Part 14

MOREOVER again, as the _Days_ of the Interval from the _7th_ to the _14th_, have but small _Power_ in dissolving _acute Diseases_; so neither have the _4th_ or _5th Months_ (which assimilate _these Days_) any _Efficacy_ tending to BIRTH. Wherefore if an unlucky _Ejection_ of the _Foetus_ happens in _these Months_, it can be no otherwise judged of, than as when _Symptomatical_ (not _Critical_) _Excretions_ fall out on DAYS not _Decretory_: Hence we (of consequence) may collect, that the very _First Time_, in which a _legitimate Term_ can be suppos’d to concur effectually, together with the _Disposition_ and _Strength_ of the _INFANT_, in case of BIRTH, will be (as _Hippocrates_ has well observed[141]) about the _182d Day_, or at the _half Year’s End_: Which (however) he calls a _Septimestrian_ BIRTH, because the _Ancients_ reckon’d their Year by _Lunar Months_, as they did their _Months_ by the Course of the MOON; whereof 13 with some _Days_ of the _14th Month_ constitute the _Solar Year_: Not that I mean they in the Interim were at all ignorant of the _Solar Periods_. And however, tho’ this _Number of 182 Days_ make but up _six Solar Months_; yet, as it comprehends _seven Lunar Months_, and almost constitutes three DECADES of _Lunar Weeks_, there can be no _Repugnancy_ in that _Wise Man’s Meaning_, whatever some literal _Interpreters_ may imagine to the contrary.

NOW this _sixth Month_ being the _second Solar Mutation_, in it the WOMB begins to be more severely oppress’d with the _Weight_ and _Bulk_ of its Burthen; for now the _INFANT_ has assum’d _Perfection_, and (perhaps) got _Strength_ sufficient to undergo its _Fatigue_ in LABOUR, and _Power_ enough to support _Life_, after its BIRTH; especially if procreated of the more vivid, valid, or excellent SEED; whose powerful _Faculty_ and vigorous _Quality_ may perhaps have perform’d the Work of _Formation_ in 30, which otherwise would require 35, or _more Days_: In this _Case_ (of consequence) the BIRTH will succeed at the above-mentioned _happy Time_; as appears more amply from what has been already set forth in SECT. 1. _Chap._ 9.

NOW from what has been said, I hope it appears highly reasonable to compute the _legitimate Time_ of BIRTH, not only by _Months_ and _Moons_, but also by _Weeks_ and _Days_: Which however yet, I look not upon to be any very full, exact, or sufficient satisfactory _Calculation_; because (I think) we have also just Reason to compute this _Time_ even by _Hours_ and _Minutes_. Therefore how just soever _Aristotle_’s Observation (mentioned by _Pliny_[142]) may be, _that no Animal expires but in the Reflux or Ebb of the Sea_; I am yet positive, that Monsieur _Paschal_’s Notion (mentioned by Doctor _Mead_[143]) _that all Births as well as Deaths fall out in the Reflux, and that no Animal is born or dies in the Flux_, may be rationally controverted: For I must needs assert that, without any regard to his _Senarian Fluxes_ and _Refluxes_, BIRTHS happen at every _Hour_ of the DAY or NIGHT: and perhaps more naturally too in the FLUX, than in the REFLUX of the _Sea_. And this, I think, may appear evident, even from the self-same Reasons by which he endeavours to make out the Contrary[144]; namely, that intermitting _Fevers_ have their greatest _Paroxisms_ in the Time of the FLUX, whereas they cease in the REFLUX by _sweating_: collecting from hence, that the Motion, Vigour, and Force of _Distempers_ are chiefly advanc’d in the _Senary_ of the FLUX; and on the contrary, that they are dissolved in the _Senary_ of the REFLUX. Which Observation, with respect to _Fevers_, this most excellent _Doctor_ has found experimentally[145] _True_, as a great many others have also done.

BUT in the _Case_ of a Woman in LABOUR, as (with Submission) I judge the _Paroxisms_ to differ from the Nature of those in a _Fever_, so I humbly conceive that the _Effect_ must prove the REVERSE. For the _Paroxisms_ in BIRTH, are nothing else than the _Pains_ or _Pangs_ of LABOUR; and who knows not that (in Case of a _natural Situation_ of the _INFANT_ and the _WOMB_) the greater _These_ are, the more _Success_ and _Expedition_ attends the BIRTH? And who again knows not, that in this Case, the more vigorous _Motion_ the _INFANT_ makes, and the more _Force_ and _Strength_ that attends the _Pains_, the sooner the DELIVERY is perfected? Which, of consequence, according to his own Opinion, will fall out in the _Senary_ of the FLUX? In fine, again I farther observe, that, as the REFLUX may be the appointed Time of Nature destinated to _Death_, so may the FLUX be allotted to BIRTH; which (in my Mind) is as opposite to _Death_, as the FLUX is to the REFLUX of the _Tide_ of the Sea.

WHEREFORE I am obliged to repeat it again here, that we ought to calculate the _Legitimate Time_ of BIRTH, not only by _Months_, _Weeks_, and _Days_, but perhaps also by _Hours_ and _Minutes_; and _that_ because, according to the Great _Galen_’s Observation[146], as the _Year_, _Month_, or _Week_ does not consist of entire _Days_, so neither does the DAY of entire _Hours_: For as the _Year_ consists of 365 _Days_, six _Hours_, and a few _Minutes_; and the _Month_ of thirty _Days_, ten and a half _Hours_; and the _Week_ of seven _Days_, two _Hours_, and twenty-seven _Minutes_; so the _Day_ (in proportion) consists of 24 _Hours_ and 21 _Minutes_: From whence I conclude (with that wise _Man_) that we can make no very nice _Computation_ in this Affair, by _full Days_, without FRACTIONS.

WHEREFORE it is that the most Learned and Inquisitive _Boethogynists_, or _Female Physicians_ maintain, that they have always observed their WOMEN to bring forth the self-same HOUR of the _Night_ or _Day_, in which they conceived: And _This_ also daily Experience seems to confirm for _Truth_; because it is certain, that most BIRTHS happen in the _Night-Time_, or _Dawning of the Day_; at which _Times_, we may very probably suppose the Generality of _Parents_ to be most employ’d that way: Whereupon, if This be True, Mr. _Paschal_’s Position will fall of course; and then that _Assertion_ of a _Legitimate BIRTH_’s requiring, not only a certain and prefinite Number of _Days_, but also of _Hours_ and _Minutes_, will more rationally be establish’d in its Room: Notwithstanding that Saying of _Hippocrates_[147] himself, after having distinguished upon the _Times_ of _BIRTH_, _That these Things fall out in a few Days more or less_.

HOWEVER, in fine, from what has been said, (I hope) the _Reasons_ I have given here, why _one Number_ of _Months_, _Weeks_, and _Days_ is more auspicious to the _BIRTH_, and more fortunate to the CHILD, than _another_, are by this Time made manifestly clear and self-evident. Now these Things being thus briefly accounted for, I must proceed in the next place (with the READER’s good Leave) to provide for and prepare the _Pregnant Woman_, against the _Expiration_ of these _Months_, _Weeks_, and _Days_.

CHAP. XXXIX. _Of the DIET and REGIMEN of the Woman, before and about the Time of BIRTH._

THO’ the _Woman_ ought to be cautious of her _DIET_ and _REGIMEN_ during the whole time of _Pregnancy_, as advis’d in _Chap._ 3. of this SECTION; yet she is now oblig’d in the _first place_ (especially from the beginning of the _9th_ MONTH) to be much more circumspect; to use nothing but FOOD of good _Nutrition_ and easy _Concoction_, of an _Aperitive_ and _Laxative_ Quality, _little_ at a time, but frequently taken.

II. SHE ought to _stir_ often, and exercise herself _moderately_, without _stooping_ or _bending_ the Body too much, lest the _UMBILICALS_ may entangle the _Infant_.

III. SHE should discreetly rest herself at certain Times, and indulge herself in composing _Sleep_; lying altogether on her BACK, not on either _Side_, that the INFANT may freely turn itself.

IV. FROM the _tenth Day_, proper Emollient and Laxative _Decoctions_ by way of BATHS, may necessarily be used twice or thrice a _Week_, for moistening the _Passages_, and facilitating the BIRTH: Or otherwise, the BELLY and proper _Parts_ need only be fomented with _Cloths_, or _Spunges_ dipp’d in such _Decoctions_, and the neighbouring _Places_ anointed with apposite _Liniments_ or requisite _Ointments_: But no _Laconick_ or _Sweating_ BATHS or BAGNIO’S, ought to be used at this _Juncture_; notwithstanding some contrary _Opinions_.

V. THE _Infant_ is to be cherish’d, and strengthen’d by proper _Cordials_ inwardly taken, as well as by outward _Applications_.

VI. THE _Room_ or _Chamber_ in which the Woman is to undergo her TRAVAIL and _Lying-In_, ought to be conveniently _temperate_, neither too _cold_ nor too _hot_: By reason that the _one_ certainly constringes and shuts the WOMB; as the _other_ dissipates and debilitates the _Spirits_.

In short, I have known _Women_, who have often had most painful, lingring, and laborious BIRTHS before; to have been LAID _afterwards_ with the greatest Ease imaginable in a very short time, by only carefully observing the _above-prescrib’d REGIMEN_. Wherefore I shall take leave to go on farther, to

CHAP. XL. _Of the Natural Causes of BIRTH, and Pains of LABOUR._

THE _Causes_ of a _Legitimate_ or timely natural _Birth_, are chiefly _Three_; viz. I. The suppressed or defective _Respiration_, by the encreasing _Calidity_ of the HEART; which defatigates the INFANT so much, that it cannot live without more free _Ventilation_.

II. PENURY or _Scarcity_ of ALIMENT; the INFANT now requiring _More_ than it can possibly imbibe from the _Mother_; and therefore it is forced to seek, what _Nourishment_ it farther requires, Elsewhere.

III. THE strict _CONFINEMENT_ of its narrow _Lodging_; the WOMB being now too little to accommodate and entertain the well-grown-INFANT: Like to the YOUNG of _Birds_ or _Fowls_; which neither finding sufficient _Aliment_ nor _Room_ in the EGG, restlessly seek for _Both_, and in vain endeavour for _Either_, until at last they break the _Pellicules_: Which as soon as the _Mother_ perceives, she scratches or pecks the _Shell_, and so brings out the oppressed indigent CHICKEN. Thus also in the WOMB, it happens not unlike; for, when the _Membranes_ break, the _Humours_ and _Blood_ flow plentifully; and upon this Occasion various _Pains_ afflict the Woman: Which are always the greater and more severe in the _First BIRTH_; because of the _Coarctation_ of the _Passages_, besides the _Party_’s being unaccustomed to such sorrowful Griefs, and penetrating Pains.

NOW the _Reasons_ why WOMEN only, are so much afflicted with dolorous _Pains_ in _BIRTH_ (the rest of the _Creatures_ being in a great measure of Proportion exempted from them) ought, as some _Divines_ would have us believe, to be ascribed only to the _SIN_ of the _First Woman_; GOD resolving (for that Reason) to punish her whole SEX, by subjecting them to those Calamities mentioned in the holy _Scripture_[148]: “_I will greatly multiply thy Sorrow_, _and thy Conception; in Sorrow thou shalt bring forth Children_, &c.”——

BUT besides this _Doctrine_, I conceive there are _Four_ very considerable _natural Causes_ that may be reasonably assign’d for it; _viz._

I. THE _DEBILITY_ of _Human Nature_, which in Time of _Labour_ requires sometimes the whole _Strength_ of the WOMAN, and sometimes that of the _INFANT_ too; and that commonly above what _Either_ can well afford.

II. THE dull _Sedentary Life_ which _Women_ generally lead and indulge themselves in; as appears plain from what I have often observed in _Germany_ and _Holland_: For the _Women_ of those _Countries_ generally accustoming themselves to some sort of active _Labour_ and industrious _Exercise_, have much easier _BIRTHS_ than any _Others_ that I know.

III. BUT one general and universal _Reason_ of it is, that the _Bone_ call’d OS COCCYGIS, which is loosely join’d to the inferiour Extremity of the _Bone_ call’d SACRUM, bending outwards during the Time of LABOUR; as the _CHILD_ advances, its _Head_ presseth the _Gut_ call’d RECTUM hard against it; which causeth most severe, acute, and extreme _PAINS_.

IV. ANOTHER principal and universal _Reason_ of it, is, the BULK of the _Head_ of the _INFANT_; which (according to _Albertus Magnus_) is equal in the time of _BIRTH_, to the rest of the _Whole Man_; causing a violent _Dilatation_ of the WOMB, that is very _strait_ in comparison of this BULK; and _That_ being a very sensible _Membranous Composition_, _This_ must (of Necessity) occasion most grievous and almost intolerable _PAINS_. Whence I come to

CHAP. XLI. _Of the CAUSES of a sooner, or later BIRTH._

MANY great Men have written and answer’d promiscuously on this _Head_, suggesting a vast Variety of _Reasons_ for it: But as _Every One_ is left to think and judge the Best he can for Himself, so I shall (in this place) only animadvert upon _Those Causes_, which I most entirely approve of; and as they are _Fivefold_, so I think, they either depend upon the _Genital Seed_; the _Formative Faculty_; the _Temperature_ of the WOMB; the _Constitution_ of the WOMAN; or the _Influence_ of _Superiour Bodies_.

I. THE _natural Cause_ may depend upon the SEED: Because as there is among GRAIN several _sorts_, some of which fructify and ripen in _Three_, some in _Four Months_, and others which require much _longer Time_; so it may be also in _human_ SEED, that it may differ as much in its Kind. Which Truth is very evident from what has been frequently observed, that _Women_ bring forth the _Children_ of different FATHERS, at different Times; whereof I shall only mention the remarkable Instance of _Vestilia_[149]: who was thus deliver’d of _Three Children_ to her _Three several Husbands_, HERDITIUS, POMPONIUS, and ORSITUS, all noble Citizens of _Rome_: _viz._ Of the _one_ in the _7th_, of the _other_ in the _11th_, and of the _last_ at the Expiration of _8 Months_.

II. THE _natural Cause_ may also depend upon the _FORMING FACULTY_; so far, as the _Formation_ and _Perfection_ of the _FOETUS_ depend upon its _Strength_ or _Debility_: For as it may be evidently observ’d after the _BIRTH_, that _some Children_ grow a-pace and very suddenly; _others_ (because of a _sickly Constitution_) thrive but very little, and grow slowly; so it happens also with the _FOETUS_ in the WOMB: for the _stronger_ that this _Faculty_ is, the sooner _Formation_ is perfected, and consequently the sooner the _BIRTH_ follows successfully.

III. THE Natural _Cause_ again may depend upon the _Temperature_ of the WOMB: Because that the _Woman_ (being the only _one_ of all Creatures which tolerates _Copulation_ during the time of _Pregnancy_) may be, by its frequent or immoderate _Use_, disorder’d in that noble _Part_; which may infallibly confound and pervert the regular TIME. For as the BUDS of _Vines_ cherish’d in the Bosom of the _Earth_, may be easily cut or dissipated by the _Plough_; so as at least to alter the TIME of _Fructification_, if not quite to destroy _Them_: So it is not very unlikely with the INFANT in the WOMB; and therefore wise _Nature_ (sollicitous of _Propagation_ and _Preservation_ of the _Human_ FOETUS) will not allow that a _Woman_ should have one _precise Time_ of _BIRTH_.

IV. THE Natural _Cause_ may also depend upon the _Constitution_ of the MOTHER, so far as her _Habits_ of Body, and _Way of Living_, are conducive (or _not_) to the _Maturation_, _Perfection_, _Strength_, or _Debility_ of the _INFANT_.

V. AND finally, the _Cause_ may depend upon a _superiour Influence_, in so far that, as we see with our _Eyes_, such _Grain_ as is _sowed_, and such _Plants_ or _Trees_ as are _planted_ in the _Interlunium_, or _silent Moon_, and before _Full-Moon_, to fructify and _ripen_ sooner than others: Or, as we see and perceive our very _Nails_ and _Hair_ which are _cut_ in that Time, to _grow_ faster and sooner, than what is so _cut_ after the _Full-Moon_: So we may as easily comprehend by our _Reason_, that these _Times_ may have the same Natural _Effect_ in the[150]_Human Seed_. And as then the _Parts_ are more _Succulent_, and the _Generative Virtue_ more _excitated_, not only in the _Human Seed_, but also in all other _Seeds_ and _Roots_, what wonder is it, that the _Womb_ be also more _efficacious_ and _prestant_ at the same _Conjuncture_?

This I take to have been _Pliny_’s[151] Meaning, saying none are _born_ in the 7th Month, but they who have been _conceiv’d_ in the very _Change_ of the _Moon_, or within a Day of it, under or over. Hence I may justly observe, that all _slower Births_ have been _begotten_ at opposite Times; for which, I think, I have also sufficient Authority from[152]_HIPPOCRATES_ himself, saying, when a _Woman conceives_ after _Full-Moon_, that _Conception_ must, of Necessity, reach the 11th Month.

HAVING thus far (according to the Best of my Judgment) dilucidated these _Cases_, and having hitherto conducted the _Woman with Child_, and brought her safe this Length, thro’ all the _Difficulties_ she has been expos’d to, and the many _Hardships_ she has met with in her _Gestation_ or _Bearing-Time_, to the compleat _Number_ of her _MONTHS_, or precise _Time_ of her _LABOUR_: It remains now, that I should also direct her _Safety_ upon that emergent Occasion; since if we should now lose our good and fruitful _Woman_ at last, all our previous _Pains_ and _Care_ have been _Labour in vain_, and nothing but _Frustration_. But, because the _Work_ of _DELIVERY_, does not always depend upon the _Woman_ herself, and but seldom in these _Countries_, upon the _Physician_; before I commit her to the _Hands_ of the rude or unskilful, (whether _MAN_ or _WOMAN-MIDWIFE_) I shall in the next Place, (with all due _Deference_ to my _SUPERIOURS_, especially the eminent _Professors_ of _Physick_, and _Practisers_ of MIDWIFERY in the _City_ of _LONDON_) endeavour to instruct such Persons in the _Fundamentals_ of their _ART_, and to qualify them with the necessary _Knowledge_, and indispensible _Duty_ of their _BUSINESS_.

IN fine, I shall attempt now to perform This _Undertaking_ in the plainest and most succinct _Terms_ following.

SECT. IV.

CHAP. I. _Of MIDWIFERY._

BIRTH, and whatever may depend of, take Rise from, or have any antecedent, concomitant, or consequent Relation to it, is the only proper Business of MIDWIFERY, and justly deemed the common Boundary of the _Knowledge_ and _Practice_ of the MIDWIFE.

WHICH _Art_ of MIDWIFERY is (in itself) as excellent and ingenious, as its _Practice_ is useful, and absolutely necessary to the _Commonwealth_; insomuch that this will admit of no _Contradiction_, when we rightly consider the following few, but important, general _Heads_, to which I reduce it throughout this Work, _viz._

I. THIS _Art_ distinguisheth a _Fertile_ from a _Sterile_ or Barren WOMB; it supports and corroborates the _one_, and rectifies and cures the _other_, in most (if not in all) _Cases_.

II. IT distinguisheth an impregnated from an unconceived WOMB, a real from a false _Big-Belly_, and a natural from a preternatural _CONCEPTION_.

III. IT teacheth the _Regimen_ of the conceived Woman, for averting the Severity of the SYMPTOMS of the several _Months_, and all acute _Diseases_, in order to strengthen the _Infant_, and prevent any MISCARRIAGE.

IV. IT instructeth by the _Touch_ or _Handling_ only, to discover, from time to time, the true _State_ and Condition of the _Conceived Woman_, not only during the Time of _Pregnancy_, but also before and in the time of LABOUR.

V. IT immediately (in the beginning of LABOUR) discriminates a _Natural_ from a _Preternatural_, and an _easy_ and _speedy_ from a _difficult_ and _lingring_ future BIRTH.

VI. IT presently discovers any _one_ or more of the many different, general, or particular _CAUSES_ of _difficult_ or _preternatural_ BIRTHS.

VII. IT informeth the fair _Practiser_ how to remove and correct those _CAUSES_, and deliver the _Woman_, not at all by _butcherly Instruments_, but by _Judgment_ and _Help_ of HAND only.

VIII. IT sheweth not only how to extract _dead Children_, and sometimes MONSTERS, but also false _Conceptions_, _Superfœtations_, _Moles_, &c.

IX. AND Lastly, this ART teacheth the true _Regimen_ of the _CHILD-BED-WOMAN_, and her _BABE_, together with the proper _Methods_ and _Means_ of _HELP_ in all Cases incident to them _Both_.

THESE _Heads_ (I think) fully comprehend the whole _Art_ of MIDWIFERY: And what can be more _ingenious_ now? What can be more _conducive_ to the common Good, or more _serviceable_ to any Country, than the Preservation of the _Health_ and _Lives_ of its multiplying _WOMEN_ and _CHILDREN_?

THIS _Art_ has been in such _Esteem_ among the _ANTIENTS_, that it was (in all Ages) the _Study_ of the most Learned PHYSICIANS; tho’ its _Practice_ succeeded best only, first in _France_, then in _Italy_, and afterwards in _Germany_. For in these _Countrys_ their _Women_ of all Ranks (the most Precise and Virtuous) have accustom’d themselves (upon this Occasion) to lay aside all _childish Bashfulness_ and _imaginary Modesty_, in order to secure their _Own_ and their _Childrens_ Safety, by inviting the _Assistance_ of _both SEXES_. And indeed _MEN_ (whom I may justly call the truest and best _Boethogynists_) being better versed in _Anatomy_, better acquainted with _Physical Helps_, and commonly endued with greater _Presence of Mind_, have been always found readier or discreeter, to devise something more _new_, and to give quicker _Relief_ in Cases of _difficult_ or _preternatural BIRTHS_, than common _MIDWIFES_ generally understand; By which means it comes to pass, that this ART is now brought to its greatest _Perfection_ in these _Countries_: Insomuch that, if I might be allowed to adopt a _new Term_ into our Language, instead of _MAN-MIDWIFE_, which seems to be a Contradiction in _Terms_, I would call him the ANDRO-BOETHOGYNIST, or _Man-Helper of Woman_, for his excellent Skill in _MIDWIFERY_.

MOREOVER, the _Authors_ of these Countries have not been remiss, in communicating their _Experience_ and _Methods_ taken to prevent and remedy the many various _Difficulties_ which have occurred in this nice Affair. No, _Senertus_, _Rod. à Castro_, _Viardel_, _Mauriceau_, _Portal_, _Daventer_, _Bartine_, _Garofanzzo_, _Pfizerus_, &c. have promerited our immortal _Praises_ as well as _Thanks_, for such famous and generous Instances as they have given of their great _Beneficence_ to _MANKIND_.

THE _Four latter_ have made vast _Improvements_ of this ART: but particularly, the most Learned, Ingenious, and excellent PHYSICIANS, and _Men-Midwives_, (as vulgarly called) Sig. _Garofanzzo_ and _Pfizerus_ (my most honoured _Instructors_ in this ART) have absolutely perfected the WORK begun by _others_; for their Rules are firmly founded on sound Anatomy, and their _Doctrines_ are more extensive, particular, plain, and infallible, than all their _PREDECESSORS_ Discoveries.

THEY explain this ART upon firm _Mathematical Foundations_, and solid _Demonstrations_ of Truth. Besides they give many new, and most necessary _Directions_, in regard to _Touching_ or _Handling_ of Women; whereby _MIDWIVES_ may not only foresee all _Difficulties_, which can possibly happen, but also prevent them in due Time.

THEIR great _Ingenuity_ and _Dexterity_ in this _ART_, has (to the Glory of _GOD_ Almighty’s good _Providence_, and the Honour of their own _Profession_) rendred the _Use_ of INSTRUMENTS, not only needless and superfluous, but also odious and ridiculous. They instruct us how to remedy the most difficult _Occurrences_, by a right _Understanding_ of the Business, and a nice subtile skilful _HAND_ only, without any manner of other _INSTRUMENT_; excepting only in the Case of a _MONSTROUS_ or _dead BIRTH_.