THESEPains, which usually accompany or follow after theBIRTH, are common to allChild-Bed-Women; and in thatNatural Sense, as they proceed only from the quantity ofBLOODabounding in the relaxed Womb, distending itsMEMBRANES, or arise from itsAcrimony; so they gradually cease, and in two or three days quite vanish: Wherefore I am not to insist uponThose, which only affect the debilitatedWomb.
BUTit often and too commonly also happens, that another Sort, justly call’dPreternatural AFTER-PAINS, afflict theWoman; which she sometimes feels about herLoinsand herGroins, sometimes about theNavel, sometimes all over theBelly, and sometimes in theWombonly, and that sometimes with a little, and sometimes without anyIntermission.
THEmost commonCauseof whichPAINSis generally one of theFivefollowing;Viz.1. TheExternal AIR, especially the morefrigid, which easily penetrates into theWomb, if not carefully prevented: 2.Clotted BLOOD, or some otherforeign Bodyleft behind in theWomb: 3. SomeAcrid, andMordaciousBloodadhering to theWomb, which excites and stimulatesExcretion: 4. TheSERUMvellicating or twitching theexcoriatedpart of theWomb: Or, 5.WINDSelevated from theHumoursfermenting in itsSubstance; which, together with those turgentHumours, tear its tenderTUNICKS.
NOWbecause thesePainsoften excruciate theWomanas much as therealLabour-Painsdo, and since they are not always withoutDanger, Necessitydemands that they should be eithercured, or at leastmitigated: Which may be most properly done, by convenient relaxing and attenuatingMedicinesoutwardly applied, as well as inwardly taken, when theCasedoes not require theHand-Cure, or manual Operation.
HOWEVER, yet more particularly, in respect of thePains, from whatCausesoever they may proceed,CLYSTERSofMilkwith theYolks of Eggsare proper; as are also emollientFomentationsmix’d with attenuating andUterine Medicines; aFumigationofBRANDY; aDecoctionof theRecrementsof theRegulusofAntimony; such things being of asulphurous Nature: And moreover, in fine, allAFTER-PAINSare eased byAromatickandCarminative Remedies; such as Seeds ofAnise,Carway,Cummin,Fennel,Penny-Royal,Roman-Camomil, &c. infus’d or boil’d inWineorWater, adding thereto a very littleMaceandSaffron.