watery and
great in quantity, and the bowels become constipated. If it arises from
heat, the signs are just the opposite. If the retention be natural and
arises from conception, this may be known by drinking hydromel, i.e.,
water and honey, after supper, before going to bed, by the effect which
it has; for if after taking it, she feels a heating pain about the navel
and the lower parts of the abdomen, it is a sign that she has conceived,
and that the suppression is natural.

PROGNOSTICS.

The whole body is affected by any disorder of the womb, and especially
the heart, the liver and the brain, and there is a singular sympathy
between the womb and those three organs. Firstly, the womb communicates
with the heart by the mediation of those arteries which come from the
aorta. Hence, when menstruation is suppressed, fainting, swooning, a
very low pulse, and shortness of breath will ensue. Secondly, it
communicates with the liver by the veins derived from the hollow vein.
Obstructions, jaundice, dropsy, induration of the spleen will follow.
Thirdly, it communicates with the brain by the nerves and membranes of
the back; hence arise epilepsy, madness, fits of melancholy, pains in
the back of the head, unaccountable fears and inability to speak. I may,
therefore, well agree with Hippocrates that if menstruation be
suppressed, many dangerous diseases will follow.

CURE.

In the cure of this, and of all the other following cases, I shall
observe the following order:--The cures will be taken from surgical,
pharmaceutical and diuretical means. The suppression has a plethoric
effect, and must be removed by the evacuation; therefore we begin with
bleeding. In the middle of the menstrual period, open the liver vein,
and two days before, open the saphena in both feet; if the repletion is
not very great apply cupping glasses to the legs and thighs, although
there may be no hope of removing the suppression. As in some women, the
cotyledones are so closed up that nothing but copulation will open them,
yet it will be well to relieve the woman as much as possible by opening
the hemoroid veins by applying a leech. After bleeding let the place be
prepared and made flexible with syrup of stychas, calamint, betony,
hyssop, mugwort, horehound, fumitary, maidenhair. Bathe the parts with
camomiles, pennyroyal, savias, bay-leaves, juniper-berries, rue,
marjoram, feverfew. Take a handful each of nep, maidenhair, succory and
betony leav