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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. cover

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.

Chapter 26: SECT. III.
By John Maubray
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About This Book

A practical medical manual addressing illnesses and reproductive conditions affecting females across life stages, outlining causes, symptoms, degrees of danger, prevention, and treatment. It combines theoretical discussion of embryology, fetal development, membranes, and the afterbirth with guidance on infant nutrition and care. A large portion presents midwifery technique and recommended qualifications, giving step-by-step directions for normal, difficult, and preternatural births and for postnatal diet and regimen for mother and child. Separate chapters consider virgin-specific disorders, menstrual and related afflictions, and the physiological aspects of sexual intercourse, blending clinical observation with procedural instruction for both practitioners and informed readers.

SECT. III.

CHAP. I.
Of CONCEPTION.

CONCEPTION, in a word, is Two-fold; True and Natural, or False and Præternatural. It is call’d True, in opposition to a False Conception; and Natural, because it answers to the Institution of Nature. Wherefore I shall begin with This, and conduct the Woman, who has truly and naturally conceiv’d, thro’ the different Stages of Life she is to pass; describing plainly, and laying before her the many various Scenes of every respective Stage, which can any ways affect her Person.

IN this nice Affair, like a faithful Pilot, in a narrow Channel, I shall not only point out the Barrs and Rocks, on which she may be Shipwreck’d; but also direct and prescribe her Course, by which she may sail safe into her wish’d-for Port: Where when I have duly secur’d Herself and her Cargo to the Best of my Capacity, I shall thereafter proceed in their Order, to treat of the different Preternatural Conceptions; as I shall in this place now discourse only of the Natural.

THIS Natural Conception then, is the first principal Action, and peculiar Function of the Womb, in duly commixing and fomenting the retain’d Seeds of Man and Woman: Since as the Seed of Plants requires the Matrix of the Earth, to nourish it well, and safely defend it; so doth That Seminal Virtue of Men, the Womb, in this Act of CONCEPTION.

BUT as to the Time of CONCEPTION, I cannot but differ from Those, who protract and put it off till the seventh Day from the first Seminal Retention, for I am clearly of Opinion with Lud. Mercatus[52], that if the Seed be retain’d seven Hours, the Woman hath Conceiv’d: Neither can I find sufficient Reason to think Nature one Moment Idle, much less seven Days. Therefore CONCEPTION ought to be reckoned, from the very Day[53] of the First Retention.

HOWEVER yet, it is certain that, if the Debility of the Seed, or Womb, or Both, happen to hinder or impugn the Work, Nature ejects the Genitura, or Thing conceiv’d, on the seventh Day; which Time is the common Crisis of all Diseases, and Morbifick Accidents: Whereas if no such Effluxion happens about that Time, CONCEPTION[54] is certain, and Formation goes on.

THIS True CONCEPTION is likewise known by many various Signs; whereof I shall mention a Few, not out of any vain Curiosity, but meer Necessity: Because, supposing a Woman to labour under any dangerous acute Disease, it is of the greatest Importance, to be certain, whether she hath conceiv’d, or not; by reason that the Means of her future Relief must (of Necessity) be adapted to her present Condition.