Part 1
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, _M. D._
—— ——_Opiferq; per Orbem Dicor_,—— Ovid. Met.
_LONDON_: Printed for JAMES HOLLAND, at the _Bible_ and _Ball_, in St. _Paul’s-Church-Yard_. 1724.
_To all Learned and Judicious_ Professors _of_ PHYSICK, _as well as Ingenuous and Experienced_ Practisers _of_ MIDWIFERY.
_Most Excellent_ SOCIETIES,
I Have generally observ’d, that _Men_ address their WORKS to improper Hands; _some_ aim at _Personages_ too great, to regard them; _others_ stoop to _Men_ too unlearned, to defend them: _Some_ again make their _Court_ and apply to Persons in Vogue or in Place, and _others_ cringe and creep after _Purse-proud Patrons_: But as I pursue not the common Designs of DEDICATORS, so I have studied no subterfuges of _Flattery_, nor Flourishes of _Panegyrick_ in this DEDICATION. I know, that, whatever my _Performance_ may prove, a _substantial_ WORK will stand securely upon its own Bottom, and make its way into the World, without any _secondary Helps_; whereas a slight _Defective Piece_ will fall and be quash’d, tho’ it should even _strut_ with MAJESTY itself in its glaring _Front_.
Had I then presum’d upon any particular VOUCHER for the FEMALE PHYSICIAN, it would have look’d like acknowledging _Guilt_ and seeking for _Defence_; Because _You_, and none else, are the _competent Judges_ in Affairs of this Nature: GOD having entrusted _you_ only with the _Lives_ of Men; and _you_ (under HIM) being the Sole _Preservers_ of LIFE and the great _Distributers_ of HEALTH, I have thought it my _Duty_ to make this solemn Application to _your August Societies_ in general; and in this manner to render you some small _Account_ of the _TALENT_, which some of your selves have entrusted me with for _Improvement_.
In fine, your _famous Fraternities_ being universally celebrated for encouraging of _Learning_ and promoting _Ingenuity_, You are still the more highly entitled to my _Endeavours_ in both respects; and I my self in all points of _Humanity_ the more secure of your candid _Interpretation_. The _undertaking_ then being yours by _Birth_, it has a Natural Claim to your _Care_; And it being the _Duty_ of Men to provide for their _Off-Spring_, it has a peculiar Right to your _Patronage_. Wherefore, with all due _Deference_ and becoming _Submission_ to your _wiser Judgments_, I lay the DEDICATION as well as the WORK it self entirely at your Feet, in Hopes of your courteous _Reception_ and benign _Tutelage_ both at Home and Abroad: Upon which (in short) I beg Leave to Subscribe my self, with profound _Veneration_,
_Your Eminent_ SOCIETIES, Most Faithful, and Most Obedient, Servant
_John Maubray_.
THE PREFACE TO THE READER.
As the Study of _Physick_ has differ’d in every Age, according to the prevailing Opinions and Ambiguous Determinations of _Philosophers_, so the Practice of _Midwifery_ has also varied, according to the Judicious Experiments and successful Operations of _Professors_; until of late Years, by the many happy Discoveries and strict Inquiries made into the Secrets of Nature, and Natural Causes, these Healing and obstetricious _Arts_ are so much improv’d and advanc’d, that, they now seem to be arriv’d at their very Height of _Perfection_: Insomuch that both the _one_ and the _other_ stand this Day upon as sure a Foundation, and as certain Principles, as most other _Sciences_ do, which notwithstanding are not exempted from the Fate of _Casualties_.
THE Case then being so, it becomes all Men of Ingenuity and Integrity, to be also _Communicative_ of such Things, as may tend to the Welfare of their Neighbours and to the Common Good of Mankind; since according to the Excellent _Poet_,
_Scire tuum nihil est, nisi te scire hoc, sciat alter._
THIS was the Principle of the _Ancients_, who, as they discover’d the Natural Debility of the _Female Sex_, and that Women were not only Subject to all Diseases in common with Men, but also obnoxious to a vast many Distempers peculiarly singular to themselves, were first mov’d to write particular _Books_, and respective _Treatises_, upon these Heads: The most wise and divine _Hippocrates_, first breaking the Ice, after him _Diocles_, next _Aetius_, and at last many _others_; For the more Learned and Ingenious that any one found himself in his respective Age, the more readily he exercis’d himself in these difficult Points.
BUT now a-days _Women_ may well complain, and cry out with _Soranus_, “_O malè Occupatum virorum Genus, occidimur nos, non Morimur: Et ab illis, qui inter vos peritissimi existimantur, perperam curatæ, vos vero de qualibet vel levissima vestrarum Affectionum, Libros ex Libris facientes, Bibliothecas voluminibus oneratas, de Nostris inter ea diris ac difficillimis Cruciatibus, nulla vel exigua, & ea quidem satis oscitanter mentione factâ_”: That _Men_, in short, study their own Good, and take more Care of Themselves than of the _Women_.
BECAUSE then there are so many Faults and Defects in this part of _Physick_; in that the _Antients_, by reason of their precise Gravity, rendred their _Works_ either obscure, or at least difficult to be understood: As _some_ of the more _modern Authors_ have, treated them but Partially and Defectively in most respects; _others_ but transiently and indifferently, or as if they were otherways employ’d: _Some_ again darkly and briefly; _others_ so confusedly and prolixly, that we may justly say to them, as the _Lacedemonians_ did to the _Samian Legats_ of old; “_Prioris orationis vestræ partis sumus obliti, postremam ob primæ oblivionem non intelleximus_”: We have forgot the Beginning of your Discourse, and for that reason, cannot understand the latter Part.
THESE being the Reasons of this Undertaking, I shall trouble you with no farther _Apologies_ in its behalf, save only that I thought it my Duty, notwithstanding the Considerable _Charge_ and immense _Labour_, not only so far to endeavour to imitate my _Predecessors_, but also to deserve well of Humane Kind, and particularly of _English Women_: FIRST by collecting these things, which I have found clearly written by the most approved _Authors_, together with what I have conceiv’d to be true and Rational by my own painful Study, frequent Speculation, and assiduous Practice; and SECONDLY by publishing this _Praxis_ and _Analysis_ of Women’s Distempers, as they are accurately, tho’ succinctly comprehended in this small _Volume_: Yet not so briefly neither, but that most Things are consider’d and explain’d for removing _Obscurity_; nor so prolixly, that any Head is swell’d with Trifles or empty Words: And that not only in our vernacular _Tongue_, but also in a certain middle _Style_, adapted to the Capacity of the meanest _Reader_; so that if it be possible, where the _Flowers_ are thinnest Sown, there the _Fruit_ may appear the thickest; Because I have all along consider’d this to be no Work of _Eloquence_, but of _Midwifery_, or _Physick_, or _both_ together, if you please, in which I have studied the common Good, but no vain Glory.
IN composing the WORK, I have follow’d such Methods as seem’d to me the most conducive towards its Use and Design, and insisted only upon such _Topicks_, as can be most serviceable to the World, and absolutely necessary in the Practice of either of these _Arts_; without touching upon any of the pompous Superfluities, with which _Physick_, as well as other _Professions_, is now a-days over-run and embarrass’d: The _one_ I apprehended to concern my Integrity, and the _other_ only an empty Applause. But that you may be at no Loss in conceiving the Regularity of my Method, because of the variety of Subjects to be met with, I shall here delineate or draw out the _Lines_ of the WORK, and give you some distant _Idea_ of it, if possible, by a general Hint upon every _Part_ or _Section_ of the BOOK, _Viz._
IN the _first Part_, I have explain’d the History of the _Formation_ and _Animation_ of Man, together with the _Maturation_, _Nutrition_, and _Position_ of the Infant in the Womb; to which I have subjoin’d the _Anatomical_ Account of the _Membranes_ and _Waters_, as well as of the _After-Birth_ and _Navel-String_. I have likewise in this place previously set forth the Dignity and Excellency of _Man_, together with the Faculties of our _Souls_, and the Qualities of our _Bodies_; And, having initiated the whole with the Natural Proofs of a GOD, and a short Dissertation upon _Nature_, I hope none will take that amiss, because my Belief in the _one_, and the small Knowledge I have acquir’d of the _other_, are to be my _Guide_ throughout the Course of my Life, as well as my _Directory_ in the present Performance.
IN the _Second Part_, I have not only explain’d the Natural _Philosophy_ of the _Maiden-State_, and set forth the Passions, as well as the Diseases familiar to _Virgins_; but also defin’d the Power of _Imagination_, and added the Natural Reasons for the various _Likenesses_ of Children.
IN the _Third_, I have expounded the Mystery of _Conception_, together with its Diagnostick Signs: I have directed the _Regimen_ of the Pregnant Woman, and particularly set forth the various _Symptoms_ of the Months of Gestation, together with the _Acute Diseases_ incident to her in that Time. I have in the same place insisted at Large upon _Miscarriage_, and explain’d at length the _Mystical Theory_ of Birth in general.
IN the _Fourth Section_, I have defin’d the _Art of Midwifery_, and the Contemplation of its _Theoretical_, as well as its _Practical_ Knowledge: And, that _Women_ practising this _Art_, may not mistake me in what is said or recommended to them, I have also addressed my self to _Men_ professing the same _Science_; and, with all imaginable Impartiality, told them both their _Faults_ and their _Duties_, however without any intended particular _Reflection_. To which I have subjoin’d a compleat _Anatomical Description_ of the Parts of _Generation_ proper to Women; together with the Natural History of the _Matrix_ and its amazing Faculties.
IN the _Fifth_, I have ingenuously laid open the whole Mystery of _Midwifery_, as to all Sorts of BIRTHS, whether _Natural_ or _Preternatural_, and faithfully laid down the Fundamental Principles and most certain Rules of this _Profession_; and that not only according to the best _Notions_ of my own Application and Study, or the real _Dictates_ of my proper Practice and Experience; but also according to the most ingenious Precepts and infallible _Maxims_ of the ablest and most polite _Professors_ of this excellent _Art_, and that also according to its newest and latest _Improvements_: And in these _Cases_, I have neither fear’d the Invectives of the Æmulous _Zoilus_, nor regarded the Snarlings of the reprehensive _Momus_: For Wise Men are not any longer to be entertained with _Ænigmas_, since GOD hath said, _Fiat Lux_.
IN the _Sixth Part_, I have not only prescrib’d the due _Regimen_, and provided for the Safety and happy _Recovery_ of the _Child-Bed-Woman_, but also taken a suitable and corresponding Care of her _Babe_; As I have farther instilled particularly upon the various Disasters incident to both _Mother_ and _Child_, in their respective tender Conditions of _Child-Bed_ and _Infancy_.
IN the _Seventh_, I have dilucidated the _Philosophical History_ of all the different Sorts of _Preternatural Conceptions_ as well as BIRTHS; and insisted at large upon the Theme of Women’s _Sterility_ or _Barrenness_.
IN the _Eighth_ and last _Section_, I have not only defin’d the _Widow-State_, as far as it concern’d my Purpose, but also diligently pursued the _Subject-Matter_, and traced down the Particulars of their common _Grievances_.
THESE, I say, are the general Heads of the WORK, which are all again sub-divided into their proper respective Particulars; and consequently every general _Head_ or _Section_ assign’d its own relative _Chapters_, for the singular Benefit and more easy Comprehension of the _Reader_. And these _Chapters_ consisting of 130 in Number, I have, with respect to every singular _Distemper_ mentioned in them, FIRST, defin’d the Nature of the _Disease_; SECONDLY, accounted for its _Causes_; THIRDLY, I have given the _Diagnostick Signs_ or _Symptoms_; FOURTHLY, the _Prognosticks_ or Degrees of Danger; to which I have FIFTHLY and lastly added the Method of _Prevention_ in many Cases, and That of CURE in All: So that there is almost not one _Disease_ which can affect the Woman from her _Birth_ to her _Death_, in _Child_, _Maiden_, _Wife_, or _Widow-hood_, whose _Essence_, _Species_, _Differences_, _Causes_, _Signs_, and _Prognosticks_, we have not sufficiently clear’d up.
ALL these Things I have endeavour’d to be most particular in, to the end that any _Woman_, who reads, so as to be conversant with this BOOK, may know before She sends for her _Physician_, not only her _Distemper_, but also the _Danger_, with which she is threatned upon every Sickly occasion. And in these Things I flatter my self that this WORK will prove Acceptable, where such a Number of _Diseases_ and _Symptoms_ are set forth in so clear a Light, that any Person, making use of their Eyes and Reason only, without being any ways vers’d in the Practice of _Physick_, or _Midwifery_, may evidently see, perceive, and by Experience find, every individual _Case_ to answer these Ends, and the whole to correspond exactly with its _Title_ and _Contents_.
BUT upon the whole, if here and there a brief _Philosophical_ way of Reasoning has crept in, I would have you consider, that it could not be avoided; because the _Proofs_ relating to Natural Things are sometimes taken from very minute _Instruments_; And that the Design of such an _Interspersion_, is only to assist your Understanding, and conduct your Thoughts through the WORK. However in such _Cases_ the _Reader_ may go on, or pass by what does not suit with his _Taste_, as he pleases. Again if here and there, I have retain’d a _Term of Art_, which the common _Reader_ may call a hard Word, I declare it is out of no Design to amuse any one, but out of mere Necessity, since otherways I should have been ridiculously singular, and far less understood: In the mean time I have taken what Care I could to explain the most, or at least the most requisite of _These_, insomuch that whatever _Words_ or _Sentences_ of this Kind are not fully interpreted, you may slip over, without losing any thing Material of the Purport of the Matter, such Things concerning the _Practitioner_ more than the common _Reader_.
HOWEVER yet, if the Measures I have pursued in handling this uncultivated _Subject_, should not appear so exactly Methodical as some of you may expect, I shall only say for _Excuse_, that, as it belongs to hard Labour to cut out new Paths and Ways thro’ _Woods_ and _Desarts_, and where _Guides_ are wanting, to find out the shortest _Cut_; so it is only by frequent _Travelling_, that such _Roads_ can become smooth and easy, however exactly plan’d. Again farther, I would have you also to consider the Difficulty of the _Task_, to contract Much in a Little; to omit Nothing which ought to be animadverted; to join Perspicuity with Brevity; and after all, finally to reduce the whole to the certain _Precepts_ of ART.
I have incessantly perus’d the vast _Volumes_ of others, _Ancients_ as well as _Moderns_; and whatever may be found there variously dispers’d, over-strain’d, or collected profusely, without either Order, or Coherence, you’ll find here manifestly disposed, and neatly contracted in this small WORK. I have sever’d the _Grain_ from the CHAFF, winnowed the _Seeds_ from the HUSKS, and purged the _Gold_ from the ORE, to the end that I might again successfully _Sow_ what I have thus laboriously _reaped_; and digest all Things into such an easy and clear _Method_, that you’ll be at no Loss here for what you want, but may turn to it at once, whatever the _Case_ may be; you’ll read nothing twice, nor will you fall into any _Trifles_, which might either confuse, or detain you.
BUT that I may not be misconstrued or misrepresented here, give me Leave to affirm that the Design of this WORK, is not to reprehend or find Fault, with any former _Writer’s Performance_; but only to render these Things, which _others_ have either treated negligently, or indifferently, confusedly, or obscurely, the more Clear and Evident.
THIS, candid _Reader_, being the Design as well as the Reason of my _Undertaking_, according to the _Fruit_ you receive by it, Pray, repress the Minds of the Invidious; and according to the Judgment you make of its Worth, let it stand or fall in your Esteem. Not that I am so vain in the _interim_ to imagine, that the Work can stand upon the Foot of its own _Merit_; and far less can I expect that it will escape the ordinary Fate of _Censure_: No, I shall take it well, considering its _Imperfections_, if it undergoes no worse Fate, than what is common to BOOKS; especially considering that it is no ways set off with a great _Figure_, under the splendid appearance and modish Trappings of flourishing _Hypotheses_, so common among our _Modern Writers_.
THERE are many Things altogether New in our _Midwifery_, which I would have none rashly to stumble at, tho’ I know that _New Opinions_ are always suspected and generally opposed, merely because they are not already _Common_: But as I am not in any respect to press my _Notion_ of Things upon the Belief of _others_, so I desire not to establish any _Maxims_ of mine in other Peoples _Opinions_, farther than they think fit. I know the Relish of the _Understanding_, is often as different as that of the _Palate_; Hence it is that _some_ Men condemn, what _others_ approve; and _some_ despise what _others_ admire: Yea such is the Uncertainty of Men’s _Judgments_, concerning the Excellency of Things, that no _Nut_ of Learning was ever yet open’d, whose _Contents_ were allowed by all to be pure _Kernel_: And no more has any _Truth_ been yet discover’d, either in _Physick_ or _Midwifery_, which has not been question’d, and the _Detector_ exclaim’d against as a pedantick _Innovator_: But all that I shall say to these _Things_ is, that, as _Antiquity_ will never protect an _Error_ in Judgment, so _Novelty_ shall never prejudice me against TRUTH, whether of my own or other People’s _Invention_.
UPON the whole, I would in fine recommend my self to the candid _Reader_’s Benevolent and Charitable Opinion, and if in any particular Point or Respect (because we are but MEN) I may not have had the Happiness to please, or to give Satisfaction, Pray impute it not to _Sloth_ or _Idleness_, but to _Peregrination_ and _Travelling_; in which it may be well suppos’d that _Studies_ are too often interrupted. Remember also _that_ of _Pliny_, “_haud ullo in genere veniam Justiorem esse, si modò mirum non est, Hominem Genitum non omnia Humana novisse_.” For as none of us can do all Things, nor is sufficient for All; so it is Natural for _Man_ to fall, to err, and to be deceiv’d: And as we see some _Blemishes_ in the most beautiful _Bodies_, so there is nothing altogether _Perfect_, among the Works of Men.
_Farewell._
_From my House, in_ New-Bond-street, _over against_ Benn’s-Coffee-House, _near_ Hannover-Square. 1724.
_J. M._
THE CONTENTS.
SECT. I.
Chap. 1. _Of God._ Page 1 2. _Of Nature._ 4 3. _Of Man._ 6 4. _Of the Soul._ 8 5. _Of the Faculties of the Soul._ 13 6. _Of the Humane Body._ 16 7. _Of the Formation of the Embryo._ 20 8. _Of the Animation of the Fœtus._ 24 9. _Of the Maturation of the Infant._ 29 10. _Of the Nutrition and Posture of the Infant._ 30 11. _Of the Membranes and Waters._ 32 12. _Of the Secundine or After-Birth._ 33 13. _Of the Umbilical Vessels, or Navel-String._ 34
SECT. II.
Chap. 1. _Of the Symptoms peculiar to the State of Maiden-Hood._ Page 37 2. _Of Virginity._ 38 3. _Of the Virgin-Disease, commonly call’d the Green-Sickness._ 42 4. _Of Love._ 49 5. _Of Copulation._ 53 6. _Remarks upon Copulation._ 55 7. _Of the Power of the Imaginative Faculty._ 57 8. _Of the Similitude of Children._ 63
SECT. III.