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

AS to the Causes on the Part of the INFANT, I shall refer the READER to the preceding Chapter only; as I do likewise if it comes from any SYMPTOM of the Months, or from any Acute Disease, to their respective Chapters in this SECTION.

FINALLY, If it proceeds from any Procatarctick CAUSES, either internal or external, all such are to be sedulously avoided and prevented; but whenever These happen, they are generally cured by proper ALTERATIVES of an Astringent Quality, for confirming the Ligaments; and CORROBORATIVES for comforting the INFANT, and cherishing the WOMB.

BUT supposing, at last, the Case desperate, and past all Remedy, through Negligence or Delay, that the Cure cannot possibly be effected, nor the Misfortune of Instant Abortion prevented; why then the Woman ought to be carefully comforted and strengthened, the Ligaments relaxed, the Passages dilated, and the expulsive Faculty assisted; so that the worse Consequences and greater Danger may be averted.

AND having now, in fine, thus at large treated upon the Subject of Abortion, it leads me methodically (of Course) to touch upon all other Births respecting Time; I mean Legitimate and Illegitimate Births: Which (however) I shall discuss in as Succinct Terms as I can, to oblige the Reader. And first,

CHAP. XXXI.
Of a LEGITIMATE BIRTH.

A Legitimate BIRTH respects Time only, and that is properly so called, which most frequently happens, according to the Common Law of Nature.

IT is never sufficiently to be admired as Wonderful, that Man, who is born HEREDITARY LORD of the Universe, and invested with SUPREME DOMINION over all Creatures, should, however yet, be the only one deprived of some certain definite Time for his BIRTH[^[108]]; it happening often in the seventh, commonly in the ninth and tenth, and sometimes in the eighth and eleventh Months, and That also at all Times of the Year: Whereas, on the other hand, all the rest of inferiour Creatures have their certain prefixed Times, both of carrying their YOUNG, and bringing them forth, beyond which they cannot go, nor controul the Order of NATURE.

HOWEVER, this being the Good Work and Will of the Great CREATOR, deserves more our silent Wonder and Admiration, than our bold Enquiry, or curious Scrutiny, into the REASON of it.

BUT notwithstanding, I hope, we may easily account for the Latitude of TIME allowed our Births, when we consider what has been said of the Times of Formation and Animation in their proper Places[^[109]]. If then these require a proportionable Latitude, what wonder is it that the Legitimate Time of Birth is of such Extent? Not that I mean that the rational Soul is introduced either at different Times, or by Piece-meals, only that it is not done this or that Day precisely. And farther (according to AVERROES, that great Commentator) Man[^[110]], not only in the Womb, but also after Birth, even until his Juvenile Age, is but a-generating; and from that Time to old Age he begins to decline: yet we daily see that this Change is not equal to all, in that some Men do but arrive to their most robust and vigorous State about the fortieth Year of their Age, whereas others come to that Length about the thirtieth, and most about the thirty-fifth.