The Female Physician / Containing all the diseases incident to that sex, in virgins, wives, and widows; together with their causes and symptoms, their degrees of danger, and respective methods of prevention and cure: to which is added, the whole art of new improv'd midwifery; comprehending the necessary qualifications of a midwife, and particular directions for laying women, in all cases of difficult and preternatural births; together with the diet and regimen of both the mother and child.

I Have generally observ’d, that Men address their Works to improper Hands; some aim at Personages too great, to regard them; others stoop to Men too unlearned, to defend them: Some again make their Court and apply to Persons in Vogue or in Place, and others cringe and creep after Purse-proud Patrons: But as I pursue not the common Designs of Dedicators, so I have studied no subterfuges of Flattery, nor Flourishes of Panegyrick in this Dedication. I know, that, whatever my Performance may prove, a substantial Work will stand securely upon its own Bottom, and make its way into the World, without any secondary Helps; whereas a slight Defective Piece will fall and be quash’d, tho’ it should even strut with Majesty itself in its glaring Front.

Had I then presum’d upon any particular Voucher for the Female Physician, it would have look’d like acknowledging Guilt and seeking for Defence; Because You, and none else, are the competent Judges in Affairs of this Nature: God having entrusted you only with the Lives of Men; and you (under Him) being the Sole Preservers of Life and the great Distributers of Health, I have thought it my Duty to make this solemn Application to your August Societies in general; and in this manner to render you some small Account of the TALENT, which some of your selves have entrusted me with for Improvement.

In fine, your famous Fraternities being universally celebrated for encouraging of Learning and promoting Ingenuity, You are still the more highly entitled to my Endeavours in both respects; and I my self in all points of Humanity the more secure of your candid Interpretation. The undertaking then being yours by Birth, it has a Natural Claim to your Care; And it being the Duty of Men to provide for their Off-Spring, it has a peculiar Right to your Patronage. Wherefore, with all due Deference and becoming Submission to your wiser Judgments, I lay the Dedication as well as the Work it self entirely at your Feet, in Hopes of your courteous Reception and benign Tutelage both at Home and Abroad: Upon which (in short) I beg Leave to Subscribe my self, with profound Veneration,