and continues to the 4th _Month_: Against which time, part of the
_vitious Humours_ are excreted or thrown up by _Vomiting_, and the
Remainder (by degrees) imbib’d by the _growing Infant_; which _Humours_
being so consum’d, the _Distemper_ ceases of Course.
THIS _Effect_ is more extreme and disorderly in bearing a GIRL than a
BOY; the _pituitous Humours_ having less _Concoction_, because of the
want of requisite _Heat_: Which for the same Reason also occasions
disagreeable _Flatulencies_, _Belchings_, and _Fluctuations_.
I have, in the Course of my Experience, observ’d this _Evil_ to be most
common in _Holland_; partly because of the _thick_ condensed _Air_ of
the Country, and partly because the _Commonalty_ of the _Women_ live but
on gross and cold Food, Fruit, Acids, _&c._ and are consequently of a
cold humid _Temperature_, very subject to this Evil.
THE _Diagnostick Signs_ of this _SYMPTOM_, are Weakness of _Body_,
Dissolution of _Limbs_, Gnawing of _Stomach_, Loathing of _wholesome
Food_, (and even _That_ very often which the _Party_ lov’d before)
_Anxiety_, _Pensiveness_, frequent _Spittings_, and (at several times)
_Vomitings_.
IF the _Ventricle_ or _Stomach_ is only slightly affected with some sort
of _viscous_ and _frigid Humours_, the _Party_ generally _longs_ for
_sharp_ and _tart Meats_; if with _calid_ and _hot_ ones, she craves for
those which are _bitter_ and _biting_: But if more severely affected,
with _Humours_ of some perverse _occult Quality_, she longs for _strange
unaccountable Matters_; and hence it is that all _monstrous APPETITES_
proceed.
BUT if such _Humours_ become _Connatural_ to the _Woman_, by the _deep
Impression_ of Diuturnity, she longs for things _resembling_ the very
same _Nature_ of the _Humours_: As for Example, if they be of a
_burning_ or _parching Nature_, she covets to eat _COALS_, _CINDERS_,
&c. if of a _gross_ and _thick Quality_, _CHALK_, _LIME_, &c. if of a
_Saltish_ Kind, _SALT_ itself: if of a _Melancholick_ Temper, _EARTH_,
_CLAY_, _DUST_, &c. For because, as the Thing _containing_ changes the
_Contents_, so the _Contents_ (in process of time, by Force of _constant
Impression_) change the Thing _containing_. In like manner as _deprav’d
Wine_ imparts a vitious _Taste_ or _Savour_ to the _CASK_, so those
_Humours_ convert the Temperature of the _STOMACH_ into their own
_Natural Qualities_.
THE Similitude and Dissimilitude of _Humours_ and _Temperature_, may be
thus known and distinguished, _viz._ The APPETITE, longing for things of
a _like_ or _resembling Nature_ (as above), remains still _unsatisfy’d_,
tho’ plentifully indulg’d with the Thing desir’d: Whereas the APPETITE
of _different_ or[60]_discording_ Things, having obtain’d the Thing
_long’d_ for, is easily _satiated_, and immediately ceaseth.
THIS _Malicious_ or _Lusting SYMPTOM_, is most _dangerous_; degenerating
commonly into a _Cacochymy_, _Dropsy_, _Phthisick_, or some other heavy
_Disease_.
BUT the greatest Hardship or Misfortune, after All, is _This_; that, if
the _Woman_ doth not indulge her corrupt _APPETITE_, she _languishes_
and _pines_ to such a degree, that her[61]Life is often endanger’d,
together with the FOETUS, by the Disappointment: and if she does so
gratify herself, _This_ often proves of the worst of Consequences, even
sometimes to a mortal Fatality.
HOWEVER, in short, this _SYMPTOM_ is like many _Others_, more easily
_prevented_, than _cur’d_: Wherefore all _Women_, as soon as they
_conceive_, ought (at repeated Times) to use proper _Anti-kittean
Medicines_ (that is, against _PICA_ or _Longing_) and be very careful of
their _Regimen_ and _Diet_: But when, perhaps, by neglect of those
_Means_, the _Distemper_ appears inordinate, the Method of CURE consists
in evacuating the Humours, and in absterging, alterating, and
corroborating the STOMACH.
[Illustration]
CHAP. VIII.
_Of CHOLICKS and GRIPES._
THO’ the _Cholick_ derives its Name from the Gut _Colon_, I mean by it
not precisely that _Pain_ which affects _This_ only, but that also which
usually invades other _Guts_, whether thin or thick; because one _Gut_
seems not to be more subject than another to this Pain; the _Contexture_
of all of _them_ being the same every where. So that the _Cholick_ is
nothing else than a sorrowful _Sensation_ of a very sharp _Pain_,
infesting the _Guts_, or the Nervous _Plexus_, or _Membranes_ in their
Neighbourhood, proceeding from wandering _Winds_ and _Flatulencies_ in
the ABDOMEN, or lower Belly; arising from the _Humours_ aggregated about
the WOMB: which, dissipating themselves, distend the _Intestines_, and
excite most severe _Pains_ about the NAVEL.
THESE _Effects_ may also proceed from indurated _Excrements_ in the
RECTUM; or from any _other Matter_, which either compresses, obstructs,
or erodes the _Intestines_: Hence _Physicians_ commonly take notice of
_Three_ different Sorts of _Cholicks_; namely, the _Flatulent_, the
_Bilous_, and the _Pituitous_.
NOW _These_ are All thus distinguished: The _Wind-Cholick_ traverses the
Belly, and gives an excruciating wandring _Pain_ in the VISCERA, or
_Bowels_, &c. The _Bilous_ induces a certain Pain, with a very sensible
_Mordacity_; and is generally attended with _Thirst_ and a _Bitterness_
in the MOUTH: The _Pituitous_ gives a most sharp penetrating fixed
_Pain_, resembling (as it were) a driven _Stake_, or perforating
_Instrument_; attended with a _Nausea_, _Vomiting_, and _Retention_ of
Excrements, _&c._ This last Sort _Galen_ calls the most cruel CHOLICK.
HOWEVER I take it to be the _First_ of these, which most commonly
afflicts the _Conceiv’d Woman_; generated of improper _Diet_, or
proceeding from an irregular _Regimen_: And _This_ is also sometimes so
excessive, that I’ve seen the _PATIENT_ fall by its Extremity into a
_Lipothymia_, or _Swooning-Fit_, which generally presages _ABORTION_, if
not seasonably prevented by proper _Discutients_, and convenient _Diet_,
_&c._
[Illustration]
CHAP. IX.
_Of a DIARRHEA, or LOOSENESS._
A _Looseness_, in my Sense, is an immoderate, frequent and sudden going
to STOOL: in which the _liquid_ and _diluted_, as well as _sharp_ and
_peccant_, _Excrements_ are voided, which is commonly preceded by the
_Belly-ach_ and _Gripes_.
IT differs from a LIENTERIA, in that the _Excrements_ are not
indigested, unaltered, or _Chylous_, nor the STOOLS so quick after
Meals: As it also differs from the _bloody Hepatick_, and _Hemorrhoidal
Flux_, in that no _Blood_, _Matter_, or _Liquor_ like that, in which
Meat may have been wash’d, is voided with the _Excrements_.
SOME _Loosenesses_ are call’d _Bilous_, when so much of the sharp _Gall_
is expell’d as tinges the _Excrements Yellow_, however mix’d with other
_serous Matter_: _Others_ are call’d _serous_ and _pituitous_, in which
viscous watery _Humours_, less impregnated with GALL, are frequently and
copiously voided.
THIS _Symptom_ may proceed from a great Variety of _Causes_: For an
_Error_ committed accidentally in _eating_ or _drinking_, or any
_Irregularity_ in the way of Living may occasion it. [62] _HIPPOCRATES_
and many _others_, justly observe this _Case_ to be dangerous; because
it not only relaxes and debilitates the _Body_ of the WOMAN, and
_Ligaments_ of the INFANT; but also necessarily impairs its requisite
_Nourishment_, and provokes _Nature_ to an _untimely Expulsion_ of the
tender Fruit. Which unhappy _Consequence_ ought (by all means) to be
prevented, if possible, and the grievous _Affection_ to be cured without
any Loss of Time: Now I presume _That_ may be done _first_, by gentle
_Abstergents_ and _Corroborants_; and _Then_ afterwards by proper
_Restringents_ and _Strengthners_.
[Illustration]
CHAP. X.
_Of the TOOTH-ACH._
THE _Cause_ of this SYMPTOM, proceeds from the sharper part of the
_Humours_; which, ascending to the _Head_, vitiates the BLOOD, and
thence occasions a _effluxion_ of _Rheum_ upon the TEETH: So that _This_
vitious _Rheum_ fixing itself at some of their _Roots_, affects the
_Membranous Parts_ so sensibly, that instead of a small _Ach_, it proves
a great _Pain_, and almost intolerable _Torment_ to the SUFFERER.
THIS ill _Affection_ may also proceed from some _Frigid_ or _Calid_,
_Serous_ or _Salt-Humour_, falling down upon the _Membrane_ of the JAWS,
or _Nerves_ of the TEETH: Where, if it corrupts and lies putrefying, it
commonly engenders WORMS.
IN all which _Cases_, I humbly conceive, it may be _cur’d_ by Variety of
respective _Means_, according to the different Quality of the CAUSE,
whether _Frigid_, _Calid_, _Serous_, _Saltish_, or _Acrimonious_:
Otherways it ceases (of itself) in process of Time, by good Conduct and
keeping warm, &c.
[Illustration]
CHAP. XI.
_Of the HEAD-ACH._
OF all the _Parts_ of the Body, the HEAD is most expos’d to _Pains_;
that is, to a troublesome and grievous _Sensation_ of the _Membranous
Parts_; proceeding from _Vapours_ of the noxious _Humours_; which
ascending to the HEAD, distend and rend, in a manner, the _Membranes_ of
the BRAIN.
THE _Parts_ most commonly affected, are the _Hairy Scalp_, the
_Pericranium_, and the _Diploe_; That is, the medullous _Duplicature_ of
the CRANIUM, otherways call’d the _Meditullium_: For these _Parts_, by a
continual _Solution_, when it happens so, are always most severely
pain’d. But besides, in a _Woman_ that has conceiv’d, the _Pains_
commonly shift and move from one Place, to another, of the HEAD; and
take certain _Intervals_, longer or shorter, betwixt their _Access_ and
_Recess_.
BUT as the _Infant_ grows, and exhausts a greater Quantity, or at last
the _whole_ of the BLOOD; and as the _Humours_ fix in their proper
Place: So this SYMPTOM gradually goes off, and quite ceases.
HOWEVER, in case the _Accesses_ be long and violent, they may be
discreetly _cur’d_ by repelling and mitigating _Applications_, or by
peculiar _Corroboratives_ and _Discutients_, or proper _Alteratives_,
according to the _Nature_ and _Quality_ of the CAUSE. I refer what may
be farther added on this Head, to _Sect._ IX. _Chap._ 3.
[Illustration]
CHAP. XII.
_Of the MEGRIM, or VERTIGO._
THIS _Symptom_ begins with a _Swimming_, _Giddiness_, or _Dizziness_ of
the HEAD, and proceeds (in the _conceiv’d Woman_) from _Vapours_ of the
_Humours_; which, ascending partly thro’ the _Veins_ and _Arteries_
tending to the BRAIN, and partly thro’ the OESOPHAGUS or _Gullet_,
disturb the Animal Spirits.
NOW This _Distemper_ is _Two-fold_, and distinguished by the Words
VERTIGO and TENEBRICOSA; which last the _Arabian Physicians_ have call’d
_Scotomia_, I suppose from the _Greek_ Word Σκοτος, _Tenebræ_, Darkness;
and is now generally receiv’d by that Name.
BUT because this sad _Affection_ is too common to both _Sexes_, young
and old, I shall proceed to a farther Dilucidation of it, for the
universal Good and Benefit of All.
FIRST then, the[63]_VERTIGO_ is a deprav’d _Imagination_, attended with
the vitiated SENSES of _Hearing_ and _Seeing_; proceeding from the
violent Commotion of the _Animal Spirits_. _Secondly_, The _SCOTOMIA_ is
also a deprav’d _Imagination_, accompany’d with loss of _Sight_, and
sometimes of the _Motion_ of the _Animals_ affected with it, because of
some _Interruption_ in their circular Passage. In the _first Case_, the
_PATIENT_ imagines his Head only to be turn’d round, or winded about: In
the _other_, he thinks that _circular Motion_ to consist in the
_external Objects_.
NOW the _VERTIGO_ is attended with the vitiated SENSE of _Hearing_, as
well as _Seeing_: Because, as something like a _Cloud_, _Smoak_, or
_Web_, seems to appear before the PATIENT’s _Eyes_; so there is a
certain _Whistling_, _Hissing_, or Tinkling always in his _Ears_. The
SCOTOMIA, in like manner, is attended with Loss of _Sight_, and
_Motion_; because of some _Disorder_ of the _Ventricles_ of the BRAIN
obstructing or impeding the _Transition_ of the SPIRITS.
IN the VERTIGO, an _Agitation_ happens in the _Membranes_ of the VEINS
and ARTERIES, as also in the _Membranes_ of the BRAIN; by which violent
_Motion_, the very _Continent Parts_ are vehemently shaken and
concuss’d, and at length so disquieted, that the PATIENT thinks his HEAD
wheels round about.
IN the SCOTOMIA, the _Animal Spirits_ having in themselves the _Species_
of all Sensibles, and those _Species_ being presented to the
_Imagination_: As such _Images_ of external _Objects_ are moved in it,
so the _Party_ thinks the same _real Objects_ to be moved. For,
according to _Avicen_, it is the same thing, whether that which is
_seen_, or that by which we _see_, is moved: As seeing _Land_ from on
board a _Ship_, in a smooth Sea, being insensible of the _Ship’s Way_,
we imagine (and sometimes very strongly too) that the LAND is in
_Motion_.
THAT by which we _see_, is the _visible Species_ reserved in the
_Spirit_: Hence when this _Species_ is moved, the _external Object_
seems also to be _moved_.
BUT in explaining the _Circular Motion_ of the _Animal Spirits_, we must
consider it to be _twofold_; namely, _Natural_ and _Preternatural_: The
_Natural Motion_ is that which begins in the _Carotide Arteries_, thence
tending to the _Plexus Choroideus_, or the _anteriour Ventricles_ of the
BRAIN; from _These_ to the _middle_; from the _middle_ to the
_Posteriours_; and from the _posteriour Ventricles_ of the BRAIN, the
_Spirits_ are imparted to the NERVES. The _Preternatural Motion_ is just
the _Reverse_ of this Case.
THE _Causes_ of both these Cases and Conditions are either _immediate_
or _mediate_. The _immediate Causes_ may be reduced to _Three Classes_;
to wit, _Causes_ of an _inordinate Motion_ of the Animal Spirits,
_Causes_ of the _Circular Motions_, and _Causes_ of lost _Sense_,
_Sight_, and _Motion_.
THE _Causes_ of the _Spirits_[64] moving inordinately, are either
_External_ or _Internal_. The _Externals_ are the _Sun_, _Hot Baths_,
_Frictions_, and _Concussions of the_ HEAD; or a _Fall_, _Blow_,
_Contusion_, and all inordinate and immoderate _Motions_ of the whole
Body: such as _Running_, _Leaping_, _Riding_, _Dancing_, too much
_Venery_, or hard _Drinking_; as also the Use of _Acids_, or acrimonious
Things, and all Things replenishing or stuffing the HEAD; such as
_Garlick_, _Mustard_, _Anise_, _Parsley_, _Leeks_, _Onions_, _Radish_,
strong _Snuffs_, _Drinks_, &c.
THE _internal immediate Causes_ are the _Imagination_ of the PATIENT,
_Vapours_ of the whole Body, frigid _Flatulencies_, and[65]a sudden
_Fluxion_ of the _vital Spirits_ into the HEAD.
THE _mediate Causes_ are _Material_; and this _Matter_[66] (almost all
_Physicians_ agree) is _frigid_. From hence it is certain, that the
_Distemper_ proceeds from _Crudities_, and _Victuals_ of a crude Juice;
such as _Pulses_, _Cheese_, _Tarts_, _Fish_, and all _other Sorts_ of
the like frigid and humid _Qualities_: But _these_ are only to be
reckon’d _concurring_, not _efficient Causes_.
THE most common _material Cause_ is, according to _Galen_[67], the BILE;
which, seeking for Vent at the _Mouth of the Stomach_, is the _Cause_ of
these _Symptoms_, and is[68]properly to be educed or evacuated by a due
_Vomit_.
BUT in Case of VAPOURS, _Heat_ is always the _efficient Cause_,
elevating them from the peccant _Matter_; since a _Cold_, or a
refrigerated _Body_, can never engender VAPOURS or _Wind_ from any
Material Cause.
I shall not now enter upon the particular _Diagnosticks_ of this
_Distemper_, because they are as _Various_, as the _Causes_, and
affected _Places_ are different. Let me observe only, that the _simple_
VERTIGO is easily known by the _Imagination_ of the _Circular Motion_ of
the _Patient’s_ HEAD, or That of _external Objects_, or by vitiated
_Seeing_ and _Hearing_.
BUT the SCOTOMIA differs from the VERTIGO, in that besides the
_Imagination_ of the _circular Motion_, the PATIENT often loses his
_Sight_, staggers, tumbles, or falls to the Ground. And yet the _same_
is distinguished from the _Epilepsy_, in that the PATIENT retains his
principal _Functions_, and neither _Foams_ at Mouth, nor is
_Convulsive_.
HOWEVER, as to the _Distinction_ of Causes, if the _internal Cause_
proceeds from _Calidity_, it is known by the _hot Temperament_ of the
whole Body, as well as by a _Swelling_ and _Pulsation_ of the ARTERIES
about the _Throat_: Besides that this VERTIGO easily _accedes_ and
_recedes_, it is always attended with _Calidity_ and _Redness_ of Face
and Eyes; with _Watchings_, _Deliriums_, &c: And it commonly follows
_Fevers_, _Watchings_, _Anger_, the _Use of Calids_, hot Things, _&c._
In which _Cases_, it is always to be helped by the _Use of Frigids_, or
Coolers.
IF it arises from _frigid Flatulencies_, the _Paroxysms_ or Fits are
preceded by a _Hissing_ or _Tingling_ in the EARS; the PATIENT turns
_pale_ and _wan_, and is taken with an odd extensive _Pain_ of the HEAD:
And if these _Flatulencies_ generate in the HEAD, the _Party_ feels it
_ponderous_, _lumpish_, and _heavy_; and is consequently much inclin’d
to _Sleep_, _Stupidity_, _Dullness_, and _Inactivity_.
IF the _Distemper_ is derived from a _flatulent Stomach_, the _PATIENT_
is troubled with _Rifting_ and _Rumbling_ of the Belly; with _Sobbing_
and _Sighing_, with _Hickups_, _Yawnings_, _Extensions_, _Inflations_,
and frequent _Spittings_.
IF it comes from a _Mordacity_ of the _Mouth of the Stomach_, the
_Party_ is infested with a _Nausea_, _Loathing_ and _Fastidy_; with a
Dejection of _Appetite_, a lasting or frequent _Thirst_, and a
_Bitterness_ of the Mouth. But this _Affection_ also very often proceeds
from the WOMB, and that either because of the suppress’d _Menstrua_, or
longretain’d _Seed_; as will hereafter more fully appear in _Sect._ ix.
_Chap. 8_.
AS to the _Prognosticks_ of this _Distemper_, it does not always seem
_Dangerous_, much less _Lethal_, at first; but its _Consequences_ are
(however) very _Fatal_[69], if not timely prevented: For it often turns
to _Inflammations_[70] of the HEAD, or _Convulsions_; sometimes to
_Melancholy_ or _Madness_; and sometimes to _Epilepsies_ or
_Apoplexies_.
NOW because this _Affection_ observes _Lunar Periods_, and in extreme
Cases, is near a-kin to the _Falling-Sickness_;[71] _Cœlius Aurelianus_
informs us, That it was call’d by the _Ancients_ the _little Epilepsy_:
And as it admits of _periodical Accessions_ and _Circulations_ (I mean
coming and going _Fits_) which depend chiefly upon the Power and
Influence of the _New_ and _Full-Moon_; so it is to be treated with
respect to _Cure_, in a different manner; one way in the _Access_,
another in the _Interval_.
BUT this _Cure_ is as different, as the Causes and Degrees of the
_Distemper_ are various; wherefore I can, by no means, enter upon it in
this place, for Brevity-sake.
[Illustration]
CHAP. XIII.
_Of the SYMPTOMS of the middle Three Months._
THE FOETUS having receiv’d a distinct FORM, constituted of various
_Organical Members_, and produced of divers _substantial Matters_, takes
a various _Situation_; the different _Members_ possessing different
_Places_, according to the _Institution of NATURE_.
AFTER an absolute and compleat _Conformation_ of ORGANS, the rational
_Soul_ is infus’d and adapted; which is the ultimate Perfection of the
_Human_ FOETUS: By which it becomes MAN and receives _Life_, living and
subsisting henceforward by its own vivacious _Faculties_, distinct from
those of the MOTHER. Now the Great and All-wise CREATOR undoubtedly is
the only _Supream_, _Efficient_, and Immediate _Author_ and _Finisher_
of this noble _Work_; which, according to the nicest _Calculation_ of
the greatest _Masters_ of _Nature_, is most commonly accomplished about
the _Beginning_ of these _Middle Months_: At which time, the usual _Turn
of Nature_ necessarily occasions different _Effects_ to the
_Child-bearing Woman_; which are call’d _SYMPTOMS_ of the _Middle
Months_.
AND these _SYMPTOMS_, in short, I reduce to the following _Seven_ in
Number; _viz._ 1. _Coughs_; 2. _Palpitations_ or _Heart-Beatings_; 3.
_Swoonings_ or _Syncopes_; 4. _Watchings_; 5. _Pains_ in the _Hips_ and
_Loins_; 6. _Hemorrhages_ or _Bleedings_; and, 7. _Fluxes_ of _Blood_.
Of which, in their due Order.
[Illustration]
CHAP. XIV.
_Of COUGHS._
COUGHS are either _Humid_ or _Siccid_: They are call’d _Humid_, when the
_Humours_ contain’d in the _Aspera Arteria_, of whatsoever Nature, are
expell’d by its own Force thro’ the _Mouth_. And _Siccid_, or dry
COUGHS, when, notwithstanding great Pains and Trouble, nothing is
_excreted_, only the whole Body fatigued by a continual irritated
Endeavour to _Cough_ and _spit-out_; whence arise Pains of the _Head_,
_Hypochondriacks_, and other Parts.
THE _Cause_ of which _SYMPTOM_ is _Four-fold_, and proceeds either from
the sharp acid _Vapours_ of the _Humours_ flying towards the _Lungs_,
_Wind-pipe_, and _Jaws_; irritating the natural Faculty to _Expulsion_:
Or, from the finer Part of the _Blood_, converting itself to the
_pectoral Veins_: Or, from the _Humours_ themselves ascending to the
_Head_, and relapsing upon the _Breast_: Or, in fine, from the
suppressed _Albedines_ or WHITES, and whatsoever may vellicate the
_Aspera Arteria_, or in any respect oppress or irritate the _same_.
THIS _Symptom_ (however slighted or lightly esteem’d) is very Dangerous;
forasmuch as it attenuates and weakens the _whole Body_, enervates or
destroys its _Strength_ and _Vigour_, causes difficult _Respiration_,
excites _Head-Aches_, hinders _natural Rest_, occasions _Watchings_,
promotes Defluxions, and finally gives _Origin_ to _Fevers_, as well as
most other _Diseases_: Besides that, it continually exagitates and
distresses the _Muscles_ of the ABDOMEN, or lower Belly; and thereby too
commonly provokes _Miscarriage_.
FOR these Reasons this _SYMPTOM_ ought to be carefully _mitigated_, if
not _cur’d_, without any loss of Time: But the CURE itself, in my humble
Opinion, may be easily effected, by evacuating the _peccant Humours_, by
purging and corroborating the _Head_, and by the right _Use_ of proper
_Thoracick Medicines_.
[Illustration]
CHAP. XV.
_Of HEART-BEATINGS and SWOONING-FITS._
THESE Beatings or _Palpitations_ are nothing else but a sudden Loss of
all the Strength, with an immoderate _Concussion_, by a vehement
_Diastole_, and molestous _Systole_ of the _HEART_: From hence this
_SYMPTOM_ easily turns to a _Cardialgia_, _Lipothymia_, or _Syncope_;
which are _All_ of near _Affinity_, in the Case of the _Pregnant Woman_,
so that I shall treat of them _conjunctly_, and first observe; that
THE _Cause_ of all such _SYMPTOMS_ are but _Two-fold_, and proceed
either from a _flatulent_ Substance of the _Humours_, ascending, thro’
the _Arteries_, or the _Vena Cava_, to the _HEART_: Or from the
_Abundance_ of BLOOD, which (not finding passage by the WOMB) seeks to
the _superiour Parts_, and thence oppresses the _HEART_ and _vital
Faculty_.
THIS _Last_ is the most dangerous _Condition_, being (in such
_Plethorick Women_) the certain _Prognostick_ of imminent _ABORTION_: To
prevent which unhappy _Accident_, the principal Part of the CURE,
depends very much on cautious _Venæ-Sections_, or letting Blood, proper
_Diet_, &c: Whereas, in the _First Case_, proper _Discutients_,
_Cordials_, and _Corroborants_, are the most convenient and successful.
[Illustration]
CHAP. XVI.
_Of WATCHINGS._
THIS _Symptom_ is nothing else, more than an immoderate _Exercitation_
of the SENSES, from too great a _Motion_ of the _Animal Spirits_:
Proceeding from some acrimonious and siccid _Vapours_ of the _Humours_,
ascending to the BRAIN, and there disturbing the _Spirits_, by exciting
their vehement Motion; which so exagitates the SENSES, that the vigilant
restless _Woman_ gets either none at all, or but very _short Sleep_.