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

NOW because this Affection observes Lunar Periods, and in extreme Cases, is near a-kin to the Falling-Sickness;[^[71]] Cœlius Aurelianus informs us, That it was call’d by the Ancients the little Epilepsy: And as it admits of periodical Accessions and Circulations (I mean coming and going Fits) which depend chiefly upon the Power and Influence of the New and Full-Moon; so it is to be treated with respect to Cure, in a different manner; one way in the Access, another in the Interval.

BUT this Cure is as different, as the Causes and Degrees of the Distemper are various; wherefore I can, by no means, enter upon it in this place, for Brevity-sake.

CHAP. XIII.
Of the SYMPTOMS of the middle Three Months.

THE Foetus having receiv’d a distinct Form, constituted of various Organical Members, and produced of divers substantial Matters, takes a various Situation; the different Members possessing different Places, according to the Institution of NATURE.

AFTER an absolute and compleat Conformation of Organs, the rational Soul is infus’d and adapted; which is the ultimate Perfection of the Human Foetus: By which it becomes Man and receives Life, living and subsisting henceforward by its own vivacious Faculties, distinct from those of the Mother. Now the Great and All-wise Creator undoubtedly is the only Supream, Efficient, and Immediate Author and Finisher of this noble Work; which, according to the nicest Calculation of the greatest Masters of Nature, is most commonly accomplished about the Beginning of these Middle Months: At which time, the usual Turn of Nature necessarily occasions different Effects to the Child-bearing Woman; which are call’d SYMPTOMS of the Middle Months.

AND these SYMPTOMS, in short, I reduce to the following Seven in Number; viz. 1. Coughs; 2. Palpitations or Heart-Beatings; 3. Swoonings or Syncopes; 4. Watchings; 5. Pains in the Hips and Loins; 6. Hemorrhages or Bleedings; and, 7. Fluxes of Blood. Of which, in their due Order.

CHAP. XIV.
Of COUGHS.

COUGHS are either Humid or Siccid: They are call’d Humid, when the Humours contain’d in the Aspera Arteria, of whatsoever Nature, are expell’d by its own Force thro’ the Mouth. And Siccid, or dry Coughs, when, notwithstanding great Pains and Trouble, nothing is excreted, only the whole Body fatigued by a continual irritated Endeavour to Cough and spit-out; whence arise Pains of the Head, Hypochondriacks, and other Parts.