Claps of _Thunder_, _Cannons_, _Guns_ &c.
VI. ALL nauseous STINKS, on the one hand, and odoriferous SMELLS, _&c._
on the other, being _both_ disagreeable and dangerous.
THOSE, and many other _trifling Matters_, such as the SMELL of an
_extinguished Light_, or _Candle_, are known (too often) to be the
_Reason_ and _Cause_ of _ABORTION_: which made (that great _Naturalist_)
_Pliny_[99] justly take occasion to deplore the FRAILTY of Man.
“HE bewails and is asham’d (as he expresseth it) to think how
_frivolous_ the _ORIGIN_ of the _proudest of Creatures_ is; such a mere
TRIFLE (as is mentioned) being frequently the _Cause_ of his _FATALITY_.
And the _Philosopher_ most pertinently adds, that _He_ who now glories
in so many _VANITIES_, trusting in the _Strength_ of his _Body_,
vaunting in the _Riches_ of his _Possessions_, and upon every _Smile of
Fortune_, believes himself to be a GOD, _&c._ little considers how many
ways he might have _miscarried_ in coming into the World, or how many
ways he may yet, even to-day, go out of it, and come to his _last GASP_,
as _Anacreon_, the wanton _Lyrick Poet_, did, who was suddenly choak’d
with the STONE _of a Grape_; or as _Fabius_ (that noble _Dictator_ of
ROME) dy’d, who was immediately strangl’d by a _HAIR_ in a _Draught of
Milk_.”
I say, _He_ little considers, how many _Trials_ and _Hardships_ he was
expos’d to, before he had BEING: or, how many ways he might have been
_stifled_ before he had BREATH, and have been _dead_ even before he was
BORN.
WHICH Consideration leads me to the Thought of _another Cause_ of
_ABORTION_, mentioned by the holy Prophet[100]_Hosea_, where he says:
“_Because they have deeply corrupted themselves, and separated
themselves unto that Shame at_ Baalpeor, (i. e. defiled themselves at
the _Statues_ of PRIAPUS) _their Glory shall fly away like a Bird, from
the_ Womb, _from the_ Conception, _and from the_ Birth; _dry Breasts,
and a miscarrying_ Womb _shall be given them_, &c.”
AND having thus far briefly defin’d and descanted upon _ABORTION_, and
the _Nature_ of its _Efficients_, I come now, in the next place, to shew
by what _DIAGNOSTICK SIGNS_, every _Woman_ may infallibly know an
approaching or instant _MISCARRIAGE_, either in _herself_ or _another_:
As also to set forth, by what _PROGNOSTICK SIGNS_, she may know the
_Danger_ she is threatned with upon that Occasion.
WHICH Undertaking, I hope, may prove _conducive_ to the Welfare of that
tender SEX; it being too common for _Women_ to neglect the _proper
Means_, through a supine _Ignorance_ of the _Nature_, and _Danger_ of
their _CONDITION_. But This, however, is generally owing to indiscreet
OLD WOMEN about them; (as I have often observ’d, and oft’ner had
Occasion to hear) who either keep the _PATIENT_ in _Suspence_, wheedling
and telling her idle Stories, that the CASE is not so _dangerous_, the
_Pains_, _Floodings_, &c. will go off in good Time, and the like: Or
afterwards (upon appearance of more severe growing SYMPTOMS) they
extenuate the _Danger_, telling her to submit with _Patience_, the
common MISFORTUNE cannot possibly be prevented, _&c._
TO which usual _Suggestions_, I answer; that as the _one_ is an ignorant
and imprudent _Insinuation_, the _other_ is a downright _Falsity_: For
in the _first CASE_, the _Woman_ is diverted by foolish _Hopes_ from
applying for proper ADVICE, until perhaps it is past all REMEDY; and in
the _second_, she is misled very often to her utter _RUIN_: Since
whatever hath not yet _happen’d_, may peradventure be happily
_prevented_; and even upon the _last Extremity_ of the most _violent
Occasion_, the _Severity_ of the CASE may possibly be averted by good
Management, and the _Danger_ entirely compounded for by proper Conduct.
WHEREFORE, I cannot but think, it is worth any _Woman_’s while to know
the MARKS of an _approaching_ and _instant ABORTION_: Whereof the
_DIAGNOSTICKS_ are as follow, _viz._
I. A sudden EXTENUATION and _Falling_ of the BREASTS[101]; sometimes
only of _One_, but more commonly of _Both_: That of _One_ denoting the
_Woman_ to bear TWINS, of which she is about to lose _One_; and which,
if the _right_ BREAST falls, is a MALE; but if the _left_, a FEMALE.
II. A WATERY MILK flows[102] in Abundance from those _FALLEN BREASTS_,
discovering the future Danger.
III. PALPITATIONS of the _Heart_, frequently accompany’d with a
_Coarctation_ of the _Sides_ and _Upper Belly_, very much incommoding
the PATIENT.
IV. A _GRAVITY_ or _Heaviness_ of the _Loins_, and _Thighs_; _Gnawing_
of the _Stomach_, _Pains_ of the _Head_ and _Eyes_.
V. A _TREMOR_, or _Trembling_ and _Quaking FITS_, attended with a
_Frigidity_ of the exteriour _Limbs_.
VI. A _Rigor_ and Stiffness, or a _Vibration_ and Concussion of the
_SKIN_ and _MUSCLES_ of the whole Body, with a concomitant _Chilness_.
VII. HORROUR, _Fevers_, _Faintings_, _Swoonings_, and sometimes
_Convulsions_, _Cramps_, &c. all foreboding the coming _Malady_. These
are the usual and principal Marks of an _approaching ABORTION_: Which
when _Instant_, and the _Time_ at Hand, then the
VIII^{th} _DIAGNOSTICK_ plainly appears; which is a _corrupt WATER_
flowing _first_, next a _bloody WATER_, then _pure_ BLOOD, after that
small _Clods_ of BLOOD, and at length, the INFANT itself (_form’d_ or
_inform’d_) follows of Course.
HENCE I proceed to the usual _Prognosticks_ of _ABORTION_; which take as
follow in their proper Order, _viz._
I. ALL _Women_ are more endanger’d in a MISCARRIAGE, than in a _Natural
Birth_: because THAT happening at a _preternatural Time_, is of greater
_Violence_ than THIS. For like as _ripe Fruit_, whose _Stalk_ is so
loose in its Season from the _Tree_, that the _Fruit_ falls of its own
Accord: So it is in a _Natural Birth_, for the _Vessels_ and
_Ligaments_, by which the INFANT adheres to the WOMB, easily loose and
break spontaneously; which in an Abortion, must needs happen by a more
dangerous painful _Force_ and _Violence_.
II. THO’ _Women_ (in this _Case_) may frequently escape with their
_Lives_, yet their _Natural Constitution_ is thereby too often broke at
least, and debilitated, or thereupon subjected to one or other heavy
_SYMPTOM_ or _DISEASE_; if not also rendred quite _BARREN_.
FOR sometimes, because of the _Pains_, _Flux_, or _Putrefaction_ of the
retain’d BLOOD, _Fevers_, and other _Distempers_ generally ensue:
Sometimes by the violent _Disruption_ of the _Vessels_, great
_Floodings_ and Loss of BLOOD happen; upon which _Faintings_,
_Swoonings_, _Convulsions_, and at length DEATH it self follows: But, in
fine, _Convulsions_ happening[103] either _at the Time_, or _after
ABORTION_, the _Case_ is most _dangerous_; for then the PATIENT seldom
escapes.
III. THE _first MISCARRIAGE_ is most _dangerous_ to all; because the
_Genital Parts_ are more streight or constricted, and less acquainted
with such severe distending _Pains_: And besides the ORIFICES of the
_Vessels_ being so violently dilacerated, the _Party_ often continues
afterwards _Sterile_ or _Barren_ the rest of her Life[104].
IV. LEAN and _tender Women_ are much endanger’d in _ABORTION_, by Reason
of their _Debility_ and _Infirmity_: As Women too fat are, on the other
Hand; because of the great _Astriction_ and _Narrowness_ of the
PASSAGES.
V. THE _younger_ the ABORTIVE _Production_ happens to be, the less the
_Woman_ is endanger’d; because the _larger_ the INFANT is, it gives the
greater _Pains_ and _Ruption_ of the _Vessels_.
VI. WHATEVER happens in the 7th or 9th _Month_, may be reckon’d a _safe
BIRTH_, provided the _Child_ be ALIVE: Whereas if DEAD, it is extremely
dangerous. But above _All_, the _Eighth_ MONTH is to be most _dreaded_,
not only because of the _Largeness_ of the _INFANT_, but also because of
the _pernicious Quality_ of _that_ MONTH; as will hereafter more amply
appear in Chap. 34.
WHICH Consideration leads me farther to observe; That, from the
Beginning of the _5th_, until the Middle of the _6th_ _Month_, the
_INFANT_ is least liable to _Danger_[105]: So next in the _4th_, and
from the Middle of the _6th_, until the Close of the 7_th Month_: Then
of course it is _safer_ in the _3d_ and _2d_ _Months_, than in the _1st_
or _9th_. For the least _Cause_ may expell the EMBRYO in the _First_,
and break the _Mature Ligaments_ of the _INFANT_ in the _Ninth_. But of
all the whole Time, as I said before, the _8th_ _Month_ is the
_most_[106] _dangerous_, both to _MOTHER_ and _INFANT_: according to
which Consideration and Order of TIME, the prudent _Physician_ may, with
more or less either _Fear_ on the _one hand_, or _Assurance_ on the
_other_, exhibit or prescribe proper _REMEDIES_ for the _Preservation_
or _Recovery_ of his PATIENTS.
FROM whence I come in the next place to offer my serious _Sentiments_
upon the CURE of this _Malady_, and the _Prevention_ of _ABORTION_:
Which difficult _Work_ depends chiefly upon the _Preservation_ of both
_MOTHER_ and _INFANT_; for when the MISCARRIAGE is once over, the CURE
then does not much differ from the _Case_ of a _natural BIRTH_.
HOWEVER in all _Cases_ of this nature, it is an infallible _Maxim_, that
it is more easy to prevent MISCARRIAGE, than to relieve or rectify the
_Miscarrying Woman_; and more proper to begin that _Prevention_ BEFORE,
than AFTER _Conception_: Because the most proper _Remedies_ for
obviating many _Causes_ of _ABORTION_, cannot so well be adhibited to
the _Woman_ after she is PREGNANT. And besides, as _those Causes_ are
very _Different_ and various (as more fully appears from what has been
said); so the Manner and Method of _Prevention_ cannot be altogether
exactly _Uniform_; every _Cause_ requiring its respective CURE, before a
_Prevention_ can be effected.
WHEREFORE, in my humble Opinion, the _first Step_ towards this
_Prevention_ is to weigh well and consider carefully the _CONSTITUTION_
of the yet _unimpregnated Woman_; in order to know and discover the
_Cause_ or _Causes_ either of BODY, or WOMB, which may or can occasion
any future _ABORTION_. Now in this CASE, _Women_ having once
_miscarry’d_, or oftner, methinks they may easily find out the CAUSE
_Themselves_, by the Help of their _Midwives_; which being done, they
should endeavour to have it remov’d, and effectually _cur’d_, before
they _conceive_ any more. However, if it chance to be neglected at that
time, it may be more prudently undertaken afterwards, with such
_Precaution_, as the _Nature_ of the _CAUSE_ and _CONSTITUTION_ of the
_Woman_ require: Always remembring, but especially _before_ or _about_
the usual _Time_ of _ABORTION_, to make use of proper _Corroboratives_
for strengthening both the _INFANT_ and _WOMB_; since _Women_,
_miscarrying_ from any one internal _Cause_, commonly bear their
_Conceptions_ to a certain TIME, which they cannot exceed, unless that
_Cause_ be judiciously removed beforehand.
I ONCE had an accidental Opportunity of being fully satisfied of the
Veracity of this CASE, in a _Woman_ of good Note in the City of
_Dresden_; who _miscarried fourteen Times_ in less than _eight Years_;
being never able to _go_ beyond the _tenth Day_ of the _fourth Month_,
and commonly losing the FOETUS about the _last_ of the _Third_.
AT my Arrival in that _Place_, I found my _Credit_, for my necessary
_Supplies_, upon a certain MERCHANT; who (with great Concern) gave me
this melancholick Account of his SPOUSE, desiring my good _Offices_, if
possibly any Means could be of Service. Upon which, I first made it my
Business to discover, _that internal Cause_, wherein _she_, and her
ordinary _Midwives_, had been so often mistaken; this being done, I
happily performed the CURE, tho’ (as a _Traveller_) I had not the
Satisfaction of staying there to see the _Consequence_. But, however, by
my last Advices from the grateful _Husband_, I find _she_ is now MOTHER
of two pretty _Boys_ and a fine _Girl_.
THE _Cause_ of ABORTION then being duly and discreetly _first_
discovered, if it proceeds from any _Intemperature_ either of the BODY
or the WOMB; the _same_ may be prevented chiefly by introducing the
_contrary Temperament_, according to _Hippocrates_’s[107] Judgment, that
_Contraries are the_ REMEDIES _of Contraries_.
IF it proceeds from too much FATNESS, her _Body_ is to be reduced; if it
comes from too much LEANNESS, a convenient _Diet_ and good _Regimen_,
&c. will help to restore her.
IF it happens from a _PLETHORY_, the too much abounding _BLOOD_ is to be
circumspectly lessened: As the Humours are to be judiciously evacuated,
if it arises from a _Cacochymy_; and all Causes affecting the Spirits
and Humours are to be carefully removed and avoided.
DISEASES of the whole _Body_ are to be prevented as much as possible, by
a _Regularity_ of proper _DIET_ and _REGIMEN_ of Health; but whenever
_These_ are incident, they ought to be cured, as the _Nature_ of the
_DISEASE_ and _CONSTITUTION_ of the _Woman_ will prudentially permit.
IF _ABORTION_ happens from any _Cause_ on the part of the WOMB, _that_
must absolutely be removed before _CONCEPTION_, and resisted afterwards
during the _FOETURA_, by the discreet _Use_ of proper Means.
IF it arises from any _Cause_ of the _Neighbouring Parts_, that is to be
carefully managed or avoided, and _prevented_ more easily than _cured_.
AS to the _Causes_ on the Part of the _INFANT_, I shall refer the
_READER_ to the preceding _Chapter_ only; as I do likewise if it comes
from any _SYMPTOM_ of the _Months_, or from any _Acute Disease_, to
their respective _Chapters_ in this _SECTION_.
FINALLY, If it proceeds from any _Procatarctick CAUSES_, either
_internal_ or _external_, all such are to be sedulously avoided and
prevented; but whenever _These_ happen, they are generally _cured_ by
proper _ALTERATIVES_ of an _Astringent Quality_, for confirming the
_Ligaments_; and _CORROBORATIVES_ for comforting the _INFANT_, and
cherishing the _WOMB_.
BUT supposing, at last, the _Case_ desperate, and past all REMEDY,
through _Negligence_ or _Delay_, that the CURE cannot possibly be
effected, nor the _Misfortune_ of _Instant_ ABORTION prevented; why then
the _Woman_ ought to be carefully comforted and strengthened, the
_Ligaments_ relaxed, the _Passages_ dilated, and the _expulsive Faculty_
assisted; so that the worse _Consequences_ and greater _Danger_ may be
averted.
AND having now, in fine, thus at large treated upon the Subject of
ABORTION, it leads me methodically (of Course) to touch upon all other
BIRTHS respecting _Time_; I mean _Legitimate_ and _Illegitimate_ BIRTHS:
Which (however) I shall discuss in as _Succinct Terms_ as I can, to
oblige the READER. And _first_,
[Illustration]
CHAP. XXXI.
_Of a LEGITIMATE BIRTH._
A _Legitimate_ _BIRTH_ respects TIME only, and that is properly so
called, which most frequently happens, according to the _Common Law_ of
NATURE.
IT is never sufficiently to be admired as _Wonderful_, that MAN, who is
born _HEREDITARY LORD_ of the _Universe_, and invested with _SUPREME
DOMINION_ over all _Creatures_, should, however yet, be the only one
deprived of some certain _definite Time_ for his _BIRTH_[108]; it
happening often in the _seventh_, commonly in the _ninth_ and _tenth_,
and sometimes in the _eighth_ and _eleventh Months_, and _That_ also at
all Times of the Year: Whereas, on the other hand, all the rest of
_inferiour Creatures_ have their certain _prefixed Times_, both of
_carrying_ their _YOUNG_, and _bringing them forth_, beyond which they
cannot go, nor controul the Order of _NATURE_.
HOWEVER, this being the _Good Work_ and _Will_ of the Great _CREATOR_,
deserves more our silent _Wonder_ and _Admiration_, than our bold
_Enquiry_, or curious _Scrutiny_, into the _REASON_ of it.
BUT notwithstanding, I hope, we may easily account for the _Latitude_ of
_TIME_ allowed our _Births_, when we consider what has been said of the
Times of _Formation_ and _Animation_ in their proper Places[109]. If
then these require a proportionable _Latitude_, what wonder is it that
the _Legitimate Time_ of Birth is of such _Extent_? Not that I mean that
the _rational Soul_ is introduced either at different Times, or by
Piece-meals, only that it is not _done_ this or that Day _precisely_.
And farther (according to _AVERROES_, that great _Commentator_)
_Man_[110], not only in the Womb, but also after Birth, even until his
_Juvenile Age_, is but _a-generating_; and from that Time to old Age he
begins to _decline_: yet we daily see that _this Change_ is not equal to
all, in that some Men do but arrive to their most robust and _vigorous
State_ about the fortieth Year of their Age, whereas others come to that
Length about the thirtieth, and most about the thirty-fifth.
AS it is an _Auspicious Crisis_ which happens any Time of the _Critical
Day_, whether anticipated or postponed by a few Hours: And as the
_Fruit_ of _Trees_ have their constituted Time of _Maturity_, which
notwithstanding some are perfected sooner, and some later; so (I think)
it may be also in the present Case of _Births_.
HOWEVER yet, to go a little further, without Offence: As to the
_Legitimacy_ of _BIRTHS_, I don’t see any Reason why every _Birth_,
producing a _vital Child_, may not be justly esteemed timely _lawful_,
whether it be of the _seventh_, _eighth_, _ninth_, _tenth_, or _eleventh
Month_: But because few of our antient and learned _Predecessors_ have
been inclined to admit any standing _RULE_ of such a large _Extent_, in
this _CASE_ we shall be far from desiring to establish any _New One_, or
advance any _Paradox_.
I SHALL therefore (in this Place) only touch upon _That_ which most
_Authors_ seem to have agreed upon, and reckon the most common
_Legitimate Birth_; namely, which happens (at the soonest) about the
_260th_ _Day_ from _CONCEPTION_, being the _first_ of the _38th_ _Week_,
or the _20th_ of the _ninth Month_; as it doth also sometimes fall out
(_ten Days later_) about the _270th_, when it is neither _too soon_, nor
_too late_; and which likewise (at the latest) happens before the
_280th_ _Day_; that is, the _last_ of the _40th_ _Week_, or the _10th_
_Day_ of the _10th_ _Month_.
BUT _This_ (if I may be permitted to speak my Mind) depends much upon
the _Time of Conception_; it being my Opinion, that if the Woman did
conceive when _recently purged_, I mean shortly after the natural Flux,
she may _bring forth_ in the beginning[111] of the _9th_ _Month_;
whereas, if when the _Menstrua_ were almost ready to _flow_, towards
_its Close_, or later: And if in the _Interval_ betwixt these Times, she
may _produce her Child_ in the _middle_ of the Month: Because as
_Plants_ or _Corn_ arrive much sooner to _Maturity_ after the _New_ than
after the _Full-Moon_, so it may be also with the _Fœtus_, because of
the more or less _Vigour_ of the _Womb_.
HOWEVER, in short, it is to be observed, that in all these _Cases_, we
may commonly allow a few _more Days_ for the _GIRL_ than the _BOY_, as
appears from _Sect._ I. _Chap._ 9.
AND, in fine, according to the Opinion of the most Learned and Curious
_Practisers_ in _MIDWIFERY_, this _BIRTH_ happens always[112] at the
_self-same Hour_ of the _Day_ or _Night_, in which the _Woman_
CONCEIV’D: So that from hence it is, that most _BIRTHS_ happen in the
_Night_, or Dawning of the _Day_; wherefore they All agree, that a
_Legitimate BIRTH_ requires not only a certain definite Number of
_Days_, but also of _Hours_, &c. To proceed therefore to
[Illustration]
CHAP. XXXII.
_Of an ILLEGITIMATE BIRTH._
AS an _Illegitimate BIRTH_ also respects _TIME_, so _That_ is only to be
call’d so, which happens _before_ or _after_ the _TIME_ instituted by
the _Law_ of _Nature_. Hence all unhappy _ABORTIONS_ belong to this
_Head_; which being largely handled (apart) in the _Chapter_ just
aforegoing, I shall only here cursorily touch upon _That_, which (in a
distinct sense) is accounted an _Illegitimate BIRTH_.
THAT I may the better define _This Sort_ of _BIRTH_, I shall _first_
observe, that _Nature_ has instituted Nothing _rashly_, nor in _vain_,
neither does it ever act by CHANCE. _She_ having then limited a certain
TIME (however at large) within which all _Legitimate BIRTHS_ happen, and
all _vital Children_ are born; of consequence, whatever happens _before_
or _after_ that _Time_, is an _Illegitimate BIRTH_, and seldom or never
produces a _Living_ or _Lively_ CHILD.
HOWEVER, _Vallesius_[113], _Cardanus_[114], and some _Others_ relate
divers strange Precedents, and affirm that they have known and seen
_Children_ born in the _fifth_ and _sixth Months_, which have liv’d to
the Years of Discretion; It is notwithstanding my Opinion, that _Those
great Men_ giving ear to the frivolous _Relations_ and idle _Reports_ of
_simple Women_, have suffer’d their _Credulity_ to impose so far upon
their better _Judgments_. And I am besides the more induc’d to think so,
because since _Their days_, we have not heard of any _one Example_ of
this wonderful _Kind_, which deserv’d the least _Notice_ or _Credit_.
BUT there are _Others_ again; who (in a manner) ridiculing these
_Instances_, fall into grosser _Absurditys_ themselves; denying the
LEGITIMACY of a _seven_ or _eight-Months BIRTH_; yea, _Some_ even of a
_Ten Months_, after the _Tenth Day_, as well as of all _posteriour
BIRTHS_. Upon which erroneous _Mistakes_, (if it may be without Offence
permitted) I would freely offer my _simple Judgment_, in manner
following: and thereupon, _First_,
[Illustration]
CHAP. XXXIII.
_Of a Seven-Months BIRTH._
TO prove the LEGITIMACY of this _BIRTH_, and the _Possibility_ of this
_Month_’s producing a _vital Child_, I need not confine myself to the
_Judgments_ of the most Wise and Divine _Hippocrates_, _Galen_, and
_others_, nor to the _Principles_ of PHYSICK in particular: but may
justly appeal to All the rest of the _Liberal Arts_ and _Sciences_,
which (as far as I am duly acquainted with them) generally agree in
_Defence_ of This Position.
IT is (however) certain, that the CHILD born _before_ the _Twentieth
Day_ of this _Month_ is commonly _weak_ and _infirm_. And for that
Reason the _later_ the _BIRTH_ happens in the _Month_, the more _brisk_
and _lively_ is the CHILD: As I have more than once observ’d, that the
_Latter Part_ (about the _210th_ _Day_ from _CONCEPTION_) hath produced
as sprightly vivacious _Children_ as any at All. Wherefore, in short, I
cannot help having full as good an Opinion of such a CHILD born about
the _last_ of the _SEVENTH_, as of any such born in the beginning of the
_Ninth Month_, provided it be not expell’d by some _preternatural
Cause_.
TO examine this nice Matter a little more clearly, let us inspect into
the _Nature_ and _Quality_ of the Month: In order to which, I hope, we
may rationally observe,
I. THAT (according to the best _Astrologers_) the latter of the PLANETS,
(the _Moon_) influentially presides over the INFANT in this _Month_;
whose frigid and humid _Qualitys_ are thought to afford the several
_Parts_ of it a certain _Fatness_, thereby relaxing and easily
distending the MATRIX: Which being done, and the CHILD now perfected by
the whole Body of the PLANETS, that have _All_ particularly (in their
order) duly discharg’d their respective _Functions_ towards its
Perfection; provided it has a Competency of _Strength_ and _Vigour_, it
forwardly appears about the Close of this _Month_ with great _Ease_ and
_Facility_, and may continue both _Healthy_ and _Lively_ after its
_Birth_.