CHAP. XXXIX.
Of the DIET and REGIMEN of the Woman, before and about the Time of BIRTH.
THO’ the Woman ought to be cautious of her DIET and REGIMEN during the whole time of Pregnancy, as advis’d in Chap. 3. of this Section; yet she is now oblig’d in the first place (especially from the beginning of the 9th Month) to be much more circumspect; to use nothing but Food of good Nutrition and easy Concoction, of an Aperitive and Laxative Quality, little at a time, but frequently taken.
II. SHE ought to stir often, and exercise herself moderately, without stooping or bending the Body too much, lest the UMBILICALS may entangle the Infant.
III. SHE should discreetly rest herself at certain Times, and indulge herself in composing Sleep; lying altogether on her Back, not on either Side, that the Infant may freely turn itself.
IV. FROM the tenth Day, proper Emollient and Laxative Decoctions by way of Baths, may necessarily be used twice or thrice a Week, for moistening the Passages, and facilitating the Birth: Or otherwise, the Belly and proper Parts need only be fomented with Cloths, or Spunges dipp’d in such Decoctions, and the neighbouring Places anointed with apposite Liniments or requisite Ointments: But no Laconick or Sweating Baths or Bagnio’s, ought to be used at this Juncture; notwithstanding some contrary Opinions.
V. THE Infant is to be cherish’d, and strengthen’d by proper Cordials inwardly taken, as well as by outward Applications.
VI. THE Room or Chamber in which the Woman is to undergo her Travail and Lying-In, ought to be conveniently temperate, neither too cold nor too hot: By reason that the one certainly constringes and shuts the Womb; as the other dissipates and debilitates the Spirits.
In short, I have known Women, who have often had most painful, lingring, and laborious Births before; to have been Laid afterwards with the greatest Ease imaginable in a very short time, by only carefully observing the above-prescrib’d REGIMEN. Wherefore I shall take leave to go on farther, to