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. XVIII.
Of HÆMORRHAGIES, or BLEEDINGS.

THESE Symptoms are to be understood to happen only from the superiour Parts; as Nostrils, Mouth, or Ears: And the Cause seems to be Three-fold: proceeding either from a more than ordinary Plenty of Blood; or from a gross Mixture of Humours and Blood, prompting Nature to Excretion; or, lastly, from a Debility and Weakness of the Infant, when not able to attract the due Quantity of Blood to its Subsistence.

IN the first Case, the Woman usually looks sanguine and well-colour’d, and hath more Plethorick Marks upon her; which, if it happens, without any great Inconvenience, as it is without Danger, the Woman may easily bear and dispense with it.

IN the second Case, the Blood so lost falls dropping away, and with Pain; it is ugly and ill-colour’d, of an acid Quality, and stinking Smell: And the Patient hath more Cacochymic Signs upon her, whereby she is threatned with Abortion and imminent Danger.

IN the third Case, the Signs of a Debilitated Fœtus, and instant Abortion, are evidently presented; as mention’d in Chap. 29, and 30, of this Section: When, if she chance to escape Miscarriage, (which most commonly happens in this Condition, if not timely and artfully prevented) a difficult and laborious Birth is the certain Consequence; and sometimes a protracted Time of Bearing to the Close of the 10th, or (as I have observ’d) to the Beginning of the 11th Month.

THIS Symptom is to be judg’d of, and cur’d according to the above-mention’d, and what other concomitating Diagnostick Signs appear.

CHAP. XIX.
Of FLUXES of BLOOD.

THIS Symptom is to be understood to happen from the inferiour Parts; namely, by way of the Hæmorrhoidal Veins, or by the Passage of the Womb, but most commonly by the Last.

THE Cause then of this SYMPTOM, happening by the Hæmorrhoids, is Three-fold; and proceeds, either from too great a Quantity of Blood abounding; or from the disorder’d and deprav’d Quality of that Blood; or from Both these Indispositions jointly: And this sanguine Affection is commonly without any great Danger (tho’ not without some Trouble) to the Woman; ceasing gradually (of itself) after a safe and successful DELIVERY.