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. XXVI.
Of FISSURES or CHOPS of the BELLY.

THIS Symptom only happens to Women bearing their first or second CHILD; whole lower BELLIES have not yet been sufficiently extended by frequent CONCEPTION.

THE Cause proceeds only from the natural Lenitude and Constriction of the Skin of the ABDOMEN or lower Belly; which (in proportion to the Growth of the INFANT) must dilate and distend itself: So far as that towards the latter Months, it gives way to such a large degree, that it appears not otherways than as if the SKIN was to be divided, and almost crack or break by its thin Attenuation.

HOWEVER it occasions also very often great Pain, as well as a permanent wrinkled Deformity of that Part. Wherefore Laxative Liniments, and proper Unguents, are pertinently to be made use of by way of Precaution, from the fourth Month, until the Time of Delivery.