THESEbloatingSymptomsnot only happen to someWomenbefore, but also afterBIRTH; especially when theLochia, or Child-bed Cleansings, do not flow in a regularMeasureor sufficientQuantity.
THECauseof the present disorder’dCase, proceeds either from the Suppression of someAqueous Fluxof theWomb; or from some suchwatery serousBlooddescending to theLegs; or from the Abundance of retain’dMenstruousBlood, more than theInfantcan dispense with: which, being of no Service either toMOTHERorCHILD, settles downwards to these aggriev’dParts. Butthese Thingsare to be considered with this Distinction and Difference, that if theLIVERbe debilitated, and theBloodbecom’sPituitousorAqueous, theWoman’sLegsare soOedematousorTumid, that when pressed with the Finger, it leaves the Impression of aDentandHollowness: But if theBloodgrowscorruptedandbilous, herLegsareinflam’d, and sometimes occasionallyexulcerated, as inScorbutick Cases: And if none ofThesehappen, then a gross thickBloodonly abounds, tending vitiouslydownwards. Upon which there are only someLividorBlueish Marks[81]to be discover’d with thoseTumours, such as theVARICESorSwellingsoccasion in the preceedingCase.
INfine, theWomantroubled with theseSymptoms, commonly bears aFemale; as allWomen, having sickly times ofGESTATION, generally do. However yet, tho’ this swellingAffectionis very troublesome, itsDangeris not great; because it ordinarily ceases of it self with good Care after theBIRTH. Wherefore in this Condition aCUREis not always to be attempted, lest theHumoursrecoiling upwards, affect somenobler Part. Nevertheless, if theSWELLINGbe too considerably Painful or Troublesome, properDigerentsandDiscutientsmay be apply’d, and theLegsfomented with a convenientLixivy,Decoction, orCataplasm.