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.

CHAP. XV.
Of HEART-BEATINGS and SWOONING-FITS.

THESE Beatings or Palpitations are nothing else but a sudden Loss of all the Strength, with an immoderate Concussion, by a vehement Diastole, and molestous Systole of the HEART: From hence this SYMPTOM easily turns to a Cardialgia, Lipothymia, or Syncope; which are All of near Affinity, in the Case of the Pregnant Woman, so that I shall treat of them conjunctly, and first observe; that

THE Cause of all such SYMPTOMS are but Two-fold, and proceed either from a flatulent Substance of the Humours, ascending, thro’ the Arteries, or the Vena Cava, to the HEART: Or from the Abundance of Blood, which (not finding passage by the Womb) seeks to the superiour Parts, and thence oppresses the HEART and vital Faculty.

THIS Last is the most dangerous Condition, being (in such Plethorick Women) the certain Prognostick of imminent ABORTION: To prevent which unhappy Accident, the principal Part of the Cure, depends very much on cautious Venæ-Sections, or letting Blood, proper Diet, &c: Whereas, in the First Case, proper Discutients, Cordials, and Corroborants, are the most convenient and successful.