Part 30

THIRDLY, Any _expert Woman_ may also distinguish this _Case_, by its _Motion_; which is very different from that of a FOETUS, as also from that occasion’d by a _false_ CONCEPTION as above described: The FOETUS having not only a _total_, but also a _Partial Motion_; which always differs according to the _Part_ or _Member_ moved; and is consequently _first_ perceived about the _fourth Month_: Whereas the MOLE has no distinct _Motion_; only, as the _Woman_ turns to either _Side_, she may feel it (like a STONE) falling to the same _Side_; and in her walking, she may easily perceive its _suppressing dead_ WEIGHT.

FOURTHLY, Her _Breasts_ swell, but give seldom any manner of MILK, and about the 4th and 5th _Months_, when she, who has a _Natural Conception_, is commonly best in _Health_; then the _MOLE-BEARER_ falls worse; Her _Limbs_ and _Legs_ extenuate; her _Face_ and _Skin_ are all over discoloured, as the whole _Body_ languishes; PAINS of the _Back_ and _Groins_ follow of Course, together with a Difficulty of _Respiration_; as sometimes also, _Wind_ and _Humours_ break out of the WOMB.

UPON the whole, the PROGNOSTICK of this _Case_ is, that as the _MOLE-BEARING Woman_ must in all respects, be very much discommoded, and afflicted with heavy threatning _Symptoms_, so she lives continually in Danger of her Life: And the longer she entertains this unwieldy GUEST, the more rigid it grows, and the closer it sticks to her; so that consequently, the more difficult it is to dislodge or extract this _præternatural Body_: For as the MOLE has no _Secundine_, nor _Umbilical Vessels_, but adhering by its own gross _Substance_ to the oppress’d WOMB, attracting its _Nourishment_ directly from the _Uterine Vessels_; So it also fixes it self more and more strongly, and the longer the more firmly among them, to the great Prejudice and Damage of NATURE.

NOW, as to the _Cure_, or the _Delivery_ of the MOLE, as has been said, the _sooner_ it is undertaken, the easier it is performed: And in this _Case_, I know all _Authors_ advise only, to endeavour its _Expulsion_ by _Bleeding in the Feet_, _by proper Baths_, _by strong and Acrid Clysters_, &c. in order by such like _means_, to excite or stir up THROWS to open the WOMB and irritate the _expulsive Faculty_. But for my part, I would not too much afflict the PATIENT with these uncertain _means_, especially if the _Præternatural Body_ be of any long standing; but rather at once betake my self, to that which cannot fail me, _that_ is the HAND-CURE; after Bathing, relaxing and moistening the PASSAGES with _Oils_ or _emollient Ointments_: And _This_ I would undertake, and perform after the same manner, as in the _Condition_ of a _Dead Child_, when the PAINS are altogether _Deficient_. Again farther——

I observe that, of all the _Countries_ I know, there is none, whose _Women_ are so subject to MOLAR CONCEPTIONS, as the _Provinces of Holland_: And moreover, by what I have diligently observ’d my self in those _Parts_, as well as by what I have comprehended from their most _Learned Men_, the _MOLES_ generally conceived there, are very different from _Others_ commonly conceived in _other Parts_; Insomuch that _Those_ are of a strange, astonishing, deformed _shape_, having (as it were) something in them like the _Rudiments_ of a _Work imperfectly begun_; such a _Piece_, as, for Example, a _Limner_ may draw at the first _Draught_, with a rude _Pensil_; together with something of both _Life_ and _Motion_: LIVING however only (as it were) _Vitâ Plantæ_, and moving but by _Palpitation_; as I have also seen and observ’d this _Body_ to contract it self sensibly at the _Touch_, and immediately again dilate it self perceptibly. In the _interim_ I must farther observe in this Place, that most commonly NATURE ejects these _Bodies_ happily about the _fourth Month_; however yet, not always _all_ at once, but most frequently by _Piece-Meal_ and in _Heaps_, not unlike as the PUMP does the _Bilge-Water_ out of the _Ship_.

BUT here it may be _ask’d_, why the _Dutch good Women_, should be more subject to these _Præternatural Conceptions_ than any _others_? To which I _answer_, according to the Sense and Sentiments of most of _their own greatest Men_; FIRST, that all over these _Provinces_, the very _Borders_ of the SEA are inhabited, and a World of People live (as it were) in the very _Jaws_ of the OCEAN; whose bellowing _Waves_ and tumultuous _Surges_, are not only obvious to their _Eyes_ all Day, but obnoxious also to their _Ears_ all Night long; as they continually beat upon their _Coasts_, and sometimes too near their very _Doors_: From whence these _Women_ cannot but be much affected and disturbed, if not also frighted in their very _Embraces_.

HOWEVER yet, I do not conceive _This_ to be always the CAUSE, since _MOLAR CONCEPTIONS_ are also very common in their greatest _Cities_; But as _those_ happen there most frequently among the _Sea-faring Men’s Wives_; so, I think, we may rationally account for them after this ensuing manner, _viz._ The _Sailers_ arriving from their _Voyages_, and coming Home merrily with full Sail up to their very Doors, incontinently embrace their WIVES, without having any regard to their _Natural Course_, the SILENT MOON, or any other _Circumstance_; And the honest WIVES, having perhaps long wanted their _Husbands_, make no _Procrastination_, but eagerly fall to enjoying _One Another_; the good _Women_ attracting as greedily the virile Benevolence, as _Nature_ can prompt, or as _Cerberus_ could snap at a _Piece_, or the _Hunger-starved_ a _Bit_ of _Bread_. Upon which, if no _Efluxion_ happens in the Beginning, _NATURE_ being incapable of _elaborating_ such an _unapt confused Matter_, it is converted to a _MOLE_; which (as aforesaid) is frequently cast forth about the _fourth Month_, and call’d by them _een Manekindt_, as we for the same reason call it a MOON-CALF.

CHAP. VI. _Of_ MONSTERS.

WHEN the _Parts_ destinated to the _Generation of Man_, are in all respects well constituted, NATURE in the Beginning fabricates a fair and comely _Conception_, and at last produces a _Lovely Creature_ of its own kind, absolutely perfected, and compleatly furnished with all its own graceful _Ornaments_: Whereas if any _Deficiency_, _Enormity_, _Fault_ or _Blemish_ be actually in _Those Parts_, then the _conglomerated Principles_ of _GENERATION_ are variously form’d into different Sorts of _prodigious CONCEPTIONS_ and _Monstrous BIRTHS_. However——

WITH respect to the _Variety_, as well as the _Veracity_ of this _SUBJECT_, that I may make short Work on’t, I refer the _Curious Reader_ to the WORKS of _Jacobus Ruffius_, _Cornelius Gamma_, &c. who have not only described at large, the various _Shapes_ and _Figures_ of the most remarkable _MONSTERS_ which have been Born, but also particularly noted the _Times_ and _Places_ of their _BIRTHS_; which they have authentically collected from many creditable _Authors_.

IN the small Conversation, by the _By_, which I have had either at Home or Abroad with the _Learned_, I have met with none who have deny’d the _Truth_ of this _POSITION_ in _general_; tho’ some of my _Superiors_ in this Place, have been pleas’d to contradict in _particular_, what I am just now going (and chiefly for that very reason) about to publish to the World, in the next following _Chapter_.

BUT notwithstanding that we all agree as to the _FACT_, yet I have found but few ready to discuss the proper _Causes_ of _Monstrous BIRTHS_: Only so far, that _some_ would have them to proceed immediately from the Commixture of _Humane_ with _Brutal SEED_; _others_, directly from the _INFLUX_ of the _Stars_; _Some_ again, from a vitious _Constitution_, or oblique _Situation_ of the _WOMB_; others also, from a _Lascivious_ and enormous _Act_ of _Copulation_; and _some_ at last, from the sordid and corrupted _SEMINAL Matter_ of the _Persons Copulating_. Which may be all indeed, in some respect, consentaneous to _Reason_; but notwithstanding, in speaking to such _Causes_, I think, we ought previously to consider the _Requisites_ concurring to the _Production_ of the FOETUS; what they naturally are, and how they ought to be _qualify’d_.

THE FIRST and chief of which is the _Forming Faculty_; 2ly. The _two Instruments_, by which this _Faculty_ operates, _viz._ the _SPIRIT_ or innate _Seminal Heat_, and the _Imagination_, 3ly. _The MATTER_, viz. both the _SEEDS_, and the _Menstruous Blood_; 4ly. And lastly, the _PLACE_, namely the WOMB: Whence I conclude that any _one_, or _more_, or (perhaps) all of _THESE_, degenerating from their _due state_ or _natural Qualities_, may prove the _Cause_ or _Causes_ of a _MONSTROUS CONCEPTION_, or _Æquivocal GENERATION_.

AS to the _Forming Faculty_, it never errs or fails, but always performs its _Duty_, as far as depends upon it self, or its own _Intention_; tho’ indeed it often happens to be frustrated by the _Instrumentary Causes_: As the most ingenious _Artificer_ cannot finish his _Work_, however successfully begun, without a proportionable _Metal_ to work upon, and corresponding _Instruments_ to work by; So it is, in this _Case_, with the _Forming Faculty_: Hence it is that _MONSTERS_ are also pertinently call’d, as they undeniably are, the _Works_ of _NATURE_; however degenerating from its proper _END_, that it may effect something, even such a _MONSTER_, rather than that the indigested and unalterated _Matter_ should remain in the _WOMB_, and turn either to a _MOLE_ or a _STONE_, as has often happened[205]. Which being thus consider’d, we shall find the _Error_ or _Fault_ to ly either in the _Instruments_, in the _Matter_, or in the _Place_.

FIRST then, as to the _Instruments_, of the _two_ above-mentioned, I take the _Imagination_ to have the most prevalent _Power_ in _CONCEPTION_; which I hope may be readily granted, considering how common a Thing it is, for the _MOTHER_ to mark her CHILD with _Pears_, _Plums_, _Milk_, _Wine_, or any _thing else_, upon the least trifling _Accident_ happening to her from thence; and _that_ even in the latter ripening _Months_, after the INFANT is entirely formed, by the _Strength of her Imagination_ only, as has been already manifestly set forth at large[206].

WHICH if so, Pray, what wonder is it, if the _Woman_ in time of _CONCEPTION_ (which is by far the more _critical Juncture_) should by the same reason _conceive_, and at last bring forth her FOETUS with a _Calf_’s, _Lamb_’s, _Dog_’s, _Cat_’s-_HEAD_, or the _Effigy_ of any other thing whatsoever? And _this_ the more especially, considering, that not only the _conceiving Woman_, but also the _copulating Man_, may effect the same thing; if he should imprudently set his Mind on such Objects, or employ his perverted _Imagination_ that way. Now this absurd _Imagination_ takes even place also among the very _BRUTES_, as _Lemnius_ relates[207] of a _Sheep_ with a _Seal’s_, or _Sea-CALF’S HEAD_, having no doubt seen that Animal in the critical Time of _Conjunction_ or _Conception_.

IN like manner, supposing such _Women_ to conceive in their Minds, some deformed _SPIRIT_ or _ANIMAL_, with _Horns_, _Snout_, _Wings_, _Cloven-Feet_, &c. (as has sometimes happen’d) What should hinder this _Woman_ to produce a BIRTH with these _Monstrous Marks_? THIS is also therefore very possible, but more especially, when the _Disposition_ of the MATTER acquiesces, which it certainly does when the SEED and BLOOD are impure: For, Is it not manifest to our _Eyes_, that some CHILDREN bring with them long _Hair_ and _Nails_ into the World, merely from the _Impurity_ of these _material Substances_? Then supposing the _Force_ of an absurd _Imagination_ to have seconded the _Efficacy_ of such _Sordid Stuff_, what a MONSTER might not _these_ Jointly have produced? Wherefore I shall only add upon the whole of _This_, that as such impious and foolish _Imaginations_ ought to be suppressed, so both the SEED and the BLOOD ought to be pure and temperate, to prevent such _præternatural Productions_.

NOW, as to the _Heat_ and _Spirit_ contain’d in the SEED, we may easily conceive its _Effects_, and such as have been in _Glass-Works_, and have seen GLASSES, made, may readily comprehend how MONSTERS are formed in the WOMB: For in modeling the GLASS, if the _Work-Man_ blow the PIPE too much or too strongly, the _Stuff_ is so extended, that the GLASS becomes both _longer_ and _wider_ than its due proportionable FORM; and so it may also happen in the WOMB, by an _immoderate Action_, or too great an _Extension_ or _Diffusion_ of the SEMINAL SPIRIT, which sometimes may only affect some _particular Part_, such as the HEAD, NOSE, MOUTH, EARS, _&c._ and sometimes the _whole_ FOETUS disproportionably.

SECONDLY, Hence we may rationally conclude, that a _superfluity_ of SEED, and _super-abundancy_ of material HUMOURS may, in like manner, produce _duplicated Members_, such as _Two_ HEADS, _Four_ HANDS, _Four_ FEET, _Six_ or _more_ TOES or FINGERS, _&c._ and _this_ especially, in case of the _Woman’s_ strange _Imagination_ concurring; which may easily happen, by fancying herself sometimes to _see double_ with her EYES, which _Deception_ may probably proceed from the _Concourse_ of HUMOURS, gross VAPOURS, and confused or distracted SPIRITS. And _This_ in short, it is evident, holds also good among the _other Creatures_ (IRRATIONALS) as _Lemnius_ writes[208] of himself, that He saw a _Sheep_ and a _Calfe_, each with _two_ HEADS, and a _Hen_ with _four_ FEET and as many WINGS.

AGAIN, as from the _Superabundance_ of MATTER, _Geminated Members_, or Superfluous Particles may proceed; so from the _Scarcity_ of these MATTERS, _Want_ of requisite _Aliment_, or from any partial _Invalidity_ of the _Natural Faculties_, some _Members_ or certain _Particles_ may be either maim’d and destitute of their _Natural Use_, or then (which is worse) be altogether _irregular_, _defective_, or _Unnatural_.

LASTLY as to the _Place_, I mean the WOMB, in which the _Conception_ is made; It ought not only to be _perpendicularly seated_ in the _PELVIS_, or in a _direct line_ from the _VAGINA_ upwards, but also to be well conform’d and proportion’d: Otherways, as an ugly or unshapely exteriour FORM or MOULD of _Wax_ or _Clay_, produces a corresponding deformed IMAGE cast therein; so the WOMB may as effectually be the _Cause_ of a _Deform’d_ or _Monstrous_ BIRTH. And moreover not only so, but the WOMB ought also to be in its due _Temperament_ and _Natural State_, free of all _Distempers_ and Inconveniencies, such as obdurated GLANDS, ULCERS, CICATRICES, _&c._ Otherways, as a TREE planted in _Stony Ground_, its ROOT cannot diffuse or spread it self round every way, but being cramp’d and oppress’d, it _crooks_ and _bends back_; So it is with the FOETUS in the WOMB, if oppos’d and resisted by the _Constriction_ or _Coarctation of the Place_, or by any inherent _Præternatural Substance_, its MEMBERS cannot possibly be _articulately_ and _distinctly form’d_, much less can they attain their _Natural_ GROWTH and FIGURE.

IN short from what is here said, I think, the _Notions_ of such Men, as will have MONSTERS, only and immediately to proceed from a _Coition_ with BRUTES, may evidently appear as _absurd_ as _they_ are verily _groundless_[209]: And for strengthening or backing of my _Authority_, I may add _Galen_’s own Words[210], saying, _Vel semen Humanum in Utero Equæ, vel Equinum in utero Muliebri, aut non admitti, aut admissum corrumpi_. Which is also farther confirm’d by Holy St. _Jerom_, saying,[211] _non minùs absurdum est, Animal construi ex Equo & Homine, quàm Vitem Olivæ insertam, simul vinum & oleum proserre_. Which _Doctrine_ seems also most agreeable to _Truth_, in _that_ there can be no _Affinity_ or _Concord_ betwixt _these_ Specifically different _SEEDS_, neither in their _Natural Actions_, _Aliment_, _Maturation_, _Time_, or _Manner_ of _Birth_, &c. to pass by all other _disconsonant_ or _incongruous Circumstances_.

IN FINE therefore, for these _Reasons_, I believe Nothing of the many _fabulous Relations_ extant, of the _Hippocentauri_, _Onocentauri_, _Minotauri_, &c. inhabiting the LAND, nor of the _Tritons_, _Nereids_, _Syrens_, &c. which are said to possess the SEA; tho’ indeed both St. _Antony_[212], and St. _Jerom_[213], maintain the Existence of the SATYRI and SYLVANI: But be these Things as they will, I believe, that the _Production_ of every _MONSTER_, concurs to the _Perfection_ of the _UNIVERSE_, and that sometimes such _Prodigies_, or rather _Dæmonical Illusions_, may appear, as well as _Monstrous_ BIRTHS happen, by the Will and Pleasure of the great _CREATOR_, who would thereby signify and portend something _extraordinary_, or more than NATURAL to us _Mortals_.

CHAP. VII. _Of various deformed_ CONCEPTIONS.

THE particular _Description_ of _MONSTROUS CONCEPTIONS_ in the preceding _Chapter_, leads me, of Course, to treat of _another Sort_; which I shall comprehend under the _Title_ of _Deformed CONCEPTIONS_. _This Sort_ happening almost in _all Countries_ promiscuously, tho’ in _some_ more frequently than in _others_, becomes almost in _all Parts_ Daily obvious to our _Eyes_, so that we need be at no great Pains to prove the _Reality_ of _deformed_ BIRTHS, but rather inquire into the _Causes_ of such uncouth _CONCEPTIONS_.

IN short therefore as to _these_, if we only look back and reflect on the three preceding _Chapters_, we will find the _Causes_ of the _present Case_ very evident and sufficiently manifest, if not particularly included in the _Latter_: Wherefore I have only farther here to observe, that all such _Præternatural CONCEPTIONS_, degenerate from the _Natural_, in proportion to the _Prevalency_ of their _Cause_ or _Causes_; So that the _Cause_ being less considerable in _this_, than in the _foregoing Case_, instead of a _MONSTROUS_, we have only a _deformed_ BIRTH: Such as a _Scurf-Head_, a _discolour’d Skin_, an _ugly Visage_, _disagreeable Features_, _distorted Mouth_, _crooked Nose_, _Legs_, or _Arms_, maim’d in _whole_ or in _Part_, _Tumours_, _Pustules_, or _Bubos_ about the _Groins_, &c. Which, tho’ _these_ and such like _Accidents_ may verily proceed from either of the forementioned _Causes_; Yet I think, the most common and ordinary _One_, in all Countries, is an impure and unseasonable COPULATION: Such as is not only precisely forbid by the _Express Word_ of _God_[214], but also repugnant to right _Reason_, and even to common _Sense_.

FOR who can be so stupid as not to conceive, that this _Menstruous Contagion_, will naturally (tho’ insensibly) creep into the BLOOD, invade the whole _Habit of the Body_, and tacitely infect the very _soundest Constitution_, even sometimes with the _Venereal_ Pox, or perhaps with an _Elephantiasis_, or the _Leprosy_ it self? Nor does this EVIL end always here, but such BIRTHS are also generally as perverse in the MIND, as they are _Heterogeneous_ in the _Person_; for like BASTARDS of _Nature_, they are commonly denudated, or destitute of all her laudable _Gifts_ and _Graces_, which others, her _Legitimate_ SONS, are happily born with and enjoy in Abundance.

HENCE it is, that, if they become not altogether _Jolt-Heads_, _Foolish_, or _Delirious_, they are most ordinarily otherways _Lewd_, _Vitious_, and _Licentious Persons_, if not also _envious Traducers_, and _crafty Cozeners_ of Mankind: From hence likewise the _Italians_ and _Germans_ derive a memorable _PROVERB_, which they never forget upon dealing with such _Persons_, viz. to this purpose; _Take Care of Him whom_ GOD _has marked_. For tho’ _some of Them_, are capable of undertaking _Nothing_ of any Moment, much less of accomplishing any laudable _Work_, _NATURE_ it self thwarting their _Career_ in every _Enterprize_, and the very STARS (as it were) concurring to their _Frustrations_: Yet _others_ have subtile WITT enough to scrape together (_per Fas aut Nefas_) Heaps of contemptible _Dross_, much of affinity with their own vile _Substance_; which however, seldom prevents a base or ignominious _CATASTROPHE_ to _themselves_, who are thus found established upon such a _præternatural_ BASIS of _Pollution_.

IF then _these_ be the direful _Consequences_, how unreasonably cruel are such _Parents_, who thus by Enterprising the Work of _PROCREATION_ without _humane Decency_, and contrary to the very _Institution_ of _NATURE_, involve their _Posterity_, in such miserable _Calamities_? But this sort of BIRTHS, I have also diligently observ’d, happens most frequently in _Holland_, and _that_ chiefly for the _Reasons_ and _Causes_ mentioned in the foregoing _Chapter_. Which _Observation_ leads me to the following _Matter of_ FACT, which (without any intended _Reflection_, or _Reproach_ upon any particular _Country_, or rather, as _this_ would be, upon _Human Nature_ it self) I shall ingenuously relate, not only to clear up the _MYSTERY_ of a certain _Truth_, which I have found, to be _controverted_ in this Place, and _that_ even among some of the more _Learned_ themselves; but also for _Morality_ and _Instruction_ sake to the _Reader_ in particular, and for the _common Good_ of _Mankind_ in general, _viz._——

THAT these BIRTHS in those _Parts_, are often attended and accompany’d with a _Monstrous little Animal_, the likest of any thing in Shape and Size to a MOODIWARP; having a _hooked Snout_, _fiery sparkling Eyes_, a long _round Neck_, and an acuminated _short Tail_, of an extraordinary _Agility_ of _FEET_. At first _sight_ of the World’s Light, it commonly _Yells_ and _Shrieks_ fearfully; and seeking for a _lurking Hole_, runs up and down like a _little Dæmon_, which indeed I took it for, the first time I saw it, and _that_ for none of the _better Sort_. Moreover——

THE following _accidental Passage_ is so remarkable, that I cannot pass it by, in order to satisfy and convince _others_ of this admirable TRUTH; Namely, that, not many Years ago, in coming from _Germany_ over East and West _Friesland_, to _Holland_, I took Passage in the ordinary _Fare-Vessel_, from the City of _Harlingen_ for _Amsterdam_, over what they call the _Zuyder-Zee_; Which is commonly reckon’d a _Voyage_ of 10 or 12, Hours, tho’ at this Time we happen’d to be near 36 Hours on our _Passage_. Amongst the better Sort of the _Passengers_, who possess’d the _Cabine_, there happen’d to be a _Woman big with Child_, of a very creditable _Aspect_, who afterwards told me, that She was bound for _Amsterdam_, on purpose to buy some Necessaries for her _lying-in_ at the easiest rate; when in the _interim_, the good Provident _Woman_, was taken all at once, aboard the _Ship_, with a sudden and surprizing LABOUR: Upon which occasion, in short I immediately lent her a _helping Hand_, and upon the _Membrane_’s giving way, this forementioned ANIMAL made its wonderful _Egress_; filling my _Ears_ with dismal SHRIEKS, and my _Mind_ with greater CONSTERNATION.

WHEN not immediately recollecting what I had either heard or read of this _MONSTER_, I could not help continuing in my Surprize, until I heard some of our _Accidental Company_ call it _de Suyger_, as they went about to kill it: Upon which I immediately laid the _Woman_ of a pretty _plump_ GIRL; who, notwithstanding all this, had no _Deformity_ upon it, save only many _dark_, _livid_ SPOTS all over its Body; which I prognosticated might turn to a _Universal_ SCURF. In the mean time I order’d the _Express’d Oil_ of ALMONDS to be diligently us’d, as soon as we landed.