Part 5

THE _Vessels_ terminating in the _Navel-String_, are inserted at _one End_, almost in the Center of the _Placenta_; as the _other End_ adheres to the _Navel_ of the INFANT.

THE _SECUNDINE_ is rough and unequal on the _Outside_, and smooth and soft on the _Inside_; and cannot be extracted, without breaking the mentioned _Vessels_: From hence an Effusion of _Humours_ and Fluxion of _Blood_ always follows it; which (according to the _Woman’s State of Health_) is of a _fairer_, or _darker_, red _Colour_.

THE Use of the _SECUNDINE_, is to receive and absorb the _Nutritious Juice_ from the WOMB; (as the _Intestines_ imbibe the _Chyle_) which it afterwards transmits to the _Infant_, by the _Umbilical Vein_.

IN Case of TWINS, or more _Children_, if conceived at _one Time_, they have but _one common SECUNDINE_, (notwithstanding the contrary Opinion of _others_) which adheres to the _Fund_ of the WOMB, by the _Placenta_, as above: Wherefore I must needs reject the _Testimony_ of such MIDWIVES, who give out that they have found the _SECUNDINE_, _fix’d_ to any _other Part_ of the WOMB; tho’ I experimentally know, that it is sometimes found in the _Hinder Part_ near the LOINS, sometimes in the _Forepart_, sometimes near the _Diaphragma_, sometimes in the _Right_, and sometimes in the _Left Side_.

BUT however, we should be grossly mistaken, if from hence, we did conclude, that the _SECUNDINE_ adher’d to _any other Part_, than the _Bottom_ of the WOMB: Since such erroneous _Apprehensions_ are merely occasion’d by the various _Motion_, or oblique _Position_ of the WOMB; as hereafter will appear more at large.

CHAP. XIII. _Of the UMBILICAL VESSELS, or NAVEL-STRING._

THE three _Umbilical Vessels_ consist of _one Vein_ and _Two Arteries_; which compose the _NAVEL-STRING_, and are wrap’d up in one strong _Membrane_, proceeding from the CHORION and AMNION, between the _Navel_ and _Placenta_.

THE _Vein_ arises in the _Placenta_, from innumerable minute _Vessels_; proceeding thence with _Spiral Contortions_ between the _Arteries_, thro’ the _NAVEL-STRING_, and _Navel_, to the _Liver_ of the _Infant_; terminating in the _Sinus_ of the _Vena Porta_, into which it pours the _Blood_ and _nutritious Juice_ received in the _Placenta_; which immediately proceeds to the _Vena Cava_, and _Heart_, thro’ a _Cylindrical Canal_ (call’d VENOSUS) opposite to the _Umbilical Vein_.

THE _Arteries_, which are scarce half so large as the _Vein_, arise from the ILIACS of the _Infant_, or from the AORTA. They pass both Sides of the _Bladder_ to the _Navel_, and thence through the _NAVEL-STRING_, by the like _Spiral Windings_, to the _Placenta_: where, after distributing some _Branches_ to the AMNION and CHORION; they are divided into a very great Number of _Sprigs_, transferring the _Blood_ from the _Fœtus_ to the _SECUNDINE_.

THESE _Two Arteries_, with the above-mentioned _one Vein_, make up a certain _Part_, twisted like a _Rope_, about one Inch thick, and near a Yard long, call’d the _NAVEL-STRING_; which is so ordained of this _Length_, that the _Infant_, by its _Motion_, may not pull the _Placenta_ from the WOMB; and that, by its _Means_, the _SECUNDINE_ may be commodiously extracted after the _Birth_.

IN Case of TWINS, or more _Children_, every one has its proper _NAVEL-STRING_; the chief Use of which is, to convey the _Maternal Blood_ and _nutritious Juices_ by the _Veins_ to the FOETUS, for its _Aliment_: The _Arteries_ carrying back that which is unfit for this _Use_, to the _Placenta_; whilst the _Fœtus_ is still supply’d with more by the _Vein_: So that there’s a _continual Circulation_, or Communication, between the MOTHER and her INFANT.

SECT. II.

CHAP. I. _Of the SYMPTOMS peculiar to the State of MAIDEN-HOOD._

SUCH _Distempers_ as are incident to this SEX in _Childhood_, are generally common to the _Other_; wherefore I shall take another Opportunity to treat of them more _particularly_, and conduct the _Child_, whether MALE or FEMALE, thro’ all the _Indispositions_, to which its tender _Age_, or flexile _Nature_, may subject it, from the Moment of _Birth_, until the Time of _Puberty_: At which _Age_, the more delicate _Constitution_ of FEMALES, takes a quite different _Turn_ from That of the _other Sex_.

AT this _Crisis_, or Juncture of Time, the _Imbecility_ of their _natural Dispositions_ begins to display itself, by various and different _SYMPTOMS_; to which, some are more, and some less, expos’d from Henceforward; very few being altogether exempted from what is so peculiar to their _State_: Wherefore (in the first place) I shall undertake to lay down the _Causes_, the _Symptoms_, the _Degrees_ of Danger, and the respective _Methods of Curing_ such _Diseases_ as are incident to VIRGINS: Which leads me previously to define the VIRGIN-STATE, in

CHAP. II. _Of VIRGINITY._

VIRGINITY is an entire _State of Nature_ in this Point; and nothing else, than the _Integrity_ of the _Muliebrian Parts_ from the Violence of _Virile Congress_.

TOUCHING the real _Signs_ of _VIRGINITY_, many learned _Controversies_ have risen; particularly as to the _Membrane_, call’d HYMEN: _Some_ great _Anatomists_ and _Physicians_[25] strenuously denying its _Existence_, and representing it as some _preternatural Production_; and _Others_[26] as vigorously maintaining the contrary Opinion. Upon which _Contention_, if I may humbly offer my _Sentiment_; the _later Authorities_ are so commonly receiv’d, that (I think) this _Dispute_ sufficiently decided.

WE find the _Reality_ of it has been abundantly confirm’d by the _Greeks_, as it was discover’d by the _Arabians_ of old: And the _Gentiles_, for that very Reason, call’d their _Nuptial God_, HYMENEUS. But, moreover, being since so positively asserted, by so many _famous_ and _learned Men_, who openly vouch and aver that they have found and seen it; I do not see why we should longer doubt of this _Membrane’s_ being to be found in _Most_, if not in _All_, _VIRGINS_, to distinguish them from the rest of their _Sex_: Especially since ’tis certain, that something _extraordinary_ happens in the first COITION, which made _Terentius_ call it, _Coitio Acerrima_. Upon which Notion, _Catullus’s_ Verses are very elegant and _à propos_: viz.

_“Ut flos in Septis secretus nascitur hortis, “Ignotus pecori, nullo contusus Aratro; “Quem mulcent Auræ, firmat Sol, educat Imber, “Multi illum Pueri, multæ optavêre Puellæ: “Idem cùm tenui carptus defloruit ungui, “Nulli illum Pueri, nullæ optavêre Puellæ. “Sic Virgo dum intacta manet, tum chara suis; sed “Cùm Castum amisit polluto Corpore florem, “Nec Pueris jucunda manet, nec grata Puellis._

This I take to be a notable _Emblem_ both of the _HYMEN_ and of _VIRGINITY_ itself.

OTHERS again affirm, that the _Effusion of Blood_, in the first ACT, is common to all _VIRGINS_; founded upon the _Authority_ of the 22d Chap. of _Deut_. &c: By which ’tis plain, that _this Criterion_ or _Mark_, has been of the nicest _Consequence_ among the JEWS; as also in several other _Nations_: according to _Claudianus_ in the _Epithalamium_ of _Honorius_, viz.—

_“Et vestes Tyrio Sanguine fulgidas “Alter Virgineus nobilitet Cruor: “Tum Victor madido prosiliat Thoro, “Nocturni referens vulnera prælii._

In short, many _Philosophers_, as well as _Poets_, hold _This_ for an infallible Symptom.

HOWEVER, tho’ I must confess _This_ to be a certain _Sign_ of _VIRGINITY_, when it does appear; yet, if it don’t, the _VIRGIN_ is not therefore to be _suspected_: especially if she be more _adult_, in which Case the _Parts_ grow both larger and firmer, by the long _Flux_ of the _Menstrua_; and consequently this _Effusion_ cannot well be expected; neither can it be supposed in case of any violent _Procatarctick_ or _Primary Cause_ (and from _That_ she can be no more _secure_, than another Person) which may break the HYMEN, and dilate the _Parts_ before COITION. But besides,

NEITHER can the _Mosaical Law_, nor the _Customs_ of other Countries, imply any thing _farther_; than, that _This_ is the indubitable _Mark_ of _VIRGINITY_ when it appears, without drawing any _suspicious Consequences_ from its accidental _Non-appearance_: especially considering, that their _VIRGINS_ married always very _young_, and commonly about the 12th or 13th Year of their _Age_; when they could scarce possibly be without some evident _Effusion_.

OTHERS will have the _Astriction_ of the VAGINA, to be a certain _Sign_ of _VIRGINITY_; which, (tho’ I confess, is more astrict in _VIRGINS_, than in such as have _copulated_) I deny, to be any _certain Sign_: Since all know, That _Part_ to differ (in this Point) according to _Age_, _Habit_, and other _Circumstances_ of Body and Health: But besides, some _astringent Medicines_ would also easily answer this _End_.

OTHERS again have disputed the _Possibility_ of a _VIRGIN_’s generating _Milk_; affirming _Milk_ in the _Breasts_, to be a certain _Sign_ of lost _VIRGINITY_: And (I think) there is some Reason for this Opinion; for my part, I would inform myself better, before I should credit _Her_, who would give herself out for a _VIRGIN_, having this _Symptom_; notwithstanding the contrary Opinion of _others_, founded upon the Authority of _Hippocrates_[27]: Since, according to the Judgment of the most learned _Mauritius Cordæus_[28], it very seldom happens. But if after All, a _VIRGIN_ chances to have _Milk_ in her _Breasts_, it differs in _Quantity_ as well as _Quality_, from _That_ of a Woman who has conceiv’d: For which Reason, he distinguishes and describes _Two Sorts_ of MILK: _viz._

THE _One_, which belongs to _this Case_, he says, is generated of _Blood_ flowing to the _Breasts_, when deny’d an _Exit_ by the WOMB; and is nothing but the _superfluous Aliment_ of the _Breasts_, by their _peculiar Faculty_, turn’d into MILK: Which may happen to _VIRGINS_ irregular in their _Menstrua_; and according to this Interpretation, _Hippocrates_ is to be rightly understood. The _other_ MILK, he calls _Puerperial_; which does not generate without a _Big-Belly_, and _That_ pretty far _Gone_: Which MILK is communicated from the WOMB directly to the _Breasts_.

HE teaches us also, that this _Difference_ of MILK, proceeds from the Diversity of _Blood_, of which _both Sorts_ are generated; and likewise from the Variety of the _Veins_ and _Passages_, by which they are convey’d and carry’d to the _Breasts_.

WHICH _Veins_ are _Two-fold_; namely, _Common_ and _Proper_. The _Common_ are called _External_, and these are such as only carry the _Blood_ from the _Vena Cava_, for the Nutrition of the BREASTS; which, if _superfluous_, or more than is _sufficient_ for that _Use_, is converted (by the _Glands_ of the BREASTS) into a kind of MILK: Which, altho’ _white_, is of a _thinner Substance_, not so _sweet_, nor so _plentiful_, as true MILK. Whereas the proper _Mammary Veins_ carry that very _Blood_, of which MILK is generated for the Nourishment of the _Infant_, from the WOMB directly[29]; which happens, by what the _Greeks_ call an _Anastomosis_, or Conjunction of the _Mammary_ and _Epigastrick Veins_.

FROM hence we have the Difference of these _two sorts_ of BLOOD and MILK: Wherefore it is to be concluded, that altho’ the _One_ be found in the _Breasts_ of _VIRGINS_, they are not therefore to be rashly suspected of _Pollution_; since, according to _Aristotle_[30], the _same_ may happen sometimes also to MEN.

BUT, besides what is mention’d, there are many different external _Methods_ propos’d by _Authors_[31], to distinguish a _Real_, from a _Supposititious_ _VIRGIN_: Which however I shall not enter upon, lest what I have intended for the _Benefit_ of All in _general_, might tend to the _Detriment_ of some in _particular_. And thus having briefly described the _MAIDEN_ and _MAIDEN-HEAD_, I come now to treat of such _Indispositions_, as are either _Peculiar_, or more _Familiar_ to her _STATE_. And, _First_, in order

CHAP. III. _Of the Virgin-Disease, commonly called the GREEN-SICKNESS._

THIS _Malady_ is an _Indisposition_ visibly discolorating the Complexion, and nothing else, but a _Complication_ of divers _Diseases_ and _Symptoms_: Wherefore it is variously represented and taken, sometimes for a _Disease_, and sometimes for a _Symptom_.

BE that as it will; it is so Familiar, or rather Peculiar to _Mature VIRGINS_, that most _Physicians_ call it the _Virgin-Disease_, or _Virgin-Fever_; as _others_ call it _Febris Alba_, or pale Fever: Not that it is always join’d with a _Fever_; but because the _affected Party_ represents (in most Respects) a _Feverish Person_, by the Celerity and Frequency of Her PULSE, _&c._

IT is also call’d _Febris Amatoria_; I suppose, (partly) because of the _Colour_, according to the _POET_; _Palleat omnis Amans_, _Color hic eft aptus Amanti_: And (partly) because of the _Age_, which may be the fittest _Time_ for LOVE; which made _Diogenes_ say, at sight of a certain _Patient_, That _she was dead in her OWN_, _but alive in ANOTHER Body_: As it is otherwise denominated _Icterus Albus_; because, as in an _Icterus_ or _JAUNDICE_, the whole _Body_ is tinctur’d _yellow_: So in this _Disorder_, it is changed _Pale_ and _Wan_; and from hence it is commonly call’d the _GREEN-SICKNESS_, because of the _Colour_ and _Aspect_ inclining a little that way. As it is likewise also term’d, _Fœdus seu pallidus Virginum Color_, or the _ugly pale Colour of languishing VIRGINS_.

HOWEVER yet I have known many _Women_, in _France_, and _Germany_, who have been so far from thinking it an ugly _Colour_, that they have esteem’d it most _Beautiful_; and have used very _pernicious Things_ to gain and appropriate this _Colour_ to Themselves: Esteeming _Fresh-looking-Women_, of a fine sanguine _Complexion_, mere _RUSTICKS_.

THIS disagreeable _Affection_ of the Body, however it is _titled_, most certainly implies a _Complication of several different Maladies_; annoying all the _Actions_ of the _Natural_, and _Motions_ of the _Animal Faculty_: Or, in short, perverting the whole OECONOMY of the _Body_. And because it is always join’d with _Most_, if not with _All_ the following SYMPTOMS, I think it may be regularly thus defin’d.

THE _VIRGIN-DISEASE, is a Change of the natural Colour of the Face into a pallid greenish Tincture; with a Dejection of Strength, Gravity of all the Members and Parts of the Body, Fastidy of Victuals, Malacia or Pica, Heaviness and Palpitation of Heart, Difficulty of Breathing, a slow Fever, Pains of the Head, Melancholy, Inflations, and Oedematous Tumours of the Feet, Legs, Eye-lids, and the whole Face; with a frigid Intemperature, and Cachexy of the whole Body; proceeding from a deprav’d Nutrition, and the abundance of crude Humours, ingender’d from a perverse Disposition of the_ LIVER, SPLEEN, _or_ VENTRICLE.

HENCE proceed the _OBSTRUCTIONS_ of the _Uterine Vessels_, and neighbouring _Parts_, of the _Veins_ of the _LIVER_, and _SPLEEN_; but especially, of the _MESENTERY_: So that the _natural Calidity_ of the whole _Body_ being thus suffocated, and oppressed, by those _crude Humours_, an Irregularity, or Suppression of the _MENSTRUA_, must needs ensue.

BY this _Definition_, the _DISEASE_ may easily be known; tho’ in some _Circumstances_, it may differ, according to the different _Quality_ of the predominant _Humour_: Especially considering, that if all the foremention’d _Signs_, or _Symptoms_, do not concur in all _PATIENTS_; yet _Most_ of them commonly do happen in most _Persons_, and ALL in _Some_. Whence I come _methodically_ to denote more particularly its CAUSES.

IN order to which, I may justly premise, that the _Proximous Cause_ is a _Collection_ of deprav’d _crude Humours_ in the Body: As the _Remote Cause_, is a _Suppression_, or _Irregularity_ in the Course of the _Menstruous Blood_.

NOW this _Blood_ flowing to the WOMB, as soon as the _VIRGIN_ is _Mature_; if the _Passages_ are not capacious or patent enough, it _regorges_ to the _Major Veins_, and thence to the very BOWELS; extinguishing the _Heat_, and obstructing the _Vessels_ of the _LIVER_, _SPLEEN_, and _MESENTERY_: From whence proceeds a vicious _Concoction_ and _Sanguification_; and consequently a _Collection of crude Humours_, which excite various _Symptoms_ thro’ all Parts of the Body. And it commonly happens, that an irregular or improper _Way of Living_, especially about the Time of _Puberty_, or in the Time of the _natural Course_, engenders a pituitous and viscid _Blood_; which, together with the aforesaid _Humours_, totally obstructs the _Uterine Vessels_.

THIS _Distemper_ is very dangerous, if not timely _cur’d_; because if the _Heart_ be very much affected, and the _Vital Faculty_ quite oppressed with it, the _Patient_ often dies suddenly: Or, otherways, it commonly turns to a _Dropsy_; and, when the _Humours_ fly into the HEAD, it causes a _Frenzy_.

NOW as I come gradually to set forth the CURE of this _Distemper_, I shall _First_ observe; that, as various _Diseases_ and _Symptoms_ do concur towards its _Complication_, all _These_ are to be discreetly remov’d by proper _Means_ and _Methods_. But that I may be better understood, _SOME_ are more prudently (perhaps) to be remov’d _singly_; and _OTHERS_, _jointly_: As for Instance, if any one _Symptom_ be more troublesome and dangerous than the _Rest_, it ought to be chiefly regarded above All _others_; and, if not _remov’d_, at least _mitigated_ in the First Place.

SECONDLY, That a proper _Regulation_ of DIET and _Regimen_ of BODY, is to be judiciously directed, as another initial necessary _Step_ towards the CURE; which we have hereafter more fully treated of.

THIRDLY, That this _Distemper_ is more easily and sooner _cur’d_, in _Spring_ or _Summer_-Time, than in _Autumn_ or _Winter_; because when the proper _Constitution_ of _WEATHER_ and _AIR_ concurs with the _medicinal Means_, more may be done towards effecting its CURE in a _Week_, than otherways can be expected in a _Month_. Wherefore _These_ being premised, the CURE will most rationally depend upon the four following methodical _STEPS_; _viz._

I. THAT the vitious _Humours_ lodged in the _Body_, especially in the _Bowels_, be duly _prepar’d_ for Expurgation, and then effectually _evacuated_.

II. THAT the _Intemperature_ and _Obstructions_ of the _VENTRICLE_, _LIVER_, _SPLEEN_, and _WOMB_, be All carefully and regularly removed.

III. THAT the _Menstrua_ be duly rectify’d, and physically reduc’d to a _Natural Course_, by the best _Conduct_ of Art and Judgment.

IV. THAT the Rest of the morbifick _Humours_, whether _Crude_, _Aqueous_, or _Serous_, lurking behind in the _Body_, be in due manner discharg’d.

BUT more particularly; The CURE may be begun with a gentle _Evacuation of the Belly_, and, if Strength and other Circumstances shall permit, with repeated _VENÆSECTIONS_[32], or _Blood-letting_ in the _Foot_, not only for removing the _Plenitude_, but also for resolving the _Obstructions_ of the _MENSTRUA_.

AND because the HUMOURS are _Thick_ and _Frigid_, proper _warming_ and _attenuating_, or preparing and purging _Medicines_ are to be used in their Turns; or _rarefying_ and _inciding Matters_ may be mixed with the _Purgatives_. As also in Case the HUMOURS lodge about the _Ventricle_ and _Mesentery_, a gentle VOMIT may be convenient.

BUT because divers _Parts_ suffer _OBSTRUCTIONS_ in this sickly _Affection_, proper _Aperitives_ are to be made use of; and _Those_ chiefly, which have a _natural Affinity_ with every respective _affected Part_: As for Example; _Hepaticks_, for the _LIVER_; _Spleneticks_, for the _SPLEEN_; _Uterines_, for the _WOMB_, &c. Wherefore the _Physician_ ought to weigh and consider well, whether the _Veins_ about the _VENTRICLE_ and _MESENTERY_, or _LIVER_ and _SPLEEN_, be most _obstructed_; since the most special Regard must be had to the _Part most affected_.

IN the _Beginning_, such _Medicines_ as serve best to open the _Obstructions_ of the _MESENTERY_, _SPLEEN_, and _LIVER_, sparingly mix’d with such as provoke the _MENSTRUA_ or _MONTHS_, are to be discreetly used: But afterwards, in _Progress_ of the CURE, the _Uterines_ may (by Degrees) be prudentially _augmented_.

HOWEVER, at last it often happens, that tho’ the _grosser HUMOURS_ are evacuated: yet some _watry, serous Humours_ remain in the Circuit of the Body, too much refrigerating and infesting it still; which are most conveniently remov’d by _Sudorificks_.

BUT because the compleat _CURE_ of this _Disease_ requires some Length of Time, I would advise proper _Preparatives, Purgatives_, and _Corroboratives_, to be exhibited by Turns; as also the very _Form_ and _Composition_ of the _MEDICINES_ to be varied in their Courses, for the preventing of _Nauseousness_.

THE _Patient’s REGIMEN_, must likewise be well prescrib’d, and curiously _regulated_; especially her DIET. She ought to live upon Victuals of the best _Nutrition_, and easiest _Concoction_, carefully avoiding all _others_ that are not so agreeable: Especially such as are of a _frigid or humid Quality_; such as _Pot-herbs_, _Garden-Fruits_, _Milk_ _Fish_, &c. She may drink generous _Wine_, or good _Ale_ cautiously abstaining from all _small Drinks_, and other such like noxious _Liquids_, as much as possible.

MOREOVER, _Motion_ and _Exercise_ are very convenient, not only in the _Beginning_, but also in the _Declension_ of this _DISEASE_; especially by strongly _Chafing_ and _Rubbing_, with warm _Flannels_, every Morning in _Bed_.

BUT _Sleep_ is not to be too much indulged, especially not in the _Mornings_; altho’ _she_ be _Then_ more propense to it, by reason of the abundance of _VAPOURS_ ascending to the _Brain_.

LASTLY, to perfect and confirm this _CURE_, I would recommend[33] _Hippocrates_’s sound Advice to the _Patient_; which is to the following _Purpose_, of _marrying_ betimes for the sake of _Health_, and to prevent all the future ill Consequences of this growing _Malady_.

“EGO, _inquit, Autor sum, ut Virgines hoc malo affectæ quàm celerrimè viris conjungantur; iisq; cohabitent: Si enim conceperint, convalescent. Si verò in pubertate hoc malo non corripiantur, tum paulo post eas invadit._”

UPON which excellent _Sentence_, the two following _Observations_ may, (I hope) appositely here follow and take place, _viz._

I. _Quod etiam Ratione & Experientiâ confirmatur[34]: Venere etenim Uterus & partes circa Uterum incalescunt, viæq; aperiuntur & laxantur, ut sanguis Menstruus postea faciliùs ad Uterum confluere & per eundem effluere possit._

II. _Rectissimè etiam dictum, convalescent, si concipiant; quia Sanguis, qui præter Naturam antea retinebatur, jam in Fœtûs Formationem absumitur; & si quid vitiosorum humorum in Utero cumulatum sit, id post partum evacuatur._

I have thought it proper to insist the _more_ upon this HEAD; because I know _none_ else among all the _Indispositions_ of Life, which can properly be accounted _peculiar_ to VIRGINS.

SOME however may think perhaps, that I had a fair Opportunity in this _Place_, to introduce the various _Diseases_ and _Symptoms_ of the _WOMB_, _VAGINA_, and _PUDENDUM_; the divers _Symptoms_ of the MENSTRUOUS FLUX, together with _Those_ which are incident to all _Women_ after PUBERTY.

WHICH _Objection_ I humbly beg leave briefly to answer, that a _twofold Reason_ dissuaded me from undertaking to treat of _Those Heads_ in this Place.

I. BECAUSE _They_ are _common_ to all WOMEN in general, and incident to the _Wife_, or _Widow_, as well as to the _Virgin_; wherefore, I hope, another _Place_ in this _BOOK_ may be assigned to _Them_, more proper and convenient than _This_, without any _Digression_.