Chapter III: IF from corrupted Humours, the PATIENT not only Purges

regularly, but also enjoys her HUSBAND: Hence in this _Case_, I would conclude that she either labours, or has labour’d under some _Uterine Distemper_, such as a _Satyriasis_, _Pruritus_, _Furor_, _Gonorrhæa_, _Fluor Muliebris_, _Ulcers_, _Impostumes_, a former _Suppression_, or _Irregularity_ of the MENSTRUA, or the like: As also many _Learned Men_ agree that a _Præternatural Situation_[241], namely, the WOMB’S ascending to the _superior Parts_, compressing the LIVER and DIAPHRAGMA, and consequently the _Lungs_, HEART, or STOMACH, may induce various SUFFOCATIONS; Which, I think, is also confirm’d by _Reason_ and _Experience_. For——

WHO knows not that the _Ligaments_ of the WOMB, may be so relaxed and extended, that it may fall down to the very KNEES, as I have seen it? And who may not thence conceive that in the same _Laxity_ of the _Ligaments_, the WOMB may be as well driven upwards by _Winds_, _Vapours_, or too much gross BLOOD in the _Ligaments_; or by ungrateful _Odours_ approaching the WOMB, as it may also be attracted by pleasant and grateful _Smells_ at the _Nose_? Not that I mean here, by the by, that the WOMB is capable of _Smelling_, and therefore shuns disagreeable _Fœtors_; but only that its _Spirits_ and _Heat_, especially in _Those_, who abound with deprav’d _Humours_, are attracted either way by agreeable _Odours_, or fragrant _Smells_.

NOW in this _Case_, the WOMB may be plainly found by the _Touch_, ascended in the Form of a round _Ball_; Which however may be easily brought down, and replaced in its _natural Posture_, by any skilful experienced _Hand_, previously well anointed with the OIL of _Spike_, _Spikenard_, _White Lillies_, or the like. Again farther, to prevent its _Return_, some nauseous _Smells_, may be apply’d to the _Nose_, or the _Reverse_ to the PUDENDUM; as also the superiour _Parts_ of the Body may be tyed strait with proper _Bands_ or _Ligaments_.

BUT more particularly, as to the proper _Diagnosticks_ of the imminent PAROXYSM, or approaching FIT of _Suffocation_, these are, _Grumblings_ in the ABDOMEN, a _Distention_ and _Pulsation_ in the BACK and _Hypochondriacks_, a _Weariness_ of the whole Body, an _Imbecillity_ of the LEGS, _Belching_, _Nauseating_, _Gaping_, a _pale Face_, and a _sad Countenance_; attended at last with the aforesaid Sense of _Strangulation_, as if the PATIENT was a-swallowing a _Ball_, _&c._ As also I have known _some Women_ to have been taken with a long FIT of _Laughter_ upon this occasion, _others_ with that of _Crying_; as probably _some_ may confusely _act both_ at once.

HOWEVER, It is to be observ’d in this place, that, as the _Distemper_ is not equally violent in _All_, nor always attended by the _same_, or the same number of _Symptoms_; so neither are the FITS equally long or frequent, but invade and seize the PATIENT according to the quick or slow gathering of the _Morbifick Humours_, which are also sooner or later discussed: Which _Humorous Particles_ in our Bodies, like as in intermitting _Fevers_, have their due Times of _Digestion_, _Accumulation_, and _Exaltation_; which _Height_ as soon as they have arrived to, they suddenly, and as it were in a Moment, break out into _Action_: Or else _These Humours_ may lye dormant in the Body, until by some _Procatarctick_, or _External Cause_, they are exagitated, and set at _Work_.

NOW this _Agitation_ of HUMOURS depends not only upon the _Course_ of the SUN and MOON, but also sometimes more particularly upon the _Change_ of the AIR, and the _Motion_ of the SEA. As to the _Solar_ and _Lunar Influences_ upon the _Animal Machine_, they are already abundantly set forth[242], wherefore I shall resume Nothing of _them_ in this place: And as to the _Efficiency_ of the AIR, I would observe it to be always most considerable about the _Two Equinoxes_; as at these _Seasons_ the most impetuous _Winds_ and violent _Storms_ happen; and that continually the most severe at _Noon_ and _Midnight_; that is to say, when the SUN is in our _Zenith_, or in the _Nadir_, _viz._ in the _vertical Point_ over our _Heads_, or the quite _opposite_ under[243] our _Feet_. These _Changes_ however come a little before the _Vernal Equinox_, but follow the _Autumnal_; because of the various _Distances_ of the MOON in its _Perigæum_ and _Apogæum_.

MOREOVER, at these _Seasons_, and indeed at all Times, the AIR swells or rises highest, at _New_ and _Full_ MOON, from the conjunct Power of both the _Planets_: Hence the diligent _Mariners_ and _Husbandmen_ always observe the _Weather_ to change, and _Winds_ to rise upon these Occasions; and, not only so, but also, a constant and certain RECOURSE of _Winds_ and _Weather_ to happen at certain _Seasons_ of the Year; and _that_ from some certain necessary _Natural Cause_, which always acts in the same manner.

As to the _Motion_ of the SEA, its Efficacy upon the _Animal Fabrick_, may be easily comprehended, considering only what is said; together with this Truth, that, at all _Seasons_, the AIR is highest, and the _Winds_ strongest, when the TIDE of the _Flood_ is at its highest Ascent. For as the SEA swells, so the _Ambient_ AIR in 25 Hours, is twice raised to a considerable great _Height_, from the _Attraction_ of the MOON approaching the _Meridian_: And the same swelling of the AIR must necessarily follow, as often as the SUN comes to the _Meridian_ of any place, either above or below the HORIZON; tho’ (as aforesaid) it is always _highest_ at _New_ and _Full_ MOON: And _lowest_ of all, when the MOON is but half _Full_; the _Planets_ then drawing each a contrary way: As it is _middling_, during the Time between the dimidiated _Orbs_ of the MOON, and the _New_ and _Full_ MOON[244].

CONSIDERING then that the _Ambient_ AIR and the surrounding SEA are both _fluid Bodies_, and that the _Changes_ of the ONE agree so exactly with the _Tide_ of the OTHER, we may rationally conclude, that they are both (in a great measure) subject to the same LAWS of _Motion_[245]. Hence it is, that, the great _Physician_[246] says, that the _Fluxes_ and _Refluxes_ of both these ELEMENTS are so ordain’d, by the Wise _Councell_ of the Almighty CREATOR, to keep them from _Stagnations_ and _Corruptions_, which would be noxious to all _Creatures_, that by these means are preferred in a better Condition. Which is also confirm’d by _Experience_, from that, in clear and open places such _Valetudinarians_ as are ready to _Die_, recover their _Health_, and the _Soundest Constitution_ in moist close places, grows SICK.

FROM the whole, it is evident, that the _Motions_ of the AIR at the flowing of the SEA, upon the _New_ and _Full_ MOON, and in the _Æquinoxes_, change the _Fabrick_ of the _Animal Bodies_: But these _Changes_ are always most remarkable in those of _weak_ and _sickly Constitutions_; whereas those of _Strong_ and _Healthy Bodies_ more readily repel or evade their _Influences_. Hence it is that our _Bodies_ so much _Sympathize_, and so manifestly _correspond_ with the _Cœlestials_, as the Experience of a great many Ingenious _Authors_ testify[247]: And hence again it is that the HYSTERICK, no less than any _other_ PATIENT, keeps Time strictly with these _Superiour Bodies_, as the _Register_ of a vast many Examples, and even daily _Experience_ it self teaches for Truth. Now having thus far prosecuted the _Diagnosticks_, as well with respect to the _Times_ and _Seasons_ of the PAROXYSMS, as to the _Signs_ and _Symptoms_ of the _Distemper_, I come at length to——

THE _Prognosticks_ of this _Uterine_ SUFFOCATION, which I shall but briefly hint upon; and FIRST, observe, that where the HUMOURS overcharge the _Body_, and are implicated among themselves; in this _Case_ the FITS do not always keep their _Legitimate Times_, nor their _proper Insults_, but are sometimes more _frequent_, more _sharp_, and more _diuturnal_; in like manner, as a _Concourse_ of WINDS excites the most violent STORMS, according to the _Poet_[248],

_“Unà Eurusque Notusque ruunt, creberque procellis
“Africus, & vastos volvunt ad Littora Fluctus:_

So a _Concourse_ and _Confluxion_ of HUMOURS, must needs aggravate the _Distemper_; but more especially, when the afflicted _PATIENT_ is taken with a _Complication_ of _Distempers_, such as when the _HYSTERICK_ _FIT_ is join’d with a _Syncope_, or severe _Convulsions_, &c. _then_ the _Case_ is most dangerous.[249]

—— —— —— _“Nam corpore in Uno
“Frigida cum Calidis Pugnant, Humentia Siccis,
“Mollia cum duris, Sine pondere habentia pondus._

These Things, consisting in the _Corruption_ and _Inflammation_, or in the _Quantity_ and _Quality_ of the _peccant HUMOURS_, concur with the _other Causes_, above defin’d, that the _Circulations_ of the _Distemper_ are either shorter or longer, more frequent or more rare, or more safe or more dangerous in the Event.

SECONDLY, I observe in this place, that, if the _Distemper_ does not carry off the _PATIENT_, as often happens in the foregoing _Condition_, it commonly degenerates at last into an _Apoplexy_, or _Palsy_, _Stupidity_, or deep _Melancholy_, &c. Wherefore I come now _finally_ to treat of the Method of its _Cure_; which is twofold, _One_ in the _Access_ or _FIT_, and _another_ in the _Interval_. Then as to the _First_——

IN the _FIT_, _Revulsive_ and _Repressing Remedies_ are most apposite, together with _Corroboratives_ for the _HEART_ and _VENTRICLE_, as well as for the WOMB it self. But because _Revulsives_ are of many and different kinds, they are to be discreetly us’d, according to the Nature of the _Cause_ from whence the _Evil_ proceeds: For if suppressed BLOOD be the _Cause_, in that _Case_, _Galen_ agrees with _Hippocrates_ that an _Inferiour Vene-Section_ is convenient, and that even tho’ a _Syncope_ join the _SUFFOCATION_, because the _One_ is but the Effect of the _Other_[250]: Remembring always that such _Bleedings_ must be done with great Prudence and Caution, because of the present _Prostration_ of the _Strength_ and _Spirits_, and _Refrigeration_ of the PATIENT’s whole Body.

WHEREAS if the _PAROXYSM_ proceeds from _venenated_ _SEED_, or depraved _Humours_, no _VEIN_ is to be open’d; but instead of _That_, I would lay the _Woman_ supine in her _BED_, for breathing the freer, and loose all her _Laces_, _Garters_, &c. Then if Strong _Sternutatories_, _Fœtid Smells_, _Vellication_ of her _Ears_, _Nostrils_, _Pilorumve Pudendi_, did not help her _Condition_; I would use _dolorifick Ligatures_, and _Frictions_ of _THIGHS_, _LEGS_, and _FEET_; or apply _Cupping Glasses_ without _Scarification_ to the _THIGHS_ and _GROIN_ it self: As also proper _Liniments_, _Clysters_, _Suppositories_, _Pessaries_, &c. are convenient Means: And sometimes _Suffumigations_ of _GALBANUM_, _ASSAFOETIDA_, _Old Leather_, _Cloth_, _Sulphur_, _Partridge Feathers_, _Horse-Tetters_ or _Warts_, &c. Or (which is reckon’d _Best_ of all) a few of the _PATIENT_’s _Hairs_ of her _Head_, burnt, and held to her _NOSE_. Or, while I should often tickle the _NOSTRILS_ with a _Feather_, or my _Finger_ dipp’d in the sharpest _Vinegar_, _Oleum Succini_, or the like, I would anoint the _PALLET_ with _Triacle_, _Mithridate_, or such other Things dissolv’d in pleasant _WINE_.

HOWEVER, in such _Cases_, as well as in all others, _à mitioribus adhibitis, progrediendum est ad valentiora_; I say, we are to _begin with the more gentle, and proceed gradually to the more strong and powerful REMEDIES_; using all proper Means with the utmost Prudence and Discretion, and _that_ only according to the absolute Necessity and imminent Danger of the _incident Case_. Now moreover, I would add for _such_ as lose both _PULSE_ and _BREATH_, that some of the above _REMEDIES_ are not only requisite; but also, according to the excellent _Horatius Augenius_, a little generous _WINE_ with _Nutmeg_, _Cinnamon_ and _Cloves_, adding _five Grains_ of _MUSK_, is altogether proper for _this PATIENT_[251]: Tho’ for _others_, who have not quite lost all _Sense_ and _Motion_, nothing is perhaps more pernicious than the _USE_ of such _Odoriferous Matters_, since I have known several _Women_ to have been immediately _suffocated_, even by the very _Smell_ of _MUSK_, _CIVET_, _AMBER_, &c. But when the Sick _PATIENT_ lies (as above) for _dead_, if such _Odours_ can excite the _WOMB_, they can likewise move the _Arteries_, and give Hopes of _Recovery_; upon which occasion also, I would apply hot _Sear-Cloths_ to the _Regions_ of the _HEART_ and _WOMB_: Or, if I suspected the _HEAD_ to abound with _frigid Humours_, I would moreover apply _Vesicatories_ behind the _EARS_, or an _Issue_, or _drawing Plaister_ to the _NAPE_ of the _Neck_, always cherishing the _STOMACH_ with proper _Fomentations_: As also according to some, the _Hoof_ of an _ELK_, is a present _REMEDY_ in all such _Suffocations_ or _FITS of the Mother_[252].

BY the above-mentioned, which are all the most prevalent _Means_ in the _ACCESS_, we will now suppose the _PATIENT_ to be _recover’d_; in which _Case_, the next step needful, is to guard against, and prevent the _Return_ of the _FIT_, and consequently to _Cure_ the _DISEASE_; which can only be effected by removing the _Cause_, whatever it may be: And _This_, in my Opinion, may be most effectually perform’d in manner following, _viz._——

IF the _Distemper_ proceeds from the _suppressed BLOOD_ or _MENSTRUA_, This is by proper _Means_ to be reduced to its _Natural Course_ and _Condition_. If from a retain’d _Seminal Matter_ in the _Uterine Vessels_, the _Cure_ depends chiefly upon a proper _Regimen_ of _Diet_ and _Exercise_; frequent gentle _Purges_, and repeated inferiour _Venæ-Sections_: Whereas if already collected and venenated in the _WOMB_, and the _Body_ consequently _refrigerated_, no _VEIN_ may properly be touch’d or open’d; but in this _Case_, as if the _Evil_ proceeded from _vitious putrid HUMOURS_, it is to be evacuated in the same manner, as in _other Conditions_ of the _humid Intemperature_ of the _WOMB_; always corroborating and fortifying the more affected or debilitated _Parts_.

NOW this Method of _Cure_, in short, being taken from the wisest of the _Ancients_[253], I shall farther add _one_ singular and essential _Step_ towards the perfecting of it; namely, if it be so, that the most severe and dangerous _Symptoms_ of this _DISTEMPER_ proceed from the _Retention_ of the _vitiated SEED_; then of Course and without Controversy, the _HYSTERICK PASSION_ must needs be most familiar to _WIDOWS_ and _marriageable VIRGINS_; to whom I must finally say, _Let them Marry_.

_Si tales etenim pruriginosas, Connubio destinari contingat, ac Semen subdito virili Pessulo elici, in usumq, procreandæ Sobolis depromi, protinus illas efflorescere videas, ac faciem roseo, nitidóq; colore perfundi, blandas denique atque Amabiles, minúsq; tetricas ac morosas. Quod etiam docet_ GALENUS, _Exemplo viduæ cujusdam, quæ multo Semine effuso, à Symptomatibus integrè est liberata[254]. Itaq; dico, tales dissuetæ maturæve viro sunt tempestive elocandæ._ In fine, _MARRIAGE_ will very much help such indisposed Persons, according to the Wise _Judgment_, _Advice_ and _Direction_ of the best Antient _WRITERS_.