nd
rough artery from the terms, or the thin part of that blood got less
into the reins of the breast; this endangers abortion, and strength
fails from watching: therefore, purge the humours that come to the
breast, with rhubarb and agaric, and strengthen the head as in a
catarrh, and give sweet lenitives as in a cough. Palpitation and
faintness arises from vapours that go to it by the arteries, or from
blood that abounds and cannot get out of the womb, but ascends and
oppresses the heart; and in this case cordials should be used both
inwardly and outwardly. Watching, is from sharp dry vapours that trouble
the animal spirits, and in this case use frictions, and let the woman
wash her feet at bed-time, and let her take syrup of poppies, dried
roses, emulsions of sweet almonds, and white poppy seed. If she be
troubled with pains in her loins and hips, as in those months she is
subject to be, from the weight of her child as it grows big and heavy,
and so stretches the ligaments of the womb and part adjacent, let her
hold it up with swathing bands about her neck. About this time also the
woman often happens to have a flux of blood, either at the nose, womb or
haemorrhoids, from plenty of blood, or from the weakness of the child
that takes it not in, or else from evil humour in the blood, that stirs
up nature and sends it forth. And sometimes it happens that the vessels
of the womb may be broken, either by some violent motion, fall, cough or
trouble of the mind (for any of these will work that effect), and this
is so dangerous, that in such a case the child cannot be well, but if it
be from blood only, the danger is less, provided it flows by the veins
of the neck of the womb, for then it prevents plethora and takes not
away the nourishment of the child; but if it proceeds from the weakness
of the child, that draws it not in, abortion of the child often follows,
or hard travail, or else she goes beyond her time. But if it flows from
the inward veins of the womb, there is more danger by the openness of
the womb, if it come from evil blood; the danger is alike from
cacochymy, which is like to fall upon both. If it arises from plethora,
open a vein, but with great caution, and use astringents, of which the
following will do well:--Take prepared pearls, a scruple; red coral, two
scruples; mace, nutmeg, each a drachm; cinnamon, half a drachm; make a
powder, or with white sugar make rolls. Or give this powder in
broth:--"Take red co