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

THE mediate Causes are Material; and this Matter[^[66]] (almost all Physicians agree) is frigid. From hence it is certain, that the Distemper proceeds from Crudities, and Victuals of a crude Juice; such as Pulses, Cheese, Tarts, Fish, and all other Sorts of the like frigid and humid Qualities: But these are only to be reckon’d concurring, not efficient Causes.

THE most common material Cause is, according to Galen[^[67]], the Bile; which, seeking for Vent at the Mouth of the Stomach, is the Cause of these Symptoms, and is[^[68]]properly to be educed or evacuated by a due Vomit.

BUT in Case of Vapours, Heat is always the efficient Cause, elevating them from the peccant Matter; since a Cold, or a refrigerated Body, can never engender Vapours or Wind from any Material Cause.

I shall not now enter upon the particular Diagnosticks of this Distemper, because they are as Various, as the Causes, and affected Places are different. Let me observe only, that the simple Vertigo is easily known by the Imagination of the Circular Motion of the Patient’s Head, or That of external Objects, or by vitiated Seeing and Hearing.

BUT the Scotomia differs from the Vertigo, in that besides the Imagination of the circular Motion, the Patient often loses his Sight, staggers, tumbles, or falls to the Ground. And yet the same is distinguished from the Epilepsy, in that the Patient retains his principal Functions, and neither Foams at Mouth, nor is Convulsive.

HOWEVER, as to the Distinction of Causes, if the internal Cause proceeds from Calidity, it is known by the hot Temperament of the whole Body, as well as by a Swelling and Pulsation of the Arteries about the Throat: Besides that this Vertigo easily accedes and recedes, it is always attended with Calidity and Redness of Face and Eyes; with Watchings, Deliriums, &c: And it commonly follows Fevers, Watchings, Anger, the Use of Calids, hot Things, &c. In which Cases, it is always to be helped by the Use of Frigids, or Coolers.

IF it arises from frigid Flatulencies, the Paroxysms or Fits are preceded by a Hissing or Tingling in the Ears; the Patient turns pale and wan, and is taken with an odd extensive Pain of the Head: And if these Flatulencies generate in the Head, the Party feels it ponderous, lumpish, and heavy; and is consequently much inclin’d to Sleep, Stupidity, Dullness, and Inactivity.

IF the Distemper is derived from a flatulent Stomach, the PATIENT is troubled with Rifting and Rumbling of the Belly; with Sobbing and Sighing, with Hickups, Yawnings, Extensions, Inflations, and frequent Spittings.

IF it comes from a Mordacity of the Mouth of the Stomach, the Party is infested with a Nausea, Loathing and Fastidy; with a Dejection of Appetite, a lasting or frequent Thirst, and a Bitterness of the Mouth. But this Affection also very often proceeds from the Womb, and that either because of the suppress’d Menstrua, or longretain’d Seed; as will hereafter more fully appear in Sect. ix. Chap. 8.

AS to the Prognosticks of this Distemper, it does not always seem Dangerous, much less Lethal, at first; but its Consequences are (however) very Fatal[^[69]], if not timely prevented: For it often turns to Inflammations[^[70]] of the Head, or Convulsions; sometimes to Melancholy or Madness; and sometimes to Epilepsies or Apoplexies.