and perfect her Judgment, _&c._ in due Course, she ought to satisfy
herself at first to go (for some time) as an _Assistant_ to some
_skilful Woman_ of good Business, and so by degrees advance herself into
the _Practice_: Because _Dexterity_ in this _ART_, is only acquir’d by
_Time_ and _Exercise_; the _practical Part_ of _MIDWIFERY_ being
attended with so many complicated Circumstances of _accidental
Difficulties_, that it is almost impossible for any Persons, who never
apply’d themselves this way, to believe how much it differs from all the
_THEORY_, that the most ingenious _MAN_ can make himself _Master_ of.
I SHALL only (in this place) farther explain, what I mean, by the
_MIDWIFE_’s _Duty_ to all _Women_ in _LABOUR_, to whom she may be call’d
upon _critical Conjunctures_; as the latter part of the above-mentioned
last General _Head_ purports: namely this, That the _MIDWIFE_, in the
Course of her _Practice_, ought always to observe carefully, and follow
strictly the _Rules_ of _EQUITY_ and _CHARITY_: That is, supposing the
_MIDWIFE_ to be sent for by a Person in LABOUR, whose _Case_ is Natural
and all Things likely to go well; and in the mean time, after she has
taken her in Hand, is peradventure sent for to _another Woman_, whose
difficult or preternatural _Case_ threatens imminent _Danger_.
IN this _Case_, the _MIDWIFE_ knowing herself to be better qualified
than _Others_, and that _Another_ not equally expert is able to lay the
_Former_, she ought to attend and assist the _Latter_: And _That_ also
notwithstanding the _First_ be RICH, and the _Latter_, POOR; since _GOD_
is no _Respecter of Persons_.
BUT, if it happen, that _one Rich_, and _another poor Woman_, want HELP
both at a time, and are in equal Danger: In _that Case_, without any
regard to the _one’s WEALTH_, or the _other’s POVERTY_; the _MIDWIFE_ is
to assist _Her_ first, whom _Divine Providence_ first call’d her to, or
first engag’d her withal. And as the _Cases_ of _Women_ in LABOUR may
differ, so she ought impartially to act and dispose of herself; having
always an Eye to something _superiour_ to, and far above that of mean
LUCRE.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
CHAP. IV.
_Of the QUALIFICATIONS of the Extraordinary MIDWIFE._
THE _Extraordinary MIDWIFE_, or _Andro-Boethogynist_ (whether
_Physician_ or _Surgeon_ practicing this ART) ought not only to be
endued with all the _Qualities_ and _Qualifications_ mentioned in the
_Two_ preceding _Chapters_, but also to excel the WOMAN-MIDWIFE in many
special _Particulars_, and ingenious _Points_; which no ways belong to
her _Female Province_.
FOR it is not enough that He knows how to relieve and _lay_ the
_labouring Woman_, however difficult or preternatural her _Case_ may be;
nor is it sufficient that he understands how to _help_ and succour both
the _MOTHER_ and the _INFANT_ after such a _Delivery_: No, so much of
his Business might be easily learn’d and enhanced by _old Women_, were
they but _Docile_, and not such obstinate _Creatures_.
BUT _He_ ought farther also to know (_first_) how to prevent all
preternatural _Disasters_ incident to both the _one_ and the _other_, in
their respective _States_ of CHILD-BED and INFANCY: And, _Secondly_, how
to administer Relief and perform the CURE, in _Case_ of any dismal
_Accident_ whatsoever to _one_ or _either_ of them in their dangerous
Condition.
MOREOVER, his _Knowledge_ ought neither to commence nor terminate in
these Things; it being also his _Duty_ over and above to know, how to
conduct the _Woman_ safely through all the _Months_ of _GESTATION_, and
to avert from her the _Severity_ of their respective _SYMPTOMS_, to
which she is so much expos’d, as mentioned in their proper _Chapters_,
SECT. III. And not only so neither, but He ought also to understand
well, how to guard against the ACCESSES of all _Acute Diseases_, so as
at least to avert their ill _Consequences_; and especially (of course)
to know thoroughly how to prevent _ABORTION_ itself.
THESE are the _Cases_ which most commonly require the ingenious
Assistance of the _Extraordinary MIDWIFE_: And _These_ are they which
try his _Skill_ and _Knowledge_ most, as the _Tempest_ or _Storm_ best
discovers the _Judgment_ and _Capacity_ of the MASTER-MARINER.
AND yet, neither ought even _these Limits_ to be the narrow _Boundary_
of his STUDIES: Since the more extensive his ART and _Knowledge_ is,
especially in what relates to the _natural Constitution_ of WOMEN, the
_fitter Man_ He is to take upon himself the _Practice_ of this noble and
most ingenious _Profession_.
NOT that I would be thought tacitely to insinuate in this place by the
By, as if my own _Knowledge_ was in any degree SUPERIOUR to _other
Men’s_: No, I am too sensible of my own _Weakness_, to mean so, or to
entertain any such vain selfish Thought; neither have I any fond
_Ambition_ to aim at standing in _Competition_ with _others_ in these
Respects. For it shall suffice me, and sufficiently gratify my Highest
_Aim_, if possibly a simple Word may drop from my _Pen_, which the more
Ingenious may sometime improve to the common Good of _Women_, and the
Welfare of their _Children_: And this I would desire the more, because I
know no larger _FIELD_, that the _Learned_ can launch out into; nor any
profounder _Study_, that they can descant upon, than the _Nature_ and
_Constitution_ of this tender SEX, which is so peculiarly different from
all other _Natural Works_, and so singularly discrepant from all other
_Created Beings_.
BUT more particularly in order, that the _MAN-MIDWIFE_ or
_Andro-Boethogynist_ may be thus duly qualify’d and completely
accomplished;
I. HE ought not only to be liberally _instructed_ and generously
_educated_, but also to be a MAN of good _Breeding_ and _Conversation_,
as well as _Courtesy_ and _Complaisance_.
II. HE ought not only to be a MAN of diligent _Study_ and sedulous
_Application_ of Mind, but also of great _Humanity_ and _Integrity_,
_Temperance_ and _Sobriety_, endued with solid _Resolution_, quick
_Apprehension_, and great _Presence_ of Mind.
III. HE ought not only to be a MAN of _strict Virtue_ and _Chastity_,
but also of unspotted _Life_ and _Conversation_, _Charity_ and
_Companion_; delighting in _Hospitality_, and doing GOOD; acting the
_Christian_ as well as the _Gentleman_ in all respects.
IV. HE ought not only to be a Man of known _Discretion_ and _Secresy_,
_Sagacity_ and _Judgment_, but also of a pleasant _Countenance_; neat
and clean in _Person_ and _Cloathes_, Agreeable and Decent in _Words_
and _Actions_, carefully adverting (at all times) to give no Occasion of
_Shame_ or _Confusion_ to the _Labouring Woman_, or the _By-standers_.
V. HE ought, in fine, to _handle_ Her _decently_, and treat her
_gently_; considering _Her_ as the _weaker Vessel_, whose elegant tender
BODY, will admit of no _rough Usage_: Wherefore upon this Account it is,
that I would have all _Practitioners_ whatsoever in this ART, debarr’d
from the _Use_ of _INSTRUMENTS_, which would secure many a MOTHER from
being wounded or mangled, and many an INFANT from being cut or torn to
Pieces.
NOT that I would be thought for all that to imitate Mr. _Mauriceau_,
saying of himself (in some Passages of his _Book_ of _MIDWIFERY_) that
_he differs from all others_: No, far from it; For I have the
_Indisputable Authority_ of the most Learned and Polite _Practisers_ on
my side, as mention’d before in _Chap._ 1. of this _SECTION_.
HOWEVER yet, I do not deny, but that _INSTRUMENTS_ have been universally
used, till of late Years; but the reason of That is Plain: Because in
former Times, MEN were only call’d upon _extraordinary Occasions_; some
of which (however Skilful and Ingenious) had not the Opportunity of
_Laying a Woman_ perhaps in many Months. For which Reason it could not
be otherways, but that they must have been at a loss in not
understanding thoroughly the _Practical Part_, having so few
Opportunities of improving _manual Operation_: Whereas since the
_Politer Part_ of the World has call’d them generally to the ordinary
and common _Practice_ of this _ART_; they have advanced their
_Dexterity_ by degrees, and are now come to the length of discharging
that _Office_ by _Slight of Hand_ only, which formerly required so many
_frightful INSTRUMENTS_.
I may well indeed say _frightful_; for what can be more inconsistent
with the tender _NATURE_ of _Women_, or more _terrible_ to them, than to
see MEN come _armed_ against _Themselves_ and their _tenderer INFANTS_,
with _Knives_, _Hooks_, _Iron-Forceps_, &c. thereby (as it were) to
_help_ them in time of their extremest _Agony_? For my part, I am
Positive, that let who will use _INSTRUMENTS_, they _kill_ many more
_INFANTS_ than they _save_, and _ruin_ many more _WOMEN_ than they
_deliver_ fairly: And this, I think, will be easily agreed to, by all
those who have any Knowledge of the _Parts_ of _Generation_ in that SEX;
as (I believe) it is also sufficiently evident even to _Those_ who have
no _Judgment_ that way, by the notorious _Fatalities_ and tragical
_Events_ they daily hear of in Fact.
HOWEVER I know, some _Chirurgeon-Practitioners_ are too much acquainted
with the _Use_ of _INSTRUMENTS_, to lay them aside; no, they do not (it
may be) think themselves in their _Duty_, or proper _Office_, if they
have not their cruel _Accoutrements_ in Hand: And what is most
unaccountable and unbecoming a _Christian_, is that, when they have
perhaps wounded the _MOTHER_, kill’d the _INFANT_, and with violent
_Torture_ and inexpressible _Pain_, drawn it out by _Piece-meal_, they
think no _Reward_ sufficient for such an extraordinary Piece of mangled
Work.
BUT, in short, I would advise such to practise _Butchery_ rather than
_MIDWIFERY_; for in _that Case_, they could _sell_ what they _slay_; but
in _this_, by _handling_ MAN so, they only bring _Infamy_ upon their
_Profession_, and expose it to the _Contempt_ and _Hatred_ of OTHERS.
COVETOUSNESS is the blackest of _Vices_, and in this _Case_ (I am sure)
it is an unpardonable SIN, to thirst after sordid _Lucre_ for procuring
the _Health_ or preserving the _Life_ of our Neighbour; as, I doubt, is
but too common among some mercenary People: Who (as we have been
creditably inform’d) have refus’d to take _Women_ in Hand at the very
Point of Extremity or Time of Need, before a certain SUM of _Money_ was
first deposited; tho’ perhaps borrow’d upon _Pledge_, or collected
amongst their charitable _Neighbours_ for GOD’Ssake.
I do not say however, but that the _Workman_ is worthy of his _Reward_,
and _That_ which ought to be paid according to the _Merit_ and _Dignity_
of his Performance; not according to the _Time_ he spends about it, as
hired _Labourers_ are paid their WAGES: No, that fruitless _Labour_
would not be worth while; no _Gentleman_ would undertake MIDWIFERY upon
such unprofitable _Terms_: For as it is in his Power to save the _Life_
of the MOTHER, or the INFANT, or _Both_, (which he often does
effectually) _He_ undoubtedly deserves an extraordinary _Recompence_
worthy of so great and good a PIECE of SERVICE.
BUT notwithstanding all This, an extravagant _Price_ is not to be
arbitrarily demanded, nor ought the Reward to exceed the _Ability_ of
the _PATIENT_; neither are _Those_ to be forsaken or left destitute of
_Help_, and expos’d to imminent _Danger_, at all Hazards of _Life_, who
cannot afford us MONEY: But rather (on the contrary) they are to be
forthwith taken in Hand chearfully, attended by Night or Day diligently,
and a trifle of MONEY _given_ (by us) rather than _taken_ from them,
when our _Fellow-Christian_’s Circumstances so require it. For _this_ is
the right way to secure GOD’S _Blessing_ to _Ourselves_, and _Success_
to all our _Endeavours_.
AND, in short, I humbly pray, that HE may (out of his infinite
_Goodness_ and _Mercy_) always enable ME, according to my best
Inclinations, faithfully to perform these good _Offices_, which I know
to be so much my indispensible and incumbent _Duty_, in that _STATION_,
his All-wise _Providence_ hath allotted me, as to the Affairs of LIFE.
WHENCE I come, in the next Place, by due Order, to treat particularly of
the _Contents_ of the preceding _Chapter_; and, _First_, to set forth an
_Anatomical Description_ of the several PARTS of _Generation_ in manner
following.
[Illustration]
CHAP. V.
_Of the External Parts of GENERATION._
THESE _Parts_ are generally so well known, that I would not so much as
mention them, out of _Modesty_, were it not, that, I presume, the _young
MIDWIFE_ may find something in the ensuing _Description_ worth her
singular _Notice_; which however, I shall not so much insist upon: But
succinctly——
BEGINNING with the _First_, call’d the VULVA or PUDENDUM; we find it
situated below the OS PUBIS, having a great _Chink_ or _Fissure_ in the
_Middle_, as it has the FRÆNULUM and PERINÆUM in the _lower Part_. And
above the _Chink_ there is a little _Protuberance_ occasioned by _Fat_
under the Skin, call’d MONS VENERIS.
THE two LABIA VULVÆ being a little separated, the NYMPHÆ appear, join’d
one to each interior Side of them: _They_ are two small Pieces of red
_Membranous Flesh_, much resembling _Pullet’s Gills_: _They_ encrease
the Pleasure of _Copulation_, and direct the Course of the _Urine_.
IN the upper Part of the _Chink_, next to the OS PUBIS, are several
little round _Substances_; which the most ingenious _Fallopius_ call’d
the CLITORIS, almost hid under the _Skin_ denominated the PRÆPUTIUM.
A little deeper, or straight below the CLITORIS, is the URETHRA, or
_Orifice_ of the Neck of the Bladder; being a little _Hole_ as big as a
_Goose-Quill_; which discovers itself by a small Eminence, and is about
two _Inches long_.
BETWIXT the _Muscle_, call’d SPHINCTER URETHRÆ, and the inner _Membrane_
of the VAGINA, are several small _Glands_; whose excretory _Ducts_ are
the _Holes_ observable about the _URETHRA_, call’d[153]_LACUNÆ GRAFFI_;
which discharge a _Liquor_ for lubricating or making the VAGINA
slippery, and encreasing the _Venereal Titillation_.
IN the _Orifice_ of the VAGINA, there is a slender subtile _Membrane_
situated a-cross, which is call’d the HYMEN, of a different _Form_ in
different _Women_; being sometimes _Annular_, and sometimes _Semilunar_:
It is almost always to be found in _young Girls_, having a small _Hole_
into the VAGINA; which _Hole_ in ADULTS is somewhat larger. In the first
_Act_ of _COPULATION_ this _Membrane_ is torn, which generally occasions
an Effusion of a little _Blood_; but this may also happen by many other
_Procatarctick Causes_[154], and accidental Occasions.
THE _GLANDULÆ_ or _CARUNCULÆ Myrtiformes_ are constituted of the
contracted _Fibres_ of the dilacerated _HYMEN_; and are situated on the
Side opposite to the _URETHRA_, next the _ANUS_, in the _FOSSA Magna_,
or _Navicularis_; being the same Place where the _HYMEN_ was at first
established. _These_ are small fleshy _Eminences_, and are sometimes
_Two_ or _Three_, and sometimes _Four_ or _Five_ in Number: _They_ are
deficient in _GIRLS_, and _defaced_ in _those WOMEN_ who have had
_CHILDREN_.
THE _VAGINA_ or _Neck_ of the WOMB, is a long and round _Canal_,
reaching from these _Caruncles_ to the _Orifice_ of the WOMB; not very
unlike a _strong small Gut_: Its _Orifice_ is narrow in _Virgins_, and
in _All_ Women much narrower than its _other_ Parts: It’s _Substance_
(according to _Ruysche_’s Observations) is _membranous_, _nervous_,
_papillary_, and _wrinkled_ WITHIN; which consequently must be of an
_exquisitive_ SENSE: In _Virgins_ the _WRINKLES_ are very _Large_,
especially in the _Fore-Part_; but after frequent _Embraces_ they are
_Less_, and after repeated _BIRTHS_, they entirely _disappear_.
THE _VAGINA_ lies betwixt the _Bladder_ and the _strait Gut_, or RECTUM;
with which last it is wrapt up in the same common _Membrane_, from the
_PERITONÆUM_, adhering to it, all its _Length upwards_, from its
_Orifice_ to that of the WOMB, and quite round on the _lower Side_, as
it does to the Neck of the _BLADDER_ _above_.
IN MAIDS, the _VAGINA_ is about Five Inches _Long_, and one and a half
_Wide_: But in _CHILD-BEARING-WOMEN_, it cannot be determin’d; because
it _lengthens_ in the time of _PREGNANCY_, and _dilates_ in time of
_BIRTH_; having likewise (in all) some little _Holes_ or _Ducts_ in it,
which discharge a _mucous Liquor_. The _VAGINA_ Serves also, in fine,
for a necessary _Conduit_ to the _MENSTRUA_ and _LOCHIA_, as it does for
a proper _Passage_ to the _INFANT_, &c.
THESE are, in short, all the _external Parts_ of _GENERATION_ in
_Women_; and _these_ have all their proper respective _Functions_
assign’d them by NATURE; contributing conjunctly and severally to the
_Charms_ of _COPULATION_: Which _ACTION_ alters the very _Course_ of the
BLOOD, and _Motion_ of the _Animal SPIRITS_; and consequently sets all
the describ’d _Parts_ in full _AGITATION_. Namely, thus
THE LABIA dilate: the ORIFICE swells: the NYMPHÆ give way: the CLITORIS
(of exquisite Sensibility) erects: The GLANDS (by a _Protuberancy_ of
the Parts) yield their _succous Contents_: The VAGINA draws close: The
_Fibres_ of the WOMB complicate to open its _Orifice_: The _Branches_ of
the _Spermatick_ ARTERY contract to draw the Extremities of the _Tubes_
to the _OVARIA_, as they carry the SEED to them: The SEED circulating in
the _Veins_, which open in the _Cavity_ of the _VAGINA_ and _MATRIX_, it
ferments immediately with the _Mass of Blood_: This _Fermentation_
swells the _Membranes_ of the TUBES, opens the _Cavity_ of the WOMB, and
disposes _All_ perfectly for the right Reception of the _impregnated_
EGG.
FROM hence we may plainly see, in what a miraculous _Order_ and
_Manner_, all _These Parts_ minister, and are subservient unto that (yet
more) admirable and wonderful _Body_ the WOMB. Which being thus in brief
_anatomically_ described, I come next in Course to
[Illustration]
CHAP. VI.
_Of the Internal Parts of GENERATION._
IN discoursing of _These_, I shall begin with the chief _Part_, to which
the rest are but _Subservients_.
_FIRST_ then, the _MATRIX_ or _Womb_, is situated in the upper Part of
the Cavity of the _PELVIS_, or _Bason_, between the _Bladder_ and
_Streight Gut_. It is placed there in the Middle of the _HYPOGASTRIUM_,
for the Convenience of COPULATION, and the more easy and ready
_Extrusion_ of the INFANT.
_SECONDLY_, The _Bones_ of the _PELVIS_ (as described hereafter below)
stand as a _Rampart_, fencing it against all external _Injuries_; That
is to say, the _OS PUBIS_ protects it _before_; the _SACRUM behind_; and
the _ILIUM_ on _each Side_: Like as the _BLADDER_ and _RECTUM_ on the
other Hand defend this Noble _Part_ again from the _Rigidity_ of these
BONES.
_THIRDLY_, the _Figure_ of the WOMB, from its internal _Orifice_ to its
Bottom, in a _Natural State_, resembles a large compress’d _PEAR_. Its
_Length_ is about three Inches; its _Breadth_ two in the _Hinder_, and
one in the _Fore-Part_; its _Thickness_ half an Inch large: But I take
the _Dimensions_ of it, in general, to differ accord-to the _Age_ and
_Constitution_ of the BODY.
IN _MAIDS_ however its _Cavity_ is much _less_, and can scarcely contain
the Bigness of a BEAN: whereas in _Women with Child_, the _Dimensions_
and _Figure_, as well as the _Cavity_ itself differs, according to the
different _Times_ of _GESTATION_.
AS I have said before, its _Anterior Part_ coheres _above_ with the
_BLADDER_, _below_ with the _RECTUM_; the _Hinder Part_ being free: But
the _lateral Parts_ are tied by _Four Ligaments_ of different Sorts;
whereof _Two_ are placed _Above_, and _Two Below_; the _Superiors_ are
called LIGAMENTA LATA, or broad; the _Inferiors_ ROTUNDA, or round
_Ligaments_.
THE _two broad Ligaments_ are _Membranous_, and call’d ALÆ
VESPERTILIONUM; which spring from the PERITONÆUM, and join the WOMB on
each Side to the _OSSA ILIA_: So that the _OVARIA_ are fasten’d to _one
End_ of them, and the TUBÆ _Fallopianæ_ lie along the _Other_.
THE _two round Ligaments_ arise from the _Fore_ and _lateral Part_ of
the Bottom of the WOMB, and pass thro’ the Rings of the _Muscles_ of the
ABDOMEN, terminating in _Fat_ near the GROINS. _They_ are of a hard
_Substance_, pretty _Big_ at the Bottom of the WOMB; but _smaller_ and
_flatter_, as they approach the _OS PUBIS_. Now Those _Four Ligaments_
serve to keep the WOMB streight, steady, and firm in its proper Place
_before BIRTH_, and to restore it to its natural _Position_, by the Help
of CONTRACTION, _After_.
THE _Orifice_ of the WOMB opening into the _VAGINA_, is of the same
_Figure_ with the _Nut_ of the _PENIS_: This in _VIRGINS_ is very
_small_, scarcely admitting a _Specillum_ or _Probe_; in OTHERS it is
much _larger_; but in _Women with Child_, several small _Ducts_ or
Vesicles open among the RUGÆ, which discharge a _Glutinous Liquor_ to
close and seal up this _Orifice_, till the Time of _BIRTH_.
THE _Substance_ of the WOMB is _Solid_ and _Muscular_, composed of a
various PLEXUS, or Web of fleshy _Fibres_, woven like a NET, with the
Interposition of innumerable _Vessels_, of _ARTERIES_, _VEINS_,
_NERVES_, &c. _Without_, it is surrounded with a _Thin_ and _Smooth
Membrane_ from the PERITONÆUM; and _within_ its _Cavity_, furnished with
a _Thick_, _Porous_, and _Nervous one_, call’d the proper _Membrane_ of
the WOMB.
THE _Veins_ and _Arteries_ of the WOMB, proceed from the _Spermatick
Vessels_, and HYPOGASTRICKS; which _Vessels_ are all inserted in the
proper _Membrane_. The _Arteries_ convey the BLOOD for its Nourishment;
which accumulating and abounding there in _great Quantity_, at
_Maturity_ of Years (when no _more_ is requir’d for the _Encrease_ or
_Growth_ of the Body) it distends the _Vessels_, and distills into the
Bottom of the WOMB: Whence proceeds the _Blood_ which nourisheth the
FOETUS in the _Pregnant Woman_, and the _Monthly Terms_ or MENSTRUA in
the _Woman not with Child_; which _Evacuation_, MEN Themselves are also
subject to in a great Measure; (notwithstanding their inconsiderate
_Detractions_ and vain _Talk_ on this Head) save only that in THEM the
_Redundant Humour_ passes off a different Way by _Urine_, by the _Nose_,
and sometimes by the _Hemorrhoidal Veins_, &c.
THE _VEINS_ Serve only to reconduct to the _Heart_, the BLOOD which is
neither wholly evacuated nor consum’d, as I observed more at large
_Before_. But the NERVES arise from the _Intercostals_, and those of the
OS SACRUM; remarkable _Branches_ of which run along the Back of the
_Clitoris_, from whence this _Part_ is susceptible of the very slightest
_Impression_.
THERE are moreover other small _Vessels_, springing one from another,
which tend to this _Orifice_, and serve in _Plethorick Women_ with
_CHILD_, to carry off the Superfluity of the _Humours_. And, in short,
prudent _Nature_, seems to have so ordered _These_ to prevent
_ABORTION_, which might easily happen, if the _pregnant_ WOMB was too
much expos’d, or was to open itself for this Purpose.
THE _Seminal_ or _Spermatick Vessels_ are _Four_, like as they are
computed to be also in MEN, and differ only in being _shorter_. The
_Blood Vessels_ are very winding; and the _Spermatick Arteries_ arising
with a narrow Origin from the _Aorta_, form various _Plexus’s_, and
_Inosculations_, as _These_ do: And the _Spermatick Veins_ (tho’ without
_Valves_) have the like _Inosculations_ with the _Arteries_, which
however in _These_ are more conspicuous.
THE _OVARIA_, or _TESTICLES_, are _Two Bodies_, on each Side _One_,
annexed to the Bottom of the WOMB, at about Two Fingers Distance, near
the _broad Ligaments_: _They_ are fixed to the PERITONÆUM at the ILIA,
nigh the _Spermatick Vessels_: Their _Figure_ is almost _Oval_, a little
depressed on the _Upper Part_, where the SPERMATICKS enter.
THEIR _SIZE_ is generally about half as _Big_ as _MEN_’s are; but _this_
differs according to the _Age_ and _Constitution_ of Persons: Their
_Surface_ is smooth, and even in _Virgins_; but wrinkled, uneven, and
dry in _old Women_: They are encompass’d with a proper strong
_Membrane_, deriving its _Original_ from the _PERITONÆUM_; which also
covers all the _Spermatick Vessels_.