The Female Physician / Containing all the diseases incident to that sex, in virgins, wives, and widows; together with their causes and symptoms, their degrees of danger, and respective methods of prevention and cure: to which is added, the whole art of new improv'd midwifery; comprehending the necessary qualifications of a midwife, and particular directions for laying women, in all cases of difficult and preternatural births; together with the diet and regimen of both the mother and child.

by John Maubray

CHAP. IX.
Of a DIARRHEA, or LOOSENESS.

A Looseness, in my Sense, is an immoderate, frequent and sudden going to Stool: in which the liquid and diluted, as well as sharp and peccant, Excrements are voided, which is commonly preceded by the Belly-ach and Gripes.

IT differs from a Lienteria, in that the Excrements are not indigested, unaltered, or Chylous, nor the Stools so quick after Meals: As it also differs from the bloody Hepatick, and Hemorrhoidal Flux, in that no Blood, Matter, or Liquor like that, in which Meat may have been wash’d, is voided with the Excrements.

SOME Loosenesses are call’d Bilous, when so much of the sharp Gall is expell’d as tinges the Excrements Yellow, however mix’d with other serous Matter: Others are call’d serous and pituitous, in which viscous watery Humours, less impregnated with Gall, are frequently and copiously voided.

THIS Symptom may proceed from a great Variety of Causes: For an Error committed accidentally in eating or drinking, or any Irregularity in the way of Living may occasion it. [^[62]] HIPPOCRATES and many others, justly observe this Case to be dangerous; because it not only relaxes and debilitates the Body of the Woman, and Ligaments of the Infant; but also necessarily impairs its requisite Nourishment, and provokes Nature to an untimely Expulsion of the tender Fruit. Which unhappy Consequence ought (by all means) to be prevented, if possible, and the grievous Affection to be cured without any Loss of Time: Now I presume That may be done first, by gentle Abstergents and Corroborants; and Then afterwards by proper Restringents and Strengthners.

CHAP. X.
Of the TOOTH-ACH.

THE Cause of this Symptom, proceeds from the sharper part of the Humours; which, ascending to the Head, vitiates the Blood, and thence occasions a effluxion of Rheum upon the Teeth: So that This vitious Rheum fixing itself at some of their Roots, affects the Membranous Parts so sensibly, that instead of a small Ach, it proves a great Pain, and almost intolerable Torment to the Sufferer.

THIS ill Affection may also proceed from some Frigid or Calid, Serous or Salt-Humour, falling down upon the Membrane of the Jaws, or Nerves of the Teeth: Where, if it corrupts and lies putrefying, it commonly engenders Worms.

IN all which Cases, I humbly conceive, it may be cur’d by Variety of respective Means, according to the different Quality of the Cause, whether Frigid, Calid, Serous, Saltish, or Acrimonious: Otherways it ceases (of itself) in process of Time, by good Conduct and keeping warm, &c.