Part 7

HERE might be indeed a great deal said upon the EFFICACY of the _Constancy of the Mind_; but because I’ve already been too prolix on this _Head_, I shall only observe, that in all our _Business_ and _Applications_, a strong _IMAGINATION_, zealous _Affection_, firm _Hope_, and stedfast _Belief_, are great Advantages, and necessary Helps. As some most excellent _Physicians_ have experimentally verified this Notion, that a strong _Belief_, and constant _Hope_, together with the _Love_ and _Confidence_ of the PATIENT towards the _Physician_, conduce very much to the Recovery of _Health_, and sometimes perhaps more than the _Medicine_ itself: Because the firm _IMAGINATION_ of the honest _Physician_ concurring (in effect) with the _Medicine_, and strongly hoping it will do him _Good_, he thereby influentially changes the _Symptoms_, and virtually alters the _Qualities_ in the _Body_ of the _Sick_; especially if the PATIENT reposes an _entire Confidence_ in him, by which means he becomes mutually disposed to receive the VIRTUE of the _Physician_, as well as _That_ of the PHYSICK.

THE[47]_Arabian Philosophers_ join’d in this Opinion, establishing it for a _Fundamental Maxim_ among them; that _whatever the constant Mind_ affected _with a fervent Desire_, _would be_ effected: As in the Case of the MIND of _Him_, who is vehemently in _Love_, whatever it _affects_, has an _Efficacy_ to cause LOVE; and so in other such like Cases.

BUT however, to come closer to the _IMAGINATION_ of the Pregnant _Woman_, who knows not that it _affects_ the INFANT in the _Womb_? Whence is it then that we have so many _deform’d Persons_, _crooked Bodies_, _ugly Aspects_, _distorted Mouths_, _wry Noses_, and the like, in all Countries; but from the _IMAGINATION_ of the _Mother_; while she either conceives such shapeless _Phantasms_ in her _Mind_, or while she frequently and intently fixes her _Eyes_ upon such _deform’d Persons_ or disagreeable _OBJECTS_? Wherefore it is very wrong, and highly imprudent in _Women_ that have conceived, to please themselves so much in playing with _Dogs_, _Squirrels_, _Apes_, &c. carrying them in their _Laps_ or _Bosoms_, and feeding, kissing, or hugging them, as I have both often heard, and seen with my own Eyes.

AND besides, the same is the Case, when the _Natural Faculties_ are all at work in _forming_, or ripening the FŒTUS; for if the _Woman_ be _surpriz’d_ at any sudden Evil, or _frighted_ at any unseemly Sight, the _Humours_ and _Spirits_ presently retire downwards, and (as it were) abscond themselves in the _Recess_ of the WOMB: From whence immediately a strong _IMAGINATION_ of the disagreeable _Thing_ (whether _seen_ or _heard_ only) seizes her _Mind_; and the _Forming Faculty_ (going on in the _Interim_) quickly impresses the _Imaginary Idea_ of _That_ thing heard off, or the _Shape_ and _Form_ of _That_ thing seen, upon the FŒTUS. The same is the _Reason_, that if a _Mouse_, _Rat_, _Weazel_, _Cat_, or the like, leaps suddenly upon a _Woman_ that has conceived, or if an _Apple_, _Pear_, _Plum_, _Cherry_, &c. fall upon any part of her _Body_; the _MARK_ of the thing (be what it will) is instantly _imprinted_, and will manifestly appear on the same _Part_, or _Member_ of the _CHILD_: unless the _Woman_ (in that very Moment) wipe _That Part_ or _Member_, and move her _Hand_ to some more remote, private, or convenient _Place_ of the _Body_: which done, the _MARK_ is actually averted, or at least stamped upon the _other Part_ touch’d, where the deep _Impression_ of the _Mind_, directs, and fixes the _IMAGINATION_; and whither the _Forming Faculty_ (not so much by any _Virtue_ of the simple TOUCH, as by _Force_ of the strong _IMAGINATION_) infallibly converts it.

IN fine, having thus briefly defin’d, and variously described the _Powers_ of _IMAGINATION_, I come in the next Place, more particularly, to treat of the Reasons of SIMILITUDE in _Children_.

CHAP. VIII. _Of the SIMILITUDE of Children._

WHATEVER may be advanced on this _Head_, the most probable and solid Reason for the _Child_’s _Likeness_ or _Resemblance_, is the _IMAGINATION_ of the _Mother_ in the ACT of _Copulation_; together with the _Liberty_ she gives herself in her _Thoughts_ and _Actions_, during the Time of _Formation_, commonly call’d the Time of _Breeding_.

HENCE it is, that whatever she intentively fixes her _Eyes_ upon, or _conceives_ and _impresses_ in her Mind, the INFANT represents the same in its _extimous Parts_: And particularly whatever OBJECT she directs her _Eyes_ or _Thoughts_ upon, in the Interval between the _Embrace_ and the _Charm_, its _Effigies_ is afterwards manifest in the CHILD. As St. _Jerom_ thus relates of a certain _Woman_, who conceiv’d and brought forth a _Black-Child_, tho’ both _She_ and her _Husband_ (the real Father) were _white_; meerly by eying a _PICTURE_ in the Bed-Chamber at that _critical Juncture_.

UPON this Chapter[48]_Pliny_ has most elegantly express’d the _Artifice_ of NATURE, together with all the _Reasons_ and _Causes_ of SIMILITUDE, to this Purpose; _viz._ “_The Cogitations of the Mind make much for the_ SIMILITUDES and RESEMBLANCES _of Children: As many other accidental Occurrences are thought to be very efficacious in the same, and that whether they come by_ Sight, Hearing, _or calling to_ Remembrance; _or by_ Imaginations _conceiv’d, and deeply apprehended in the very Act of_ Generation, _or the very Instant of_ Conception: _The inconstant_ Mind, _and wandering_ Thought, _of either_ Parent, _is justly suppos’d to be one_ Cause.”

HENCE it is, that some _Children_ favour and resemble their _Fathers_, some their _Mothers_, some their _Grandfathers_, or _Mothers_, and some their _Kinsmen_: And hence also it is, that there is more Difference and Diversity in the _Rational Kind_, than in all _other Creatures_; because the Velocity of their _Thoughts_, the Celerity of their _Minds_, and the Variety of their _Dispositions_, impress a far greater _Diversity_ of various peculiar _MARKS_: While the rest of _irrational Creatures_ have their _Minds_ continually fixed (in a manner) immoveable, steady, and alike: every _One_ of them in its own peculiar Kind, and specifick Nature.

INSOMUCH that the _Woman’s_ _IMAGINATION_ frequently induces a strange _Likeness_ to her INFANT; that is, in no Part, and in no Respect, favouring the FATHER. From whence it often happens, that a _Woman_ abusing her HUSBAND’_s_ Bed, and fearing perhaps to be surpriz’d by him in the _ACT_, brings forth (in due time) her _CHILD_, no ways _resembling_ the _real_ FATHER, (namely the GALLANT); but altogether _LIKE_ to the _injur’d_ HUSBAND.

UPON which Case the following facetious _Epigram_ was occasionally written by the famous and celebrated Sir _Thomas More_.

_“Quos ante Conjux quatuor “Natos_, SABINE, _protulit, “Multùm ecce dissimiles tui, “Tuos nec ipse deputas. “Sed quem tibi puellulum “Enixa jam nuperrimè est, “Solum tibi simillimum, “Pro quatuor complecteris. “Adulterinos quatuor “Vocas, repellis, abdicas. “Atqui graves tradunt Sophi, “Quodcunque matres interim “Imaginantur fortiter, “Dum liberis datur opera, “Ejus latenter & notas “Certas, & indelebiles “Modóque inexplicabili “In semen ipsum congeri. “Quibus receptis intimè, “Simúlque concrescentibus, “A mente Matris insitam “Natus refert imaginem. “Quum tot abesses millibus, “Dum gignit Uxor quatuor, “Quòd esset admodum tui “Secura, dissimiles parit. “Sed unus omnium hic Puer “Tui refert imaginem, “Quòd mater hunc dum concipit, “Sollicita de te plurimùm, “Te tota cogitaverat, “Dum pertimescit anxia, “Ne tu_, SABINE, _incommodus, “Velútque lupus in fabulâ “Supervenires interim._

HOWEVER, as to what relates to the _Tempers_, _Dispositions_, _Miens_, _Manners_, _Qualities_, and _Propensions_ of the MIND, daily _Examples_ convince us, that _Children_, after all, generally much resemble _Those_ of their _Progenitors_; which proceeds merely from the _Efficacy_ of the SEED, containing the Power of the natural _Faculties_ of their Minds and _vital Spirits_, which are thence infus’d into their _Posterity_.

BUT I take this _Matter_ to depend much upon the _Passion_, _Indolence_, or _Indifferency_ of the Mind, with which the ACT of _Copulation_ is perform’d. For as the _Ardour_ and _Fervency_ of the _Parents_, and their plentiful prolifick _Contribution_, tend much to the _CHILD’s_ affecting the same _Behaviour_, _Gestures_, _Actions_, _Tempers_, and _Motions_ of BODY and MIND; even sometimes to their representing the very _Nature_, and treading the very _Foot-Steps_ of their PARENTS, to so nice a degree, of an exact Resemblance, that I’ve more than once observed a MOLE-MARK of a _Father_ plainly impress’d on his _Child_. Which, I think, is also conformable to[49] _Horace_’s Meaning;

_“Fortes creantur fortibus & bonis: “Est in Juvencis, est in equis patrum “Virtus: nec imbellem feroces “Progenerant Aquilæ Columbam._

To valiant _Fathers_, valiant _Sons_ succeed; Thus _Bulls_ from _Bulls_ descend, and _martial Horses_ breed.

AND because the _Institution of Nature_, perfects its own _Gifts_, which, by the Help of _Education_, corrects _Errors_, and abolishes _Blemishes_; the _Poet_ very pertinently adds,

_“Doctrina sed vim promovet insitam, “Rectíq; Mores pectora roborant._

Yet the best _Blood_ by _Learning_ is refin’d, And _Virtue_ arms the _solid Mind_; Whilst _Vice_ will stain the _noblest Race_, And the _paternal Stamp_ efface.

BUT, however yet, there are many _Parents_ still less salacious and less fervid; who rather vilify, than covet, and rather abstain from, than delight themselves in this _Encounter_. In short, there are some of both Sexes, who, in patiently gratifying their active _Consorts_, esteem it rather a sort of _Hardship_ and _TASK_ for _Family-Quiet_, than any incumbent _DUTY_ of _Nuptial Benevolence_; Which[50]St. _Paul_ seems to allude to, by calling it the _defrauding of one the other_.

FROM hence it is, that _Children_ often degenerate from the _Nature_ and _Qualities_ of their PARENTS; from hence also it is, that _brisk Men_ sometimes have _stupid_, and _wise Men_ frequently beget _foolish Children_. This happens only because of the _Indifferency_, _Indolence_, or _Coldness_, either of Mind or Constitution, in their _Conjugal Pleasures_: The dull heavy _Faculty_ of their _Inclinations_ to the ACT, being diffus’d and transmitted through the SEED into the _Infant_, according to _Catullus_;

_“Naturæ sequitur semina quisque suæ._

BUT farther still, the SEED flowing from the _principal Parts_ of the Body, comprehends in itself the _Vigour_ and _Quality_ of their respective Members: Whence it follows, that _Diseases_, _Imperfections_, _Blemishes_, or any other _Deformity_, inherent in any _Part_ of the PARENTS, becomes commonly _hereditary_ to their CHILDREN.

THIS is the Case of the whole Dutchy of upper _Styria_, where all the _Natives_ have a huge _Excrescence_ of FLESH, which grows up with the _Body_ (however visibly increasing and decreasing with the MOON) generally lying upon the Left side from the _Jaw-bone_, and hanging downwards: So that the _Women_ giving SUCK of that _Breast_, commonly cast this _carnous Excrescence_ (which they call CRAPE) over their Shoulders. This is so _Natural_ to them, and remarkable, that in a Journey once from _Venice_ to _Vienna_, passing thro’ the chief Town of that Country, call’d _Judenburg_, I had the Curiosity to go off the _Post-Waggon_, into the _Church_, with five other Gentlemen, Fellow-Passengers, to be better satisfy’d of the Truth of it. The _People_ were at MASS, but the sight of us soon confounded, or at least disturb’d their _Devotion_; for in a Moment, the Eyes of the whole _Congregation_ were staring upon us, wondering to see so many _deform’d Men_ (as they call’d us) in that Place at one Time.

AND the same is the only Reason, that most _Children_ in _Spain_ and _Portugal_, are born with some SYMPTOMS of the _Venereal Disease_; which, however, is without any infectious _Malignity_, and so _Natural_ to them, that they seldom apply to the _Doctor_ for CURE, until the Case becomes more dangerous or desperate by the _Party’s_ own Means: which generally happens to them in a very few Years, being exceedingly _Salacious_ from their INFANCY, because of the stimulating _Acrimony_ of the _putrid Humours_ of the Body, which they only strive to mitigate, or allay, by _continual_ WHORING.

FROM what’s already said, we see that the _Efficacy_ of the _Father’s_ SEED is very considerable; insomuch, that indeed many calamitous _Misfortunes_ may derive from it, to his _Posterity_: But it is, however, to be strictly observ’d, that what _Disorder_ soever of a vitious Nature derives itself this way from the _Mother_, hath yet the greater _Malignity_, and more powerful _Effect_ upon her _CHILDREN_[51]; the _Habits_ of her Body, Good or Bad, her _Virtues_ or _Vices_, taking still a deeper _Root_, or firmer _Footing_ in the Constitution of the FOETUS. Which _Distinction_, in short, must needs be a most plain _Case_, considering that the _Maternal Blood_ is its chief ALIMENT, and the very _secundary ORIGIN_ of its _Procreation_.

AND this, in fine, is the only _natural Reason_ to be given, why many _Things_, no ways commendable in either SEX, are the less excusable in the WOMAN.

SECT. III.

CHAP. I. _Of CONCEPTION._

CONCEPTION, in a word, is _Two-fold_; True and _Natural_, or False and _Præternatural_. It is call’d _True_, in opposition to a _False Conception_; and _Natural_, because it answers to the _Institution of Nature_. Wherefore I shall begin with _This_, and conduct the _Woman_, who has truly and naturally _conceiv’d_, thro’ the different _Stages_ of Life she is to pass; describing plainly, and laying before her the many various _Scenes_ of every respective _Stage_, which can any ways affect her Person.

IN this nice Affair, like a faithful PILOT, in a _narrow Channel_, I shall not only point out the _Barrs_ and _Rocks_, on which she may be _Shipwreck’d_; but also direct and prescribe her _Course_, by which she may _sail_ safe into her wish’d-for PORT: Where when I have duly secur’d _Herself_ and her _Cargo_ to the Best of my Capacity, I shall thereafter proceed in their Order, to treat of the different _Preternatural Conceptions_; as I shall in this place now discourse only of the _Natural_.

THIS _Natural Conception_ then, is the first principal _Action_, and peculiar _Function_ of the WOMB, in duly commixing and fomenting the retain’d SEEDS of _Man_ and _Woman_: Since as the SEED of _Plants_ requires the Matrix of the _Earth_, to nourish it well, and safely defend it; so doth _That_ SEMINAL _Virtue_ of _Men_, the WOMB, in this _Act_ of _CONCEPTION_.

BUT as to the _Time_ of _CONCEPTION_, I cannot but differ from _Those_, who protract and put it off till the _seventh Day_ from the first _Seminal Retention_, for I am clearly of Opinion with _Lud. Mercatus_[52], that if the SEED be retain’d _seven Hours_, the _Woman_ hath CONCEIV’D: Neither can I find sufficient Reason to think _Nature_ one Moment _Idle_, much less _seven Days_. Therefore _CONCEPTION_ ought to be reckoned, from the very _Day_[53] of the _First Retention_.

HOWEVER yet, it is certain that, if the _Debility_ of the SEED, or WOMB, or _Both_, happen to hinder or impugn the Work, _Nature_ ejects the GENITURA, or _Thing conceiv’d_, on the _seventh_ Day; which Time is the common _Crisis_ of all _Diseases_, and _Morbifick Accidents_: Whereas if no such _Effluxion_ happens about that Time, _CONCEPTION_[54] is certain, and _Formation_ goes on.

THIS _True CONCEPTION_ is likewise known by many various _Signs_; whereof I shall mention a _Few_, not out of any vain Curiosity, but meer Necessity: Because, supposing a _Woman_ to labour under any dangerous _acute Disease_, it is of the greatest _Importance_, to be certain, whether she hath conceiv’d, or not; by reason that the Means of her _future Relief_ must (of Necessity) be adapted to her _present Condition_.

CHAP. II. _Of the Signs of CONCEPTION._

THE _Signs_ of CONCEPTION are many and various, and accordingly some more, some less _certain_, as hereafter set forth; whereof I shall only mention such as are most common and familiar to the _Generality_ of WOMEN: _viz._

I. THE _Retention_ or _Suppression_ of the MENSTRUA; when not occasion’d by some other _Indisposition_.

II. SUDDEN _Weakness_, _Feebleness_, and _Imbecility_ of the Body and Limbs.

III. LAZINESS, _Weariness_, and _Sleepiness_, with a _Heaviness_ of the whole Body; but especially of the _Reins_ and the _Thighs_.

IV. A sort of little SPOTS, or hard WARTS, arising in the _Face_ and _Forehead_.

V. A small _Pain_ about the NAVEL, and _Commotions_ in the _lower_ BELLY.

VI. COLD Shivering, and trembling _Fits_; wandring _Pains_, and _Head-Aches_.

VII. LOSS of wonted _Colour_, sunk _Eyes_, discolour’d _Eye-Balls_: A sparkling _Dimness_, and _Glimmering_ of the EYES; the _Ball_ growing less, and the _White_ larger.

VIII. A _Protuberancy_ or Swelling of the VEINS, and BREASTS; their growing _Hard_, and giving _Pain_: As the NIPPLES become firm, large, and dark-colour’d, with a _livid Circle_ around them.

THESE and many other _Signs_ often occur upon _CONCEPTION_; but except a _Plurality_ of them meet in _one Person_, they are not absolutely to be rely’d on: It being a _Vulgar Error_ among _Women_, to calculate precisely from the Time of _missing_ their MONTHS; for as _These_ are often suppress’d, without any such manifest _Cause_; so I have known some _Plethorick_ Persons, who have had them several repeated times after Conception.

YEA, I was once given to understand by a LADY of Distinction, in the City of _Berlin_, that she never had _Them_, till she first _conceiv’d_ in the 19th Year of her Age; and then they came in _regular Course_, without any _Detriment_, during the whole FOETURA, or time of _Gestation_: After which, she had _Them_ no more, till she _conceiv’d_ again, when _They_ return’d, and continued as formerly; and thus it constantly happen’d to her, till she had done _Child-bearing_.

THERE are _other_ more certain _Signs_ of _CONCEPTION_; touching which, let it suffice, that the _Physician_ knows them, from the _Relation_ of the PATIENT: And to these may be added the _Symptoms_ of the _MONTHS_.

BUT notwithstanding all the positive _Diagnosticks_, which most Men have been, hitherto, guided by; I have met with so many _Fallibilities_ in this Point, that I shou’d readily have come into the Opinion of[55] _Paulus Sacchias_, and deny’d the _Certainty_ of _PREGNANCY_, even at an _advanc’d Time_, had I not been better instructed by Those most excellent _Physicians_ and MEN-MIDWIVES, Sig. _Garofanzzo_ of _Padua_, and _Pfizerus_ of _Wittenberg_; who agree in certain _infallible Signs_, which put an end to all my _Doubts_, as well as to the grand _Controversy_, touching _CONCEPTION_.

AS to those common _Signs_, which discover the _CONCEPTION_ of a _Boy_ from a _Girl_, or _Vice Versa_; finding _them_ tend only to _Curiosity_, and to no real _Advantage_, I cannot think it worth while to allow them any Place _Here_.

CHAP. III. _Of the DIET and REGIMEN of the Pregnant Woman._

I Come now, agreeable to my Promise, in the _First Chapter_ of this SECTION, to direct and prescribe to the _Woman conceiv’d_ her due COURSE: Whom I would have to consider, _First_, that she is in a very narrow and dangerous SEA; and, _Secondly_, that, as the PILOT cannot be always upon the _Watch_; so the Safety of SHIP and CARGO depends entirely upon the _Care_, _Conduct_, and _Steady Hand_ of the skilful STEERSMAN.

WHEREFORE the _Woman_ being now satisfy’d of her _CONCEPTION_, she is to observe a quite different _Oeconomy_ in her _Way of Living_, from what she formerly practis’d: Since a _double Mischief_ may be the Result of one _single Fault_ in this Case; the _INFANT_ always participating of what affects the _MOTHER_. And therefore she is now not only to take Care of _Herself_, but also of her _Embryo_, or the _Fruit_ of her WOMB; especially in the _First Months_, when it may be justly compared to the tender BLOSSOMS of _Trees_, which are easily _blasted_, or _shaken-off_ by the least Accident of _Wind_ or _Rain_.

THIS _Regimen_, which I am about to speak of, is _Two-fold_; the _One_ for such _Women_ as find themselves in a good _State of Health_, by way of _Prevention_: The _Other_ for those of the _tenderer Sort_ of Constitutions, who begin to suffer immediately under the common _Symptoms_: Upon which Affair I shall give a few necessary _Precautions_ adapted to _Both_, with all possible Discretion and Judgment.

I. THE _Conceiv’d Woman_ then is to observe a good, wholesome, and regular _DIET_; since _Errors_ committed that way, with respect either to _Quantity_ or _Quality_, may be of _double Damage_; I mean, both to the MOTHER and the INFANT. She should therefore eat rather _Often_, than _Much_ at a _Meal_; especially at _Nights_, without fasting too long at any Time.

II. SHE is discreetly to avoid all unwholesome, or intemperate _Air_, and not expose herself to any EXCESS of _Heat_ or _Cold_.

III. SHE must not desire rashly to walk much abroad in _Moon-Shine_, nor to _wash_ her Head in _Sun-Shine_.

IV. SHE ought not to frequent _Gardens_; and that for the following _Two-fold Reason_: FIRST, lest perchance she happen to sit or tread upon some _Herb_ of a pernicious _Quality_; as divers are, in provoking _Abortion_: SECONDLY, lest she covet some _Fruit_ or _Herbs_, which may be of Damage or Inconveniency if _allow’d_, and the same if _deny’d_ Her.

V. SHE is prudently to avoid all _Odoriferous_ or _Perfum_’d, as well as _Stinking Nauseous_ SMELLS.

VI. SHE must carefully shun _sitting_ or _lying hard_, and also _lifting_ any heavy _Weight_, or her _Arms_ above her _Head_.

VII. SHE ought purposely to forbear all _hard Labour_, and _violent Emotions_ of Body.

VIII. SHE is prudently to avoid all Apprehensions of _Fears_ and _Frights_, and not to be _surpriz’d_ at any thing she hears or sees.

IX. SHE is cautiously to decline _Watchings_, and sitting up late at _Nights_; but must indulge _moderate Sleep_.

X. SHE must not _lace_ herself (as _before_) with _Whalebone-Stays_, nor use _Busks_; which may not only spoil her _Breasts_ and _Belly_, but also _mis-shape_ the INFANT, if _Abortion_ does not immediately follow.

XI. SHE ought discreetly to suppress all _Anger_, _Passion_, and other _Perturbations_ of Mind, and avoid entertaining too _serious_ or _melancholick Thoughts_; since all _such_ tend to impress a _Depravity_ of Nature upon the INFANT’S _Mind_, and _Deformity_ on its _Body_.

XII. SHE is not to be too _Busy_, or _Attentive_, fixing her _Eyes_ too much upon any one OBJECT; especially on deformed _ugly Persons_, or any such accidental _disagreeable Sight_.