_Superfluity_ of Matter, and the _infirmity_ of the _forming Faculty_.
Which, I think, is agreeable to _Hippocrates_ his meaning, saying, that
_too much Menstruous Blood, or too little, weak, or insufficient_ SEED,
_is the only Cause of a_ MOLE[203].
I know, that besides these, there are many other various _Causes_ given
by diverse _Authors_; yea I know that the MOLE it self is variously
accepted among them: But as I am not to insist upon the _quibbling_
Notions of other Men, so I shall only here observe,——
FIRST, that there is a vast Variety and Difference in the _Substance_,
as well as in the _Form_ of MOLES: SECONDLY, That there is sometimes but
_one_, _and_ sometimes _two_, _three_, or _more_ MOLES, contain’d in
_One_ WOMB; and _that_, sometimes with, and sometimes without the
_Natural_ FOETUS as also sometimes separately, and sometimes adhering
the _One_ to the _Other_: THIRDLY, That in this _Case_, if the FOETUS be
not directly kill’d by the _Compression_ of its tender Body, it is at
least in _Danger_ of being _misshaped_, or perhaps _monstrously formed_,
according to the _Bulk_, _Weight_, and _Solidity_ of what is contain’d
with it in the WOMB.
HOWEVER in regard to the FOETUS, when we are certain of its _Existence_;
tho’ in the WOMB, with _one_ or _more_ MOLES, it may perhaps be very
safe; Therefore I again observe, that, in this _Case_, as long as the
_Woman_ is no ways endangered, the _Exclusion_ of BOTH ought to be
_Natural_, and accordingly the _appointed Time_ waited for: When
according to all _Authors_, the MOLE comes sometimes before, sometimes
with, sometimes immediately after, and sometimes a few Days, or perhaps
Weeks, after the FOETUS. But such MIDWIVES as follow my _Method_,
already plainly laid down[204], will scarce trust their WOMAN with the
Charge of a MOLE, one moment after the _Birth_ of the INFANT and
_Secundine_: Because by such means, yea, even by a small _Clod_ of
BLOOD, which is a far less matter, retain’d after the BIRTH, _Millions_
of Women have lost their pretious _Lives_.
IN the mean time, as MOLES are most commonly generated _alone_, without
any FOETUS; I come now to indicate their peculiar _Diagnosticks_, which
the _Reader_ may take as follows, _viz._ FIRST, the _Woman_’s BELLY
swells equally in all its _Dimensions_; whereas in _Case_ of a _Natural_
CONCEPTION, it is raised, and as it were acuminated or pointed towards
the NAVEL, and a little compressed on _both sides_.
SECONDLY, The _Orifice_ of the WOMB never shuts in _this_, as it does in
the _Natural_, CONCEPTION: And the MOLE may be distinctly felt by the
_Touch_, like a _Globular Mass_, in the _Region_ of the WOMB and LOINS.
THIRDLY, Any _expert Woman_ may also distinguish this _Case_, by its
_Motion_; which is very different from that of a FOETUS, as also from
that occasion’d by a _false_ CONCEPTION as above described: The FOETUS
having not only a _total_, but also a _Partial Motion_; which always
differs according to the _Part_ or _Member_ moved; and is consequently
_first_ perceived about the _fourth Month_: Whereas the MOLE has no
distinct _Motion_; only, as the _Woman_ turns to either _Side_, she may
feel it (like a STONE) falling to the same _Side_; and in her walking,
she may easily perceive its _suppressing dead_ WEIGHT.
FOURTHLY, Her _Breasts_ swell, but give seldom any manner of MILK, and
about the 4th and 5th _Months_, when she, who has a _Natural
Conception_, is commonly best in _Health_; then the _MOLE-BEARER_ falls
worse; Her _Limbs_ and _Legs_ extenuate; her _Face_ and _Skin_ are all
over discoloured, as the whole _Body_ languishes; PAINS of the _Back_
and _Groins_ follow of Course, together with a Difficulty of
_Respiration_; as sometimes also, _Wind_ and _Humours_ break out of the
WOMB.
UPON the whole, the PROGNOSTICK of this _Case_ is, that as the
_MOLE-BEARING Woman_ must in all respects, be very much discommoded, and
afflicted with heavy threatning _Symptoms_, so she lives continually in
Danger of her Life: And the longer she entertains this unwieldy GUEST,
the more rigid it grows, and the closer it sticks to her; so that
consequently, the more difficult it is to dislodge or extract this
_præternatural Body_: For as the MOLE has no _Secundine_, nor _Umbilical
Vessels_, but adhering by its own gross _Substance_ to the oppress’d
WOMB, attracting its _Nourishment_ directly from the _Uterine Vessels_;
So it also fixes it self more and more strongly, and the longer the more
firmly among them, to the great Prejudice and Damage of NATURE.
NOW, as to the _Cure_, or the _Delivery_ of the MOLE, as has been said,
the _sooner_ it is undertaken, the easier it is performed: And in this
_Case_, I know all _Authors_ advise only, to endeavour its _Expulsion_
by _Bleeding in the Feet_, _by proper Baths_, _by strong and Acrid
Clysters_, &c. in order by such like _means_, to excite or stir up
THROWS to open the WOMB and irritate the _expulsive Faculty_. But for my
part, I would not too much afflict the PATIENT with these uncertain
_means_, especially if the _Præternatural Body_ be of any long standing;
but rather at once betake my self, to that which cannot fail me, _that_
is the HAND-CURE; after Bathing, relaxing and moistening the PASSAGES
with _Oils_ or _emollient Ointments_: And _This_ I would undertake, and
perform after the same manner, as in the _Condition_ of a _Dead Child_,
when the PAINS are altogether _Deficient_. Again farther——
I observe that, of all the _Countries_ I know, there is none, whose
_Women_ are so subject to MOLAR CONCEPTIONS, as the _Provinces of
Holland_: And moreover, by what I have diligently observ’d my self in
those _Parts_, as well as by what I have comprehended from their most
_Learned Men_, the _MOLES_ generally conceived there, are very different
from _Others_ commonly conceived in _other Parts_; Insomuch that _Those_
are of a strange, astonishing, deformed _shape_, having (as it were)
something in them like the _Rudiments_ of a _Work imperfectly begun_;
such a _Piece_, as, for Example, a _Limner_ may draw at the first
_Draught_, with a rude _Pensil_; together with something of both _Life_
and _Motion_: LIVING however only (as it were) _Vitâ Plantæ_, and moving
but by _Palpitation_; as I have also seen and observ’d this _Body_ to
contract it self sensibly at the _Touch_, and immediately again dilate
it self perceptibly. In the _interim_ I must farther observe in this
Place, that most commonly NATURE ejects these _Bodies_ happily about the
_fourth Month_; however yet, not always _all_ at once, but most
frequently by _Piece-Meal_ and in _Heaps_, not unlike as the PUMP does
the _Bilge-Water_ out of the _Ship_.
BUT here it may be _ask’d_, why the _Dutch good Women_, should be more
subject to these _Præternatural Conceptions_ than any _others_? To which
I _answer_, according to the Sense and Sentiments of most of _their own
greatest Men_; FIRST, that all over these _Provinces_, the very
_Borders_ of the SEA are inhabited, and a World of People live (as it
were) in the very _Jaws_ of the OCEAN; whose bellowing _Waves_ and
tumultuous _Surges_, are not only obvious to their _Eyes_ all Day, but
obnoxious also to their _Ears_ all Night long; as they continually beat
upon their _Coasts_, and sometimes too near their very _Doors_: From
whence these _Women_ cannot but be much affected and disturbed, if not
also frighted in their very _Embraces_.
HOWEVER yet, I do not conceive _This_ to be always the CAUSE, since
_MOLAR CONCEPTIONS_ are also very common in their greatest _Cities_; But
as _those_ happen there most frequently among the _Sea-faring Men’s
Wives_; so, I think, we may rationally account for them after this
ensuing manner, _viz._ The _Sailers_ arriving from their _Voyages_, and
coming Home merrily with full Sail up to their very Doors, incontinently
embrace their WIVES, without having any regard to their _Natural
Course_, the SILENT MOON, or any other _Circumstance_; And the honest
WIVES, having perhaps long wanted their _Husbands_, make no
_Procrastination_, but eagerly fall to enjoying _One Another_; the good
_Women_ attracting as greedily the virile Benevolence, as _Nature_ can
prompt, or as _Cerberus_ could snap at a _Piece_, or the
_Hunger-starved_ a _Bit_ of _Bread_. Upon which, if no _Efluxion_
happens in the Beginning, _NATURE_ being incapable of _elaborating_ such
an _unapt confused Matter_, it is converted to a _MOLE_; which (as
aforesaid) is frequently cast forth about the _fourth Month_, and call’d
by them _een Manekindt_, as we for the same reason call it a MOON-CALF.
[Illustration]
CHAP. VI.
_Of_ MONSTERS.
WHEN the _Parts_ destinated to the _Generation of Man_, are in all
respects well constituted, NATURE in the Beginning fabricates a fair and
comely _Conception_, and at last produces a _Lovely Creature_ of its own
kind, absolutely perfected, and compleatly furnished with all its own
graceful _Ornaments_: Whereas if any _Deficiency_, _Enormity_, _Fault_
or _Blemish_ be actually in _Those Parts_, then the _conglomerated
Principles_ of _GENERATION_ are variously form’d into different Sorts of
_prodigious CONCEPTIONS_ and _Monstrous BIRTHS_. However——
WITH respect to the _Variety_, as well as the _Veracity_ of this
_SUBJECT_, that I may make short Work on’t, I refer the _Curious Reader_
to the WORKS of _Jacobus Ruffius_, _Cornelius Gamma_, &c. who have not
only described at large, the various _Shapes_ and _Figures_ of the most
remarkable _MONSTERS_ which have been Born, but also particularly noted
the _Times_ and _Places_ of their _BIRTHS_; which they have
authentically collected from many creditable _Authors_.
IN the small Conversation, by the _By_, which I have had either at Home
or Abroad with the _Learned_, I have met with none who have deny’d the
_Truth_ of this _POSITION_ in _general_; tho’ some of my _Superiors_ in
this Place, have been pleas’d to contradict in _particular_, what I am
just now going (and chiefly for that very reason) about to publish to
the World, in the next following _Chapter_.
BUT notwithstanding that we all agree as to the _FACT_, yet I have found
but few ready to discuss the proper _Causes_ of _Monstrous BIRTHS_: Only
so far, that _some_ would have them to proceed immediately from the
Commixture of _Humane_ with _Brutal SEED_; _others_, directly from the
_INFLUX_ of the _Stars_; _Some_ again, from a vitious _Constitution_, or
oblique _Situation_ of the _WOMB_; others also, from a _Lascivious_ and
enormous _Act_ of _Copulation_; and _some_ at last, from the sordid and
corrupted _SEMINAL Matter_ of the _Persons Copulating_. Which may be all
indeed, in some respect, consentaneous to _Reason_; but notwithstanding,
in speaking to such _Causes_, I think, we ought previously to consider
the _Requisites_ concurring to the _Production_ of the FOETUS; what they
naturally are, and how they ought to be _qualify’d_.
THE FIRST and chief of which is the _Forming Faculty_; 2ly. The _two
Instruments_, by which this _Faculty_ operates, _viz._ the _SPIRIT_ or
innate _Seminal Heat_, and the _Imagination_, 3ly. _The MATTER_, viz.
both the _SEEDS_, and the _Menstruous Blood_; 4ly. And lastly, the
_PLACE_, namely the WOMB: Whence I conclude that any _one_, or _more_,
or (perhaps) all of _THESE_, degenerating from their _due state_ or
_natural Qualities_, may prove the _Cause_ or _Causes_ of a _MONSTROUS
CONCEPTION_, or _Æquivocal GENERATION_.
AS to the _Forming Faculty_, it never errs or fails, but always performs
its _Duty_, as far as depends upon it self, or its own _Intention_; tho’
indeed it often happens to be frustrated by the _Instrumentary Causes_:
As the most ingenious _Artificer_ cannot finish his _Work_, however
successfully begun, without a proportionable _Metal_ to work upon, and
corresponding _Instruments_ to work by; So it is, in this _Case_, with
the _Forming Faculty_: Hence it is that _MONSTERS_ are also pertinently
call’d, as they undeniably are, the _Works_ of _NATURE_; however
degenerating from its proper _END_, that it may effect something, even
such a _MONSTER_, rather than that the indigested and unalterated
_Matter_ should remain in the _WOMB_, and turn either to a _MOLE_ or a
_STONE_, as has often happened[205]. Which being thus consider’d, we
shall find the _Error_ or _Fault_ to ly either in the _Instruments_, in
the _Matter_, or in the _Place_.
FIRST then, as to the _Instruments_, of the _two_ above-mentioned, I
take the _Imagination_ to have the most prevalent _Power_ in
_CONCEPTION_; which I hope may be readily granted, considering how
common a Thing it is, for the _MOTHER_ to mark her CHILD with _Pears_,
_Plums_, _Milk_, _Wine_, or any _thing else_, upon the least trifling
_Accident_ happening to her from thence; and _that_ even in the latter
ripening _Months_, after the INFANT is entirely formed, by the _Strength
of her Imagination_ only, as has been already manifestly set forth at
large[206].
WHICH if so, Pray, what wonder is it, if the _Woman_ in time of
_CONCEPTION_ (which is by far the more _critical Juncture_) should by
the same reason _conceive_, and at last bring forth her FOETUS with a
_Calf_’s, _Lamb_’s, _Dog_’s, _Cat_’s-_HEAD_, or the _Effigy_ of any
other thing whatsoever? And _this_ the more especially, considering,
that not only the _conceiving Woman_, but also the _copulating Man_, may
effect the same thing; if he should imprudently set his Mind on such
Objects, or employ his perverted _Imagination_ that way. Now this absurd
_Imagination_ takes even place also among the very _BRUTES_, as
_Lemnius_ relates[207] of a _Sheep_ with a _Seal’s_, or _Sea-CALF’S
HEAD_, having no doubt seen that Animal in the critical Time of
_Conjunction_ or _Conception_.
IN like manner, supposing such _Women_ to conceive in their Minds, some
deformed _SPIRIT_ or _ANIMAL_, with _Horns_, _Snout_, _Wings_,
_Cloven-Feet_, &c. (as has sometimes happen’d) What should hinder this
_Woman_ to produce a BIRTH with these _Monstrous Marks_? THIS is also
therefore very possible, but more especially, when the _Disposition_ of
the MATTER acquiesces, which it certainly does when the SEED and BLOOD
are impure: For, Is it not manifest to our _Eyes_, that some CHILDREN
bring with them long _Hair_ and _Nails_ into the World, merely from the
_Impurity_ of these _material Substances_? Then supposing the _Force_ of
an absurd _Imagination_ to have seconded the _Efficacy_ of such _Sordid
Stuff_, what a MONSTER might not _these_ Jointly have produced?
Wherefore I shall only add upon the whole of _This_, that as such
impious and foolish _Imaginations_ ought to be suppressed, so both the
SEED and the BLOOD ought to be pure and temperate, to prevent such
_præternatural Productions_.
NOW, as to the _Heat_ and _Spirit_ contain’d in the SEED, we may easily
conceive its _Effects_, and such as have been in _Glass-Works_, and have
seen GLASSES, made, may readily comprehend how MONSTERS are formed in
the WOMB: For in modeling the GLASS, if the _Work-Man_ blow the PIPE too
much or too strongly, the _Stuff_ is so extended, that the GLASS becomes
both _longer_ and _wider_ than its due proportionable FORM; and so it
may also happen in the WOMB, by an _immoderate Action_, or too great an
_Extension_ or _Diffusion_ of the SEMINAL SPIRIT, which sometimes may
only affect some _particular Part_, such as the HEAD, NOSE, MOUTH, EARS,
_&c._ and sometimes the _whole_ FOETUS disproportionably.
SECONDLY, Hence we may rationally conclude, that a _superfluity_ of
SEED, and _super-abundancy_ of material HUMOURS may, in like manner,
produce _duplicated Members_, such as _Two_ HEADS, _Four_ HANDS, _Four_
FEET, _Six_ or _more_ TOES or FINGERS, _&c._ and _this_ especially, in
case of the _Woman’s_ strange _Imagination_ concurring; which may easily
happen, by fancying herself sometimes to _see double_ with her EYES,
which _Deception_ may probably proceed from the _Concourse_ of HUMOURS,
gross VAPOURS, and confused or distracted SPIRITS. And _This_ in short,
it is evident, holds also good among the _other Creatures_ (IRRATIONALS)
as _Lemnius_ writes[208] of himself, that He saw a _Sheep_ and a
_Calfe_, each with _two_ HEADS, and a _Hen_ with _four_ FEET and as many
WINGS.
AGAIN, as from the _Superabundance_ of MATTER, _Geminated Members_, or
Superfluous Particles may proceed; so from the _Scarcity_ of these
MATTERS, _Want_ of requisite _Aliment_, or from any partial _Invalidity_
of the _Natural Faculties_, some _Members_ or certain _Particles_ may be
either maim’d and destitute of their _Natural Use_, or then (which is
worse) be altogether _irregular_, _defective_, or _Unnatural_.
LASTLY as to the _Place_, I mean the WOMB, in which the _Conception_ is
made; It ought not only to be _perpendicularly seated_ in the _PELVIS_,
or in a _direct line_ from the _VAGINA_ upwards, but also to be well
conform’d and proportion’d: Otherways, as an ugly or unshapely exteriour
FORM or MOULD of _Wax_ or _Clay_, produces a corresponding deformed
IMAGE cast therein; so the WOMB may as effectually be the _Cause_ of a
_Deform’d_ or _Monstrous_ BIRTH. And moreover not only so, but the WOMB
ought also to be in its due _Temperament_ and _Natural State_, free of
all _Distempers_ and Inconveniencies, such as obdurated GLANDS, ULCERS,
CICATRICES, _&c._ Otherways, as a TREE planted in _Stony Ground_, its
ROOT cannot diffuse or spread it self round every way, but being cramp’d
and oppress’d, it _crooks_ and _bends back_; So it is with the FOETUS in
the WOMB, if oppos’d and resisted by the _Constriction_ or _Coarctation
of the Place_, or by any inherent _Præternatural Substance_, its MEMBERS
cannot possibly be _articulately_ and _distinctly form’d_, much less can
they attain their _Natural_ GROWTH and FIGURE.
IN short from what is here said, I think, the _Notions_ of such Men, as
will have MONSTERS, only and immediately to proceed from a _Coition_
with BRUTES, may evidently appear as _absurd_ as _they_ are verily
_groundless_[209]: And for strengthening or backing of my _Authority_, I
may add _Galen_’s own Words[210], saying, _Vel semen Humanum in Utero
Equæ, vel Equinum in utero Muliebri, aut non admitti, aut admissum
corrumpi_. Which is also farther confirm’d by Holy St. _Jerom_,
saying,[211] _non minùs absurdum est, Animal construi ex Equo & Homine,
quàm Vitem Olivæ insertam, simul vinum & oleum proserre_. Which
_Doctrine_ seems also most agreeable to _Truth_, in _that_ there can be
no _Affinity_ or _Concord_ betwixt _these_ Specifically different
_SEEDS_, neither in their _Natural Actions_, _Aliment_, _Maturation_,
_Time_, or _Manner_ of _Birth_, &c. to pass by all other _disconsonant_
or _incongruous Circumstances_.
IN FINE therefore, for these _Reasons_, I believe Nothing of the many
_fabulous Relations_ extant, of the _Hippocentauri_, _Onocentauri_,
_Minotauri_, &c. inhabiting the LAND, nor of the _Tritons_, _Nereids_,
_Syrens_, &c. which are said to possess the SEA; tho’ indeed both St.
_Antony_[212], and St. _Jerom_[213], maintain the Existence of the
SATYRI and SYLVANI: But be these Things as they will, I believe, that
the _Production_ of every _MONSTER_, concurs to the _Perfection_ of the
_UNIVERSE_, and that sometimes such _Prodigies_, or rather _Dæmonical
Illusions_, may appear, as well as _Monstrous_ BIRTHS happen, by the
Will and Pleasure of the great _CREATOR_, who would thereby signify and
portend something _extraordinary_, or more than NATURAL to us _Mortals_.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
CHAP. VII.
_Of various deformed_ CONCEPTIONS.
THE particular _Description_ of _MONSTROUS CONCEPTIONS_ in the preceding
_Chapter_, leads me, of Course, to treat of _another Sort_; which I
shall comprehend under the _Title_ of _Deformed CONCEPTIONS_. _This
Sort_ happening almost in _all Countries_ promiscuously, tho’ in _some_
more frequently than in _others_, becomes almost in _all Parts_ Daily
obvious to our _Eyes_, so that we need be at no great Pains to prove the
_Reality_ of _deformed_ BIRTHS, but rather inquire into the _Causes_ of
such uncouth _CONCEPTIONS_.
IN short therefore as to _these_, if we only look back and reflect on
the three preceding _Chapters_, we will find the _Causes_ of the
_present Case_ very evident and sufficiently manifest, if not
particularly included in the _Latter_: Wherefore I have only farther
here to observe, that all such _Præternatural CONCEPTIONS_, degenerate
from the _Natural_, in proportion to the _Prevalency_ of their _Cause_
or _Causes_; So that the _Cause_ being less considerable in _this_, than
in the _foregoing Case_, instead of a _MONSTROUS_, we have only a
_deformed_ BIRTH: Such as a _Scurf-Head_, a _discolour’d Skin_, an _ugly
Visage_, _disagreeable Features_, _distorted Mouth_, _crooked Nose_,
_Legs_, or _Arms_, maim’d in _whole_ or in _Part_, _Tumours_,
_Pustules_, or _Bubos_ about the _Groins_, &c. Which, tho’ _these_ and
such like _Accidents_ may verily proceed from either of the
forementioned _Causes_; Yet I think, the most common and ordinary _One_,
in all Countries, is an impure and unseasonable COPULATION: Such as is
not only precisely forbid by the _Express Word_ of _God_[214], but also
repugnant to right _Reason_, and even to common _Sense_.
FOR who can be so stupid as not to conceive, that this _Menstruous
Contagion_, will naturally (tho’ insensibly) creep into the BLOOD,
invade the whole _Habit of the Body_, and tacitely infect the very
_soundest Constitution_, even sometimes with the _Venereal_ Pox, or
perhaps with an _Elephantiasis_, or the _Leprosy_ it self? Nor does this
EVIL end always here, but such BIRTHS are also generally as perverse in
the MIND, as they are _Heterogeneous_ in the _Person_; for like BASTARDS
of _Nature_, they are commonly denudated, or destitute of all her
laudable _Gifts_ and _Graces_, which others, her _Legitimate_ SONS, are
happily born with and enjoy in Abundance.
HENCE it is, that, if they become not altogether _Jolt-Heads_,
_Foolish_, or _Delirious_, they are most ordinarily otherways _Lewd_,
_Vitious_, and _Licentious Persons_, if not also _envious Traducers_,
and _crafty Cozeners_ of Mankind: From hence likewise the _Italians_ and
_Germans_ derive a memorable _PROVERB_, which they never forget upon
dealing with such _Persons_, viz. to this purpose; _Take Care of Him
whom_ GOD _has marked_. For tho’ _some of Them_, are capable of
undertaking _Nothing_ of any Moment, much less of accomplishing any
laudable _Work_, _NATURE_ it self thwarting their _Career_ in every
_Enterprize_, and the very STARS (as it were) concurring to their
_Frustrations_: Yet _others_ have subtile WITT enough to scrape together
(_per Fas aut Nefas_) Heaps of contemptible _Dross_, much of affinity
with their own vile _Substance_; which however, seldom prevents a base
or ignominious _CATASTROPHE_ to _themselves_, who are thus found
established upon such a _præternatural_ BASIS of _Pollution_.
IF then _these_ be the direful _Consequences_, how unreasonably cruel
are such _Parents_, who thus by Enterprising the Work of _PROCREATION_
without _humane Decency_, and contrary to the very _Institution_ of
_NATURE_, involve their _Posterity_, in such miserable _Calamities_? But
this sort of BIRTHS, I have also diligently observ’d, happens most
frequently in _Holland_, and _that_ chiefly for the _Reasons_ and
_Causes_ mentioned in the foregoing _Chapter_. Which _Observation_ leads
me to the following _Matter of_ FACT, which (without any intended
_Reflection_, or _Reproach_ upon any particular _Country_, or rather, as
_this_ would be, upon _Human Nature_ it self) I shall ingenuously
relate, not only to clear up the _MYSTERY_ of a certain _Truth_, which I
have found, to be _controverted_ in this Place, and _that_ even among
some of the more _Learned_ themselves; but also for _Morality_ and
_Instruction_ sake to the _Reader_ in particular, and for the _common
Good_ of _Mankind_ in general, _viz._——