Part 4

THE _spirituous Substance_ of both SEEDS, by its own generative and active _Qualities_, in a well disposed WOMB, produceth a small _Consistence_ within the Space of _Seven Days_, call’d the GENITURA; which contains three[13] _Bullæ_ (so term’d by _Physicians_) superlatively MINUTE, design’d for the _three Spermatick Members_: The _one_ containing the purer Part of the _Seed_, full of _Vital Spirit_, for the _Heart_; the _other_, the more thick and pinguid Part, full of _Natural Spirit_, for the _Liver_; and the _third_, the more cold and crude Part, full of _Animal Spirit_, for the _Brain_.

ACCORDING to[14] _Hippocrates_’s Definition of the GENITURA, it appears the _likest_ of any Thing to a raw immature EGG, inclosing a certain red _Liquor_, with some pale-colour’d _Fibres_, of the finest _Contexture_, not unlike the _Filaments_ of a small _Spider’s Web_, wrap’d up with the said red thick BLOOD in the _Pellicule_.

BUT in this place I must farther observe, that the abovesaid _spirituous Substance_, in which the effective Virtue of CONCEPTION resides, is endued with _four_ distinct _Faculties_, which perfect as _many_ different _Operations_, all subordinately effected in the _Constitution_ of the CONCEPTION, _viz_.

I. THE _animatïve_ or _vivificating_ Faculty of the MENSTRUUM, called by some the first _Constitutive Faculty_ of _Conception_, operating, as above, in _Seven Days_; which is otherwise term’d the Time of _Spumification_, _Lactation_, or _Coagulation_.

II. THE _separative_ or _severing Faculty_ of the Parts of the grosser _Materials_ of the _Conception_, destinated for the respective _Constitution_ of the different _Organical Members_; which, being the Work of the next _Eight_ or _Ten Days_, is perfected about the 15th or 17th _Day_ from CONCEPTION; and this is called the Time of _Lineation_ or _Ramification_, when the GENITURA receives the Name of EMBRYO.

III. THE _collocative_ or _ordinating Faculty_ of all the severed material Parts of the different _Members_, disposing and placing them according to the _Law of Nature_, in due Order, Figure, and Situation; which, happening the following[15] _Twelve_ or _Fifteen Days_, about the 27th or 32d Day from _Conception_, is called the Time of _Carnification_; when the Embryo receives the Name of FOETUS.

NOW according to the Maxims of _Astrology_, as all _inferiour Bodies_ are govern’d and influenced by _Superiours_, so the _Seven Planets_ have Dominion over the _Man_, not only from the Day of _Birth_, but also from the Moment of _Conception_; yet not _All_ at one and the same Time, but every _one_ in their _Order_, reigning each its _peculiar Month_. According to which Principles, SATURN reigns the _first_ Month, suppeditating the humid and liquid _Substance_ of the GENITURA and EMBRYO, through his frigid and siccid _Quality’s_ due _Coagulation_ for generating the _Man_; by virtue of whose _Siccity_ the _uterine Retentions_ also happen.

IV. THE _formative_ and _figurating Faculty_ of all the _Members_ of the Body, imparting their respective _Shape_, _Figure_, and natural _Form_, to every particular _one_; which being the Work of the next _Eight_ to _Eighteen Days_, is perfected about the 35th, to the 50th Day from CONCEPTION, and is called the Time of _coarticulate Formation_, when the FOETUS, or CYEMA, is stil’d _Infant_.

AND in this, the _second Month_, JUPITER is supposed to exert his Power in the _Seed_, by his calid and humid _Qualities_; and thereby to vivify the _Spirits_, strengthen the _Members_, and give Augmentation and Growth to the whole FOETUS: So that the _interior Members_ are not[16] only conspicuous, but also _Legs_ and _Arms_ appear perfectly delineated, and are (at this time) distinctly _visible_; when also the _Head_ takes its Distance from the _Shoulders_, the _Arms_ from the _Sides_, and the _Legs_ are plainly parted.

BUT, however, the above-mention’d _Four remarkable Times_ may be also thus distinguished; _viz._ The _first_ perfects the Work of _Spumification_ and _Coagulation_; the _second_ the _Vegetative_; the _third_ the _Sensitive_; and the _fourth_ begins the _Rational Operation_: Altho’ _this_ cannot yet be discern’d, because of the _Redundancy_ of HUMOURS.

FROM the beginning of this _Chapter_, ’tis evident that the more _noble_, or _three chief Parts_ take the _first beginning_ to FORMATION, tho’ perhaps last _perfected_, which forthwith distribute their respective _Branches_ to the whole _Body_; as the HEART sends forth the _Arteries_, the LIVER the _Veins_, and the BRAIN the _Spinal Marrow_, with all their other _Dependencies_: And according to _Aristotle_, (who says, _there must be a different_ MATTER _to every different_ FORM); So indeed every distinct _Part_ of the Body is _form’d_ of a different Substance, according to the different _Nature_ and singular _Disposition_ of every particular _Part_.

HOWEVER, I shall not here pretend to go much farther in describing the FORMATION, it being more the _Philosopher’s_ than the _Physician’s_ Business: But whatever farther Progress _others_ may attempt, I judge it a most difficult and ambiguous Matter; for who can be so well vers’d in those _Indiscoverables_? Or, who can pretend to know sufficiently what is done in those _Obscurities_? The _Series of Nature_ being profounder than our _Understandings_, is consequently above our nicest and exactest _Scrutinies_: Which Consideration makes me astonished at the _Logical Dissertations_ that some Men offer on these _Principles_, even on the most minute _Particles_, and smallest _Proportions_, rashly and inconsiderately assigning every respective _one_ of these, a _precise definite Time_ for their FORMATION.

I HAVE often been inclin’d to think, that such SCIOLISTS have not read, or at least not consider’d the Words of the[17] _Preacher_; _As thou knowest not what is the Way of the_ SPIRIT, _nor how the Bones do grow in the Womb of her that is with Child; even so thou knowest not the Works of_ GOD _that maketh all_. Neither do I find that the wise[18] _Hebrean_ ever enter’d upon such _Syllogisms_, who (to the contrary) testifies that _the Counsel of_ GOD _is not to be known_; _that our Thoughts are miserable, and our Devices uncertain_. Upon which Authority, I say, in this Case, as _that Labour_ is commendable which can be compar’d to _Possibilities_, so to dive into those _Things_, which exceed our _Judgments_, and admit of no possible _Comparison_, is nothing better than _Folly_. Wherefore All that is further requisite, or possible for us, is to contemplate and admire the _Greatness_ and _Elegancy_, the _Sublimity_ and _Profundity_ of this wonderful and amazing Work of FORMATION; which _Subject_ (we find) hath been the frequent Contemplation of _the Royal Prophet_[19], particularly expressing himself, in the most eloquent and sublime Terms, according to the _divine Light_ of his illuminated Understanding: Saying, _Thou hast possessed my Reins: Thou hast ordered me in my Mother’s Womb. I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvellous are thy Works, and that my Soul knoweth right well. My Substance was not hid from thee, tho’ I was made in secret, and curiously fashioned in the lowest Parts of the Earth. Thine Eyes did see my Bones, yet being imperfect; and in thy Book were all my Members written; which Day by Day were formed, when as yet there was none of them._ Whence I proceed in order, to

CHAP. VIII. _Of the Animation of the FOETUS._

THE _human Fœtus_ being duly form’d and organiz’d about the 50th Day at the latest, as we observed in the preceeding _Chapter_, it remains to be _animated_, and that with a three-fold SOUL, _viz._ a _vegetative_, a _sensitive_, and a _rational Soul_.

THE _First_ of which, according to the most learned _Fortunius[20] Licetus_, &c. may be ascribed to the MOTHER, as chiefly proceeding from the Power of her _Menstruum_. The _Second_ may (by the same Authority) be ascribed to the _Power_ and _Spirit_ of the _Paternal Seed_; but it is the more generally received Opinion, that the _vegetative Soul_ is generated from the _Commixture_ of both Seeds with the _Menstruum_, and therefore as much to be ascribed to the _one_, as to the _other_, PARENT: And that also the _sensitive SOUL_ proceeds from the proper _natural Faculty_ of the organiz’d _Fœtus_, as the _rational SOUL_ doth from the immediate _Infusion_ of the great CREATOR. Touching which _Infusion_, I desire not to meddle with the _Controversy_ that has so long subsisted betwixt _Philosophers_ and _Divines_: Only as I have noted in _Chap._ iv. the Opinion of the greatest _Masters of Nature_; so if, in _this_, we could, from the Dictates of _Faith_ and _Religion_, as well as from the Maxims of _natural Philosophy_, set the Matter in a clearer _Light_, I humbly presume it would not be _disagreeable_: Since the _Principles_ of EITHER, taken separately, are in themselves _mysterious_, and can never be fully comprehended by _some_; whereas, _both_ taken jointly, I mean, the Arguments of the _one_, to reinforce the Positions of the _other_, may be satisfactory to _all_.

IN order to which, I _first_ observe; That the _Influx_ of celestial Bodies exerts its Power very efficaciously in all _Sublunaries_ and _Inferiours_. Hence, touching the _four Humours_ of our Bodies, MARS is thought to excite the _yellow Bile_, as SATURN exasperates _Melancholy_; and LUNA to encrease _Phlegm_, as SOL and JUPITER govern the _Blood_.

SECONDLY, I observe, That the Power and _Influence_ of the PLANETS lies effectually in _Metals_, _Stones_, _Gems_, _Herbs_, _Roots_, and all _Subterranean Bodies_; as _Gold_, _Silver_, _Copper_, _Iron_, _Tin_, _Lead_, and whatever is contained in the _Bowels of the Earth_, whether it tend to _Use_ or _Necessity, Profit_ or _Pleasure_; the _Virtues_ and _Increase_ of them all proceeding from their _peculiar_ STARS.

THIS we may easily conceive, by considering that GOD, who made all things for his singular, great, and good Ends, would never have exhibited to us such a fair and spacious _Heaven_, such a _Course_, _Order_, _Continuation_, and _Series_ of STARS to delight and feed our _Eyes_, like an empty _Shadow_, or an idle _Picture_: But, to the contrary, the _Trees_, the _Roots_, the _Branches_, the _Seas_, the _Rivers_, the _Streams_, and whatever runs thro’ the Veins of the _Earth_, or graces the Surface of _Sea_ or _Land_; yea, whatever is, or may be distinguished by the Variety of _Things_ or _Names_, together with our _Bodies_, and their implanted _Humours_, HE subjected to the _Heavens_, that they might perceive some superiour _Impulse_, _Motion_, and _Agitation_ from the STARS, and experience the Utility of their _Effects_.

HENCE the learned _Arabians_ ascribed the _Bodies_, _Actions_, and _Dispositions_ of Men to STARS and SIGNS: As _Proclus_ teacheth, that _Superiours_ and _Inferiours_ are manifestly _one_ in the _other_. But these _Inferiours_ are defin’d, some to be SOLAR, others LUNAR; on which the SUN and MOON make strong _Impressions_, like those of the STARS and SIGNS they are under. In reference to which, they distribute the _human Body_ among the _Planets_ and _Signs_ of the ZODIACK; and most ingeniously demonstrate, that as the _Triplicities_ of those _Signs_ answer one another, and agree in _Celestials_, so they also concur in the _Members of the_ BODY; which Observation, daily _Experience_ also confirms. As for example: By a _Coldness_ of the FEET, the _Belly_ and _Breast_ are affected; and these _Members_ answering to the same _Triplicity_, any proper _Medicine_ apply’d to the _one_, helps the _other_; as by warming the _Feet_, the Pain of the _Belly_ ceaseth.

WHEREFORE, if we consider the many _occult Qualities_, and _secret Influences_ of celestial Bodies, besides these _three_ which are manifest to us, namely, _Heat_, _Light_, and _Motion_, we shall readily and rationally agree with _Astrologers_, as well as _Philosophers_, in this Point; that the _celestial Bodies_ concur with other _natural Causes_, in the regular _Procession_ of all the different Steps of the _Conformation_ and _Constitution_ of human CONCEPTION.

MOREOVER, in the Work of _Animation_, they concur not only _physically_, but _efficiently_; not as formal, final, or material _Causes_, but meerly by _Action_; upon which Great _Efficient_, all other _Causes_ depend. And yet they concur _efficiently_ not as the only particular, immediate, and proximous _Agents_, but as the common remote, physical _Agents_, moving _physically_. Now this _Aristotle_ also plainly teacheth, saying; that, “As this _inferiour World_ hath Existence from _superiour Beings_, so all worldly Existences must necessarily be ordered and directed by _those_, as the common _efficient Cause_ of all _Sub-celestials_.”

BUT I would farther observe, that the only ACTION of _those Bodies_ in this Work, is to dispose and govern all proper, special, and singular _Causes_ pertaining to _Nature_, preserving them _physically_; that is, by their _Motion_, _Light_, and _Heat_.

THE reason I call _those Bodies_ the remote, not the proximous _Agents_ in the Work, is, because they do not in _Substance_, _Motion_, or _Light_, immediately reach or touch the FOETUS; but only, by their secret _Qualities_ and _Influences_, extended to these inferiour ORBS, penetrate through, and affect the WOMB, tho’ never so closely shut up: By which means, the _Spirit_ and _Power_ of the SEEDS, the _Faculties_ of the _Womb_, and all concurring _Causes_ are fomented, govern’d, promoted, preserv’d, and determin’d.

HOWEVER, in this _Constitution_, (whatever _natural Causes_ may be advanc’d) the great GOD is indisputably and undeniably the prime and principal _Efficient_: for all other _Causes_, whether proximous or remote, without his _Concurrence_, would be but vain and insufficient, for the following Reasons.

I. HE is the only primary AGENT, not _physical_, because not acting _physically_; not operating by _Motion_, because _immoveable_: but without _Motion_, and all other _physical Helps_, he powerfully and clearly displays HIMSELF, most eminently officiating by his own _All-sufficiency_, and Appointment of _Nature_.

II. HE likewise, as the prime, common, remote, and physical CAUSE, governs and directs all _other secundary Causes_ supereminently, which are subjected to, and dependent upon HIMSELF; in constituting, organizing, and fomenting the _CONCEPTION_.

III. HE finally, as the proper, proximous, and immediate CAUSE, or AGENT, directing _none else_, nor using any _other Assistance_ in the Work, neither being _directed_ nor _assisted_ by any _other_, gives to the organiz’d human FOETUS its greatest Completion; and the _ultimate finishing Stroke_ of consummate _Perfection_, by infusing and communicating to it a _Mind_ in a rational _SOUL_, by which the FOETUS becomes _MAN_.

AND this _Infusion_ comes immediately from, and of HIMSELF, who is (in _Aristotle_’s Words): “The _Form_ and _Former_ of the UNIVERSE, the ultimate _End_, the final and efficient _Cause_ of all _celestial Bodies_, and _created Beings_.”

BUT now, as to the _Time_ of this great Work of ANIMATION, _Naturalists_ agree, that it requires double the _Space_ that FORMATION had from _Conception_: which seems so far probable, because at _that time_, and no sooner, the _Infant_ may be sensibly perceiv’d to move; and _that_ by the _Influence_ of calid and siccid MARS, who (according to _Astrologers_) now takes charge of it in the _third Month_. For by virtue of his _hot Quality_, he perfecteth the _three_ principal Members, separating the _Legs_, _Arms_, and _Head_ (in due proportion) from the _rest_: Wherefore this _auspicious Planet_ is called the AUTHOR of the _Infant’s Motion_. So that, in fine, conformable to what is laid down in the preceeding _Chapter_, the Work of ANIMATION is perfected, at soonest, about the 70th, and at latest, about the 100th Day from _CONCEPTION_. Which being done, I proceed to the next _principal Work_ in constituting the MAN.

CHAP. IX _Of the MATURATION of the INFANT._

NATURALISTS allow the _Infant_, for its ripening in the _Womb_, and to the legitimate _Time of Birth_, treble the _Space_ that ANIMATION had; as _Physicians_ agree in allowing _this_ treble the Time that the _first Motion_ had from _Conception_: and from hence the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, _&c._ are called _ripening Months_.

IN the _fourth Month, Astrologers_ will have the _Planet_ SOL to reign over the INFANT; whose _calid Quality_ gives it entire LIFE, fully perfecting the _Members_, excavating the _Bones_, and amplifying the _Pores_ and _Passages_ of the Body.

AS, in the _Fifth_, VENUS presides over the INFANT; who, by her _Frigidity_ and _Humidity_, mitigates the _Heat_ and _Siccity_ impressed on it by the _superiour Planets_, absolutely perfecting the _Lineaments_ of the _external Members_. According to which Principles, she, in a word, forms the _Privities_ of both _Sexes_; and adds Beauty and Ornament to the _Nose_, _Mouth_, _Hands_, _Fingers_, and all the rest of the _visible Parts_.

AS also, in the _sixth Month_, MERCURY takes his Turn to assist the INFANT, which puts the last finishing Hand to the _Work_; perfecting the _Organs_ of the _Voice_, enlarging the _Eyes_, _Eye-lids_, _Brows_, and _Nails_; promoting and confirming the _Instruments_ of _Motion_; and at last, absolving and compleating whatever the _others_ have commenced.

I shall only farther _hypothetically_ observe, that, if the INFANT was perfectly _form’d_ about the 35th _Day_, it was _animated_ about the 70th, and consequently will be _born_ about the 210th _Day_, the last of the 7th _Month_.

IF the _Formation_ was perfected about the 40th _Day_, the _Animation_ happen’d about the 80th, and the _BIRTH_ will (unluckily) happen towards the close of the 8th _Month_.

IF _Formation_ happen’d the 45th, _Animation_ follow’d the 90th _Day_, and the _BIRTH_ will succeed about the close of 9 _Months_.

IF _Formation_ was compleated the 50th, _Animation_ follow’d the 100th Day, and consequently the _BIRTH_[21] will appear about the last of 10 _Months_; and so of any other certain _Time_, definite _Day_, or stated _Hour_.

IT is, in all the above-mentioned _Cases_, to be farther animadverted, that the MALE, as he proceeds from the more _calid_, _siccid_, and _spirituous Seed_, arrives sooner to Perfection in _Formation_ and _Animation_; and is consequently _sooner born_ than the FEMALE, whose _Nature_ is more _cold_, _flaccid_, and _weak_, even in the WOMB: Hence an Allowance of a few Days more or less[22], may be justly made, according to the SEX.

CHAP. X. _Of the NUTRITION and POSTURE of the INFANT_.

THIS is manifest, that the FOETUS is nourished in the _first Months_, by the _Umbilical Vessels_ only: But the several following _Reasons_ engage me to think; that, in the _latter Months_, it is alimented by the _Mouth_ also, and _That_ by a glutinous _limpid Liquor_: Which, being (probably) secreted from the AMNION for that Purpose, is found to surround it.

I. BECAUSE this _Liquor_, which seems very proper for that _Use_, is found not only in the _Mouth_, but also in the OESOPHAGUS and _Stomach_ of the _INFANT_.

II. IT is found _changed_ in the smaller _Intestines_[23]; and being _chylify’d_ in the _Ventricle_, it turns to _Excrements_, call’d MECONIUM, in the RECTUM, or _strait Gut_.

III. WE find a _large_ Quantity of this _Liquor_, surrounding the FŒTUS in the _first Months_, and but _little_ in the _last_; which cannot probably be consum’d any _other_ way, than by the _INFANT_.

IV. BECAUSE[24] that the _Oesophagus_, _Intestines_, _lacteal Vessels_, and _thoracick Duct_, may continue open, and be gradually accustomed to their respective _Functions_.

THE Infant’s _Situation_, in the _first_ and _middle Months_, is various; but, in the _latter_, it is commonly observ’d to be of an _oval Figure_: Sitting, with the _Head_ hanging down, and the _Chin_ upon the _Breast_; the _Neck_ bending forwards, the _Back_ is round; embracing the _Knees_, which are drawn up towards the _Cheeks_ with its _Arms_; the _Hands_ commonly hanging down, seem to embrace the _Feet_; the _Heels_ cling close to the _Buttocks_; and while the _Head_ is uppermost, the _Face_ is towards the _Mother’s Belly_.

BUT about the Time of _Birth_; the HEAD, which was always before _Lighter_, becomes considerably _Heavier_ than any other Part. And its ponderous _Bulk_ bearing much smaller Proportion to its _Substance_ than it did before, must needs (consequently) tumble Heels over Head, in the _Waters_ of the MEMBRANES; and the _Head_ falling downwards, the _Feet_ get uppermost, and the _Face_ is turn’d towards the _Mother’s Back_.

BUT because this is a painful and irksome _Posture_, however favourable for its EXIT; the _Motions_ it makes for its Relief, occasion frequent _Pains_ to the MOTHER, which cause a Contraction of the _WOMB_, for the Expulsion of the _Infant_.

AND, in short, this being the _natural Posture_ of the _Infant_ in the _WOMB_, its _preternatural Positions_ may from thence be easily conceived.

CHAP. XI. _Of the_ MEMBRANES _and_ WATERS.

THE _MEMBRANES_ of the _Infant_, are _Two_ in number, the one _exteriour_, call’d _CHORION_; the other _interiour, AMNION_: which are so contiguously joined _one_ to the _other_, that they appear like one and the same _MEMBRANE_; and, because they are only separable by _Art_, as a _Silk-Lining_ from a _Cloth_, are sometimes call’d the _double MEMBRANE_.

THE _Chorion_ is rough and unequal on the _Outside_, but smoother _within_; where it closely unites itself to the thinner and transparent _Amnion_.

THIS _Amnion_ covers the _Placenta_, and is fixed to the _Inside_ of the _Womb_, by its _Circumference_ on all Sides.

THESE MEMBRANES contain the WATERS, in which the _Infant_ swims; which WATERS encrease along with the _Infant_, generating by degrees, and proceeding from the _moist Humours_, exhal’d (by way of _Transpiration_) from the tender _Infant’s_ porous Body.

THESE WATERS are of infinite Service to the _Infant_, during the time of _Maturation_: As they are to both _Mother_ and _Child_ in the time of _BIRTH_; which hereafter will more amply appear. And as in Conception, these MEMBRANES are form’d before the EMBRYO; being, as they are commonly call’d, the _Coats of the Egg_: So, in time of _Labour_, they always present themselves, with their peculiar WATERS, to the _ORIFICE_, before the _Infant_ approaches.

IN Case of _TWINS_ or more _Children_; each has its proper MEMBRANES and WATERS apart, in which they are separately wrap’d up.

CHAP. XII. _Of the SECUNDINE, or AFTER-BIRTH._

THE _SECUNDINE_ is a thick carnous _Mass_, of a soft _vasculous Substance_, compos’d of the _maternal Menstrua_; which _waxes_ upon the outside of the _Chorion_ in proportion with the Growth of the FOETUS; encreasing (as the _Waters_ do) together with the _Infant_. It is also called the _Womb-Cake_, or _Placenta Uterina_; but most commonly the _Woman’s AFTER-BIRTH_.

IT is call’d _Placenta_, because of its flat circular _Figure_, resembling a pretty thick round Cake; being about eight Inches _Diameter_, and one _Thick_; a little thicker in the _Middle_, where the _Umbilical Vessels_ are fixed, than at the _Edges_.

ITS _thickest spongious Part_ (properly call’d the _Placenta_) adheres to the Bottom of the _Womb_ by innumerable _Vessels_, and the Interposition of a very thin _Membrane_, which is a Continuation of the _Chorion_.

ITS _Concave Part_ towards the _Infant_, is join’d to the _Navel-String_, and encompass’d with a smooth _Membrane_, which it derives from the _Chorion_ and _Amnion_.