Part 12
IF it happens from a _PLETHORY_, the too much abounding _BLOOD_ is to be circumspectly lessened: As the Humours are to be judiciously evacuated, if it arises from a _Cacochymy_; and all Causes affecting the Spirits and Humours are to be carefully removed and avoided.
DISEASES of the whole _Body_ are to be prevented as much as possible, by a _Regularity_ of proper _DIET_ and _REGIMEN_ of Health; but whenever _These_ are incident, they ought to be cured, as the _Nature_ of the _DISEASE_ and _CONSTITUTION_ of the _Woman_ will prudentially permit.
IF _ABORTION_ happens from any _Cause_ on the part of the WOMB, _that_ must absolutely be removed before _CONCEPTION_, and resisted afterwards during the _FOETURA_, by the discreet _Use_ of proper Means.
IF it arises from any _Cause_ of the _Neighbouring Parts_, that is to be carefully managed or avoided, and _prevented_ more easily than _cured_.
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.
AS it is an _Auspicious Crisis_ which happens any Time of the _Critical Day_, whether anticipated or postponed by a few Hours: And as the _Fruit_ of _Trees_ have their constituted Time of _Maturity_, which notwithstanding some are perfected sooner, and some later; so (I think) it may be also in the present Case of _Births_.
HOWEVER yet, to go a little further, without Offence: As to the _Legitimacy_ of _BIRTHS_, I don’t see any Reason why every _Birth_, producing a _vital Child_, may not be justly esteemed timely _lawful_, whether it be of the _seventh_, _eighth_, _ninth_, _tenth_, or _eleventh Month_: But because few of our antient and learned _Predecessors_ have been inclined to admit any standing _RULE_ of such a large _Extent_, in this _CASE_ we shall be far from desiring to establish any _New One_, or advance any _Paradox_.
I SHALL therefore (in this Place) only touch upon _That_ which most _Authors_ seem to have agreed upon, and reckon the most common _Legitimate Birth_; namely, which happens (at the soonest) about the _260th_ _Day_ from _CONCEPTION_, being the _first_ of the _38th_ _Week_, or the _20th_ of the _ninth Month_; as it doth also sometimes fall out (_ten Days later_) about the _270th_, when it is neither _too soon_, nor _too late_; and which likewise (at the latest) happens before the _280th_ _Day_; that is, the _last_ of the _40th_ _Week_, or the _10th_ _Day_ of the _10th_ _Month_.
BUT _This_ (if I may be permitted to speak my Mind) depends much upon the _Time of Conception_; it being my Opinion, that if the Woman did conceive when _recently purged_, I mean shortly after the natural Flux, she may _bring forth_ in the beginning[111] of the _9th_ _Month_; whereas, if when the _Menstrua_ were almost ready to _flow_, towards _its Close_, or later: And if in the _Interval_ betwixt these Times, she may _produce her Child_ in the _middle_ of the Month: Because as _Plants_ or _Corn_ arrive much sooner to _Maturity_ after the _New_ than after the _Full-Moon_, so it may be also with the _Fœtus_, because of the more or less _Vigour_ of the _Womb_.
HOWEVER, in short, it is to be observed, that in all these _Cases_, we may commonly allow a few _more Days_ for the _GIRL_ than the _BOY_, as appears from _Sect._ I. _Chap._ 9.
AND, in fine, according to the Opinion of the most Learned and Curious _Practisers_ in _MIDWIFERY_, this _BIRTH_ happens always[112] at the _self-same Hour_ of the _Day_ or _Night_, in which the _Woman_ CONCEIV’D: So that from hence it is, that most _BIRTHS_ happen in the _Night_, or Dawning of the _Day_; wherefore they All agree, that a _Legitimate BIRTH_ requires not only a certain definite Number of _Days_, but also of _Hours_, &c. To proceed therefore to
CHAP. XXXII. _Of an ILLEGITIMATE BIRTH._
AS an _Illegitimate BIRTH_ also respects _TIME_, so _That_ is only to be call’d so, which happens _before_ or _after_ the _TIME_ instituted by the _Law_ of _Nature_. Hence all unhappy _ABORTIONS_ belong to this _Head_; which being largely handled (apart) in the _Chapter_ just aforegoing, I shall only here cursorily touch upon _That_, which (in a distinct sense) is accounted an _Illegitimate BIRTH_.
THAT I may the better define _This Sort_ of _BIRTH_, I shall _first_ observe, that _Nature_ has instituted Nothing _rashly_, nor in _vain_, neither does it ever act by CHANCE. _She_ having then limited a certain TIME (however at large) within which all _Legitimate BIRTHS_ happen, and all _vital Children_ are born; of consequence, whatever happens _before_ or _after_ that _Time_, is an _Illegitimate BIRTH_, and seldom or never produces a _Living_ or _Lively_ CHILD.
HOWEVER, _Vallesius_[113], _Cardanus_[114], and some _Others_ relate divers strange Precedents, and affirm that they have known and seen _Children_ born in the _fifth_ and _sixth Months_, which have liv’d to the Years of Discretion; It is notwithstanding my Opinion, that _Those great Men_ giving ear to the frivolous _Relations_ and idle _Reports_ of _simple Women_, have suffer’d their _Credulity_ to impose so far upon their better _Judgments_. And I am besides the more induc’d to think so, because since _Their days_, we have not heard of any _one Example_ of this wonderful _Kind_, which deserv’d the least _Notice_ or _Credit_.
BUT there are _Others_ again; who (in a manner) ridiculing these _Instances_, fall into grosser _Absurditys_ themselves; denying the LEGITIMACY of a _seven_ or _eight-Months BIRTH_; yea, _Some_ even of a _Ten Months_, after the _Tenth Day_, as well as of all _posteriour BIRTHS_. Upon which erroneous _Mistakes_, (if it may be without Offence permitted) I would freely offer my _simple Judgment_, in manner following: and thereupon, _First_,
CHAP. XXXIII. _Of a Seven-Months BIRTH._
TO prove the LEGITIMACY of this _BIRTH_, and the _Possibility_ of this _Month_’s producing a _vital Child_, I need not confine myself to the _Judgments_ of the most Wise and Divine _Hippocrates_, _Galen_, and _others_, nor to the _Principles_ of PHYSICK in particular: but may justly appeal to All the rest of the _Liberal Arts_ and _Sciences_, which (as far as I am duly acquainted with them) generally agree in _Defence_ of This Position.
IT is (however) certain, that the CHILD born _before_ the _Twentieth Day_ of this _Month_ is commonly _weak_ and _infirm_. And for that Reason the _later_ the _BIRTH_ happens in the _Month_, the more _brisk_ and _lively_ is the CHILD: As I have more than once observ’d, that the _Latter Part_ (about the _210th_ _Day_ from _CONCEPTION_) hath produced as sprightly vivacious _Children_ as any at All. Wherefore, in short, I cannot help having full as good an Opinion of such a CHILD born about the _last_ of the _SEVENTH_, as of any such born in the beginning of the _Ninth Month_, provided it be not expell’d by some _preternatural Cause_.
TO examine this nice Matter a little more clearly, let us inspect into the _Nature_ and _Quality_ of the Month: In order to which, I hope, we may rationally observe,
I. THAT (according to the best _Astrologers_) the latter of the PLANETS, (the _Moon_) influentially presides over the INFANT in this _Month_; whose frigid and humid _Qualitys_ are thought to afford the several _Parts_ of it a certain _Fatness_, thereby relaxing and easily distending the MATRIX: Which being done, and the CHILD now perfected by the whole Body of the PLANETS, that have _All_ particularly (in their order) duly discharg’d their respective _Functions_ towards its Perfection; provided it has a Competency of _Strength_ and _Vigour_, it forwardly appears about the Close of this _Month_ with great _Ease_ and _Facility_, and may continue both _Healthy_ and _Lively_ after its _Birth_.
II. THIS is universally acknowledged to be a _perfect_ and _compleat_ NUMBER; from whence _Cicero_ calls it _NODUS OMNIUM_, or the _Knot of all Things_. As the Wise _Pythagoreans_ justly term it otherwise the _Vehicle of Man’s Life_: Not only because that, according to the _Violence_ of any DISEASE, and the _Strength_ of the PATIENT, a _CRISIS_ happens either in the _Seventh_, or the _multiply’d Seventh Day_; but also because, as CONCEPTION is certain upon _Seven-Hours Retention_; and the Work of _Coagulation_ perfected in _Seven Days_, so may That of full _Maturity_ be in _Seven Months_, and accordingly this _MONTH_ may very reasonably produce _vital Children_. But by the way,
HOWEVER fictitious such things as savour of _Astrology_, may be reckon’d by _Some_, yet who knows not that the _Seventh Hour_, and _Seventh Day_ after its _BIRTH_, determines the CHILD either to _Life_ or _Death_? Who does not well know, That in the _Seventh Month_, its TEETH begin to break out and appear? That in the _Seventh Year_ (according to _Plutarch_) it changes its TEETH? Who does not find, That[115] the _Age of Man_ depends upon _SEPTENARY Mutations_? That the _First Seven Years_ conclude his INFANCY; as the _Second_ finish his PUERITIA, or _Childhood_; and the _Third_ compleat his ADOLESCENTIA, or _Youthful Growing Age_? To which his JUVENTUS, or more vigorous _Youthfulness_, succeeds; which is absolv’d in _twice Seven Years_ more: For in _This Juvenile_ Age, the _Body_ attains to its full STATURE; as the _Bones_, _Membranes_, and _Fibres_ arrive to their due Solidity.
THIS again is succeeded by the _Fifth_, call’d VIRILITAS, the _Virile_ or _Manly Age_; consisting of _twice Seven Years_ more, being in all _Seven times Seven Years_: In which MANHOOD, the _Facultys_ of the MIND, as well as the _Strength_ of the BODY, are most resplendent and perfect; tho’ in almost All _Women_, the _Generative Power_ begins to cease at this AGE, as their TERMS commonly do, however, not without a great _Disorder_ of the Motion of the BLOOD.
THE _Sixth Age_ of Man, or the SENECTUS, is compos’d of _twice Seven Years_ more, and extends itself to _Sixty Three_: In _This Old Age_ the _Natural VIGOUR_ very much declines, the _BODY_ waxes both _dry_ and _lean_, the _MEMORY_ begins to fail, and the _PERSON_ grows more _Anxious_, _Careful_ and _Covetous_. As in the _Seventh_ and _Last Age_, (or DOTAGE, as it were) he becomes _Feeble_ and _Decrepit_; which generally consists of _Seven Years_ more. So that, in fine, according to this very rational and plausible _Computation_, of the Learned and most Ingenious Dr. _Sprengell_, the AGE and LIFE of MAN is commonly reckon’d to amount to _Seven times Ten Years_.
IT is also farther observable, that as the SOUL of Man has _seven_ different _Appellations_, according to its seven principal _Offices_, (as amply appears by _Sect._ I. _Chap._ 4.) so there are _SEVEN Degrees_ in the BODY, to compleat its _Dimensions_; viz. _Marrow_, _Bone_, _Nerve_, _Vein_, _Artery_, _Flesh_, and _Skin_: As there are also _SEVEN_ in Number, which (according to _Macrobius_) the _Greeks_ call _BLACK MEMBERS_; viz. the _Tongue_, _Heart_, _Lungs_, _Liver_, _Spleen_, and _Two Kidneys_, to consummate the _Compositum_. Yea, _Hippocrates_[116] himself confirms the _Efficacy_ and _Præstancy_, _Fulness_ and _Perfection_ of this Number.
I have also remarkably observ’d, that the Number _Seven_ is most powerful and signally predominant in _Cœlestials_; as the _Seven Circles_ in the HEAVENS, according to the _Longitude of the Axle-Tree_: The _Seven Stars_ about the _Artick-Pole_, called CHARLES’S-WAIN: The _Seven Stars_ also call’d PLEIADES: The _Seven Planets_, giving Names to the _Seven Days of the_ WEEK: The _Periodical Revolution_ of the MOON every _Seventh Day_, running round the Compass of the whole ZODIACK in _Four Times Seven Days_; that is, considering her _Phases_ as obverted to the SUN. And _Linus_, a most ancient celebrated Poet, sings thus:
_“Septima cùm venit Lux, cuncta absolvere cœpit “Omnipotens Pater, atque bonis, & Septima, & ipsa, “Est etiam rerum cunctarum Septima Origo; “Septima prima eadem perfecta, & Septima Septem, “Unde etiam Cœlum stellis errantibus aptum “Volvitur, & Circ’lis totidem circum undique fertur._
THIS _Number_ seems likewise to be of the greatest Esteem in _Religion_; and from hence among the _Hebrews_, to swear, is call’d _SEPTENARE_[117], (that is, to _protest_ by _Seven_:) So _Abraham_ making the COVENANT with _Abimelech_, appointed _Seven Ewe-Lambs_ for a Testimony: The _Seventh Day_ the Great _CREATOR_ rested from his Work: _Jacob_ served _Seven Years_: _Seven Days_ the People bewail’d the Death of _Jacob_: _Elisha_ (the Prophet) said unto _Naaman_ (the _Syrian_ Captain) Go and wash thy self _Seven Times_ in _Jordan_, and thou shalt be made whole, and thy Flesh become clean: And, in fine, _David_ said, _Seven Times_ a day do I praise _THEE_, because of thy righteous Judgments.
THESE, and innumerable such like _Sentences_ are not only couch’d in the _Books_ of _Moses_, and the whole _Volume_ of the _Old Testament_; but also expresly contain’d in the GOSPEL, and interspers’d through the whole _Bulk_ of the _New_: As the _Seven Beatitudes_, the _Seven Virtues_, the _Seven Vices_, the _Seven Petitions_ of the _LORD’s PRAYER_, the _Seven Words_ of our _SAVIOUR_ upon the _Cross_, &c. But besides, in the _Apocalypse_ or _Revelation_ of St. _JOHN_, this mysterious _NUMBER_ is most frequently mention’d, to denote its _Efficacy_ and _Excellency_ of representing some _Ænigmatical_ Truth or Emblem.
MOREOVER, the _Divine Apostle_ signifies and sets forth there, the _Persecution_ of the _CHURCH_ (under the Tyrants, _Domitian_, _Trajan_, &c. which began in the _Primitive CHURCH_ in his own Days, and continued for three hundred Years, even to the Reign of _Constantine_ the Great) by the _Allegory_ of[118]_SEVEN SEALS_. He figures out the _Heresys_ of the _ARIANS_, &c. (from the Time of _Constantine_ to the Reign of _Theodosius_, being three hundred Years more) by that of[119]_SEVEN TRUMPETS_. And, in fine, he mystically alludes to the future _Plagues_ of _ANTI-CHRIST_ (from the Time of _Pope Bonifacius_, to these our present Days) by[120]_SEVEN VIALS_, according to the Interpretation of that most Learned Divine, _Peter Palladius_ Bishop of _Rochel_.
I say, with Submission to wiser Heads, that _These_ and the whole Train of those Sacred _Allegorical Allusions_ used in this _Book_, might have been as pertinently express’d by any _other Number_, as the _SEPTENARY_; were it not that, this _Number_ better implies a certain _FULNESS_ of _Sacred Mysterys_: As I think that _Number_ likewise (in all rational probability) may properly portend here, _PERFECTION_ in _Maturity_, and _COMPLETION_ in _Vitality_ to every _Full Seven-Months_ CHILD.
CHAP. XXXIV. _Of an Eight-Months BIRTH._
AS to this Point, the _Case_ indeed differs much in my Judgment from the _Former_: For tho’ I have heard some loquacious _Women_ strenuously aver the _contrary_, because of their own rash _Mistakes_; yet I cannot help being of the same Opinion still, that this MONTH seldom or never produces a _living_, or _lively_ CHILD: And that because, if the INFANT hath _Strength_ enough, it must needs appear about the _Close_ of the _Seventh Month_; but if not, the _Attempts_ are the same, according to its greater or less _Abilitys_; (as most MOTHERS may very sensibly observe in their own Conditions, by its extraordinary _Motions_ and Struggles at that _Time_) whereby it is so _weaken’d_ and _debilitated_, that it requires the _Eighth full Month_, and Part of the _Ninth_, to recover itself, and recollect its _exhausted Strength_ and _Vigour_.
ANOTHER Natural _Reason_ besides may be given for _This_; because that this MONTH is peculiar to the _Planet_ SATURN, which is an Enemy to all _Creatures_ that breath LIFE: For he now returns not with the same _Meekness_ and _Lenity_ of Influence that he used in the _First Month_ of the _CONCEPTION_, but with a far greater _Severity_ of Tyranny and Enmity; as by his _Frigidity_, lessening and extinguishing the _Native Heat_ of the _INFANT_, rendering it Unactive and Slow to _Motion_; so by his _Siccity_, constringing the _Passages_ and _Orifice_ of the WOMB: which, if so, must (of necessity) very much endanger both the _MOTHER_ and the _INFANT_.
BE this as it will, yet it is most certain, that the CHILD born in this MONTH is always very _Weak_ and _Sickly_; However if, by chance, it survives the _14th_, it may live till about the _40th Day_, when it most commonly _breathes its Last_: Yet if it also survives this _Time_, the greatest _Danger_ being then over, it may, by the means of tender CARE and ART, be brought up as _others_ are usually reared: But how _long-liv’d_ soever, or well-governed its _Health_ may be, it will still continue of a _weakly_ and _tender Constitution_ of Body, if not also half-witted[121] in Mind.
UPON this _Head_ some _Egyptian Writers_ mention, that because _Dionysius_, who was born in the _EIGHTH MONTH_, lived in the _Island_ of _NAXOS_; therefore both this _Number_ and the _Island_ were dedicated to his everlasting _Memory_; Whereupon, they say, he obtained the _Prerogative_ and _Privilege_ from the _GODS_, that the _Women_ of _NAXOS_ only, in this _MONTH_, should bring forth in _Safety_, and their _CHILDREN_ only enjoy _Vitality_.
WHICH _Fable_ may however serve to satisfy us, that they have had no better Opinion of an _Eight-Months BIRTH_, in those _Antient Days_, than the Generality of _Learned Men_ yet have in these _Modern_ Times: signifying in the main, by this comical _Allusion_ to that _little Island_ in the _Ægean Sea_, that if, peradventure, an _Octimestrian BIRTH_, by its more propitious _Destiny_, should be determined to _Life_; _that_ ought to be looked upon as something _Extraordinary_, and not laid down for any general _Hypothesis_: especially for this manifest Reason, because in all _other Nations_, such _CHILDREN_ are commonly observed to be but short-liv’d; as the _Women_, labouring with _CHILD_ at that critical[122] or fatal _TIME_, are absolutely exposed to the severest of _excruciating PAINS_, and the greatest of _imminent DANGERS_.
MOREOVER, _Hippocrates_ himself testifies, that the very _Gestation_[123] of the _eighth Month_ is the most _onerous_ and _difficult_ of all the Time, as well on account of the _Indisposition_ of the _Womb_, as by reason of the _Mother’s_ being affected by the _disturbing Motions_ of the _Infant_: Wherefore if the _Birth_ then draws on, it receives a double Damage, and suffers as well because of these _Affections_ of the _Mother_ and _Womb_, as by its own proper _Motions_ in precipitating itself.
FROM what is said, we may easily comprehend what _HIPPOCRATES_ means by that obscure[124] _Ænigma_, which some have formerly reckoned more inextricable than any _Herculean Knot_, viz. _An Octimestrian Birth is and is not_; signifying thereby nothing else than that the _Child born_ in the _eighth Month_ (in some respect) may be supposed in _Being_, but really and indeed _is not_, because it soon vanishes and _dies_.
CHAP. XXXV. _Of a Nine-Months BIRTH._
THE Generality of _Modern Writers_ have too strictly confined a _Legitimate_ BIRTH, and tied it down to this very MONTH only; and _some_ even restrain it to the narrow _Limits_ of its _Latter Half_: Both equally affirming _That_ TIME to produce the most vigorous and lively _Children_, and strenuously alledging it to be the _only_ appointed TIME of _Nature_; because (as they say) _it happens most frequently_.
BUT unless they could produce some better _natural Reasons_ than THIS, or any _others_ indeed that I have yet heard of, they shall scarce _influence_ me to agree with their popular _Notions_ or vulgar Errors: For their fond Opinion seems not to be so much supported by any _Arguments_ of _Natural Reason_, as by an _imaginary Experience_, founded upon _Hearsay_, or the _general Misconstruction_ of WOMEN.
HOWEVER, in Condescension and Good-Manners to _Female Authority_ (to which I owe all imaginable _Deference_) I shall not launch out into any immodest or disagreeable _Contradictions_; but, on the contrary, I shall endeavour to make it evidently appear from the _Nature_ of the MONTH itself, that it indisputably induceth both _Perfection_ and _Vitality_ to the CHILD, whether it be _born_ at this _Time_ or not: For I must frankly own this _Truth_ indeed, that many _Auspicious_ BIRTHS happen in this very same MONTH, for several good Reasons.