Chapter I: Part 1

Transcriber’s notes

The content of this book has been preserved in its original form as far as possible. However, because some of the scanned text was indistinct and difficult to interpret, the transcription is a ‘best guess’ in some places. The text has many anomalies with regard to punctuation, capitalisation and use of italics. The Middle English language has archaic uses of ‘u’ ‘v’ ‘i’ and ‘j’ as well as the long ‘s’ (replaced with a normal ‘s’ in this transcription). In keeping with the era, the spelling is non-standard and uses space-saving contractions (equivalent to present-day use of an apostrophe to indicate omitted letters). Some of the marks denoting a contraction were indistinct, but in this transcription all are represented by a tilde (~) above the word. The text contains many sidenotes and footnotes, some of which were impossible to differentiate with certainty. Three footnotes (19, 20, 52) lacked identifiable anchor markers within the text, so markers have been inserted at ‘best guess’ locations and the respective footnotes identified with two asterisks. In this plain text version, italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and superscripted text is preceded by a caret (^). Sidenotes precede the relevant paragraphs, and footnotes follow the paragraphs. A short table of contents (that was not present in the original) has been added to the transcription to assist readers.

A BRIEFE DISCOVRSE
OF A DISEASE
_CALLED THE_
Suffocation of the
_Mother_.

Written vppon occasion which
hath beene of late taken thereby, to suspect possession
of an euill spirit, or some such like
supernaturall power.

_Wherein is declared that diuers strange_
actions and passions of the body of man, which in
_the common opinion, are imputed to the Diuell,
haue their true naturall causes, and do
accompanie this disease_.

By EDVVARD IORDEN
_Doctor in Physicke_.

LONDON.
Printed by _Iohn Windet_, dwelling at the Signe of
_the Crosse Keyes at Powles Wharfe_. 1603.

MVSEVM
BRITAN
NICVM
]

Contents

Preface

Cap.1. That this disease doth oftentimes giue occasion vnto simple
and vnlearned people, to suspect possession, witchcraft,
or some such like supernaturall cause.

Cap.2. What this disease is, and by what means it causeth such
varietie of Symptoms.

Cap.3. Of the kinds of this disease, and first of that wherein the
vitall facultie is offended.

Cap.4. Of that kind of this disease wherein the animall facultie
is offended.

Cap.5. Of that kind wherein the naturall facultie is offended.

Cap.6. Of the causes of this disease.

Cap.7. Of the cure of this disease, so much as belongeth to the
friends and attendants to performe.

TO THE RIGHT WOR
shipfull the President and Fellowes of the
_Colledge of Phisitions in_
London.

_As I am desirous to satisfie all indifferent men concerning the occasion and intent of this my discourse: so I thought good to direct the same especially vnto this societie, whereof I am a member; to testifie both how iustly or rather necessarily I haue beene drawn to the vndertaking and publishing hereof: as also how willing I am to submit my selfe to your learned censure; the argument of my writing being such as none can better iudge of then your selues._

_And first I protest vpon that credit which I desire to haue among you, that I haue not vndertaken this businesse of mine owne accord, as if I esteemed of mine owne knowledge and obseruation in this case aboue other mens. For (if it had beene thought good to haue imposed it vppon others) I do acknowledge that there are many among vs better able then my selfe to haue written in this kind, vnto whome I would willingly haue put ouer my taske. Neither did I euer find my selfe prouoked hereunto upon any peeuish humor to contradict or to disgrace any who doe iudge otherwise of some pointes contained herein, then my selfe doe: many of them being such as I do loue and affect well. Neither vpon any fawning humor to please or flatter any person whatsoeuer; which I doe esteeme more base then begging. But disclayming both hony and gall, I haue plainely set downe the true doctrine of Phisicke concerning that disease which giues to great occasion of distraction among many good men: especially such as haue not learning sufficient to resolue them of this point, or not that moderation and humilitie of spirit to acknowledge their insufficiencie, and to hearken vnto others whom in all reason they might thinke able to direct them better in such a case._

_For if it be true that one man cannot be perfect in euery arte and profession, and therefore in cases out of our owne callings, we do depend vpon those which haue beene trayned up in other particular subiects, beleeuing men in their owne professions: Why should we not prefer the iudgements of Phisitions in a question concerning the actions and passions of mans bodie (the proper subiect of that profession) before our owne conceites; as we do the opinions of Diuines, Lawyers, Artificers, &c. in their proper Elements. Neither haue I done this as taking vpon me to reforme the mindes of men which are not vnder my charge (for I could willingly haue permitted euery man to enioy his owne opinion:) But being a Phisition, and iudging in my conscience that these matters haue been mistaken by the commõ people; I thought good to make knowne the doctrine of this disease, so farre forth, as may be in a vulgar tongue conueniently disclosed, to the end that the vnlearned and rash conceits of diuers, might be thereby brought to better vnderstanding and moderation; who are apt to make euery thing a supernaturall work which they do not vnderstand, proportioning the bounds of nature vnto their own capacities: which might proue an occasion of abusing the name of God, and make vs to vse holy prayer as vngroundedly as the Papists do their prophane trickes; who are readie to drawe forth their wooden dagger, if they do but see a maid or woman suffering one of these fits of the Mother, coniuring and exorcising them as if they were possessed with euil spirits. And for want of worke, will oftentimes suborne others that are in health, to counterfait strange motions and behauiours: as I once saw in the_ Santo _in_ Padua _fiue or sixe at one sermon interrupting and reuiling the Preacher, vntill he had put them to silence by the signe of the Crosse, and certaine powerlesse spelles_.

_Wherefore it behoueth vs as to be zealous in the truth, so to be wise in discerning truth from counterfaiting and naturall causes from supernaturall power. I doe not deny but that God doth in these dayes worke extraordinarily, for the deliuerance of his children, and for other endes best knowne vnto himselfe; and that among other, there may be both possessions by the Diuell, and obsessions and witchcraft, &c. and dispossession also through the Prayers and supplications of his seruants, which is the onely meanes left vnto vs for our reliefe in that case. But such examples being verie rare now adayes, I would in the feare of God aduise men to be very circumspect in pronouncing of a possession: both because the impostures be many, and the effects of naturall diseases be strange to such as haue not looked throughly into them._

_But let vs consider a little the signes which some doe shew of a supernaturall power in these examples. For if they say there neede no such signes appeare, because the Diuill by witchcraft may inflict a naturall disease: then I ask them what they haue to doe with the Diuell, or with dispossessing of him, when he is not their present, but hath beene onely an externall cause of a disease, by kindling or corrupting the humours of our bodies; which disease as well as other will submit it selfe to physicall indications: as is shewed, cap. 1. Wherefore they must needes make him to be an internall cause, and to possesse the members and faculties of the bodie, and holde them to his vse: or else they vnderstand not what they say, when they doe peremptorily disclaime naturall meanes, and auouch that they speake certaine wordes, and performe certaine voluntarie motions vpon his incitation, and are hindred by him from speaking other wordes which they would faine vtter. And therefore to this end diuerse signes and Symptoms are alledged by them, as arguments of a supernaturall and extraordinarie power inhærent in the body._

_One of their signes is_ Insensibilitie, _when they doe not feele, being pricked with a pin, or burnt with fire, &c. Is this so strange a spectacle, when in the Palsie, the falling sicknesse, Apoplexis, and diuerse other diseases, it is dayly obserued? And in these fits of the Mother it is so ordinarie as I neuer read any Authour writing of this disease who doth not make mention thereof. This poynt you shall finde proued both by authorities and examples in the 4. Chapter._

_There also you shall find conuulsions, contractions, distortions, and such like to be ordinarie Symptoms in this disease._

_Another signe of a supernaturall power they make to be the due & orderly returning of the fits, when they keepe their iust day and houre, which we call periods or circuits. This accident as it is common to diuerse other chronicall diseases, as head-aches, gowtes, Epilepsies, Tertians, Quartians, &c. so it is often obserued in this disease of the mother as is sufsiciently proued in the 2. Chapter._

_Another argument of theirs is the ofsence in eating, or drinking, as if the Diuell ment to choake them therewith. But this Symptom is also ordinarie in vterin affects, as I shew in the sixt Chapter: and I haue at this time a patient troubled in like maner._

_Another reason of theirs is, the comming of the fits vpon the presence of some certaine person. The like I doe shew in the same Chapter, and the reasons of it, from the stirring of the affections of the mind._

_Another maine argument of theirs, is the deliuerance vpon fasting and prayer: which we will imagin to be so in deed, without any counterfeiting in that point. You shall see in the 7. Chapter, how this may be a naturall remedie two maner of wayes: the one by pulling downe the pride of the bodie, and the height of the naturall humors therof; a verie conuenient meanes, and often prescribed by our Authours in yong and lustie bodies: the other by the confident perswasion of the patient to find release by that means: which I shew in that Chapter by rules and authorities in our profession and also by examples, to be a verie effectuall remedie in curing diuerse diseases of this nature._

_Many other such like instances they may produce, according vnto euerie ones seurall conceit: which were in vaine for me to repeat perticulary: vnlesse I knew wherein they would principally insist. But in the discourse following I haue as neare as I could described al the Symptoms of this disease; whereby euerie man may readily find answers to his seuerall obiections._

_Now to testifie my loue and affection to this societie of ours, and that I esteeme more of the censure of a fewe learned and graue men, then of the opinions of a multitude of other people: I thought good to choose no other persons to patronize this slender discourse then your selues, who are best able of any in this land, or any such like societie elsewhere (that euer I could find) to iudge whether I write true doctrine or no._

_Wherefore desiring you to accept it in good part, and
as occasion may serue to giue testimonie vnto it according
as your iudgements and consciences
shall lead you, I take my leaue this
2. Martii, 1602._

Your louing friend and Colleague.

_Ed. Iorden._

Of the suffocation of _the Mother_.

Cap. 1.

_That this disease doth oftentimes giue occasion vnto simple and
vnlearned people, to suspect possession, witchcraft, or some such
like supernaturall cause._

[Sidenote: _Altomarus de medend. hum. corp. malis cap. 110. Barth. Montagnana Consilio. 226._]

[Sidenote: _Mercatus lib. 2. cap. 2. & 3._]

The passiue condition of womankind is subiect vnto more diseases and of other[1] sortes and natures then men are: and especially in regarde of that part[2] from whence this disease which we speake of doth arise. For as it hath more varietie of[3] offices belonging vnto it then other partes of the bodie haue, and accordingly is supplied from other partes with whatsoeuer it hath need of for those vses: so it must needes thereby be subiect vnto mo infirmities then other parts are: both by reason of such as are bred in the part it selfe, and also by reason of such as are communicated vnto it from other parts, with which it hath correspondence. And as those offices in their proper kindes are more excellent then other; so the diseases whereby they are hurt or depraued, are more grieuous. But amongest all the diseases wherevnto that sex is obnoxious, there is none comparable vnto this which is called _The Suffocation of the mother_, either for varietie, or for strangenesse of accidents. For whatsoeuer straunge accident may appeare in any of the principall functions of mans bodie, either animall, vitall, or naturall, the same is to bee seene in this disease, by reason of the communitie and consent which this part hath with the braine, heart, and liuer, the principall seates of these three functions; and the easie passage which it hath vnto them by the Vaines, Arteries, and Nerues. And whatsoeuer humor in other partes may cause extraordinarie affects, by reason of the abundance or corruption of it, this part will affoord the like in as plentifull a manner, and in as high a degree of corruption: and with this aduauntage that whereas in the other, some one or two of the faculties onely one are hurt (as in _Apoplexies_, _Epilepsyes_, _Syncopyes_, subuersions of the stomacke, &c.) and not all (vnlesse as in _Syncopyes_ by consent, where the vitall function ceasing, all the rest must needes cease) in this case all the faculties of the bodie doe suffer; not as one may do from another, but all directly from this one fountaine, in such sort as you shall often tymes perceyue in one and the same person diuerse accidents of contrarie natures to concurre at once.

[1] _Hyppocras. 6 vulgar. part. 7._

[2] _Galen 6. locorum affect. cap. 5. radix suffocationum
vterus._

[3] _Mercatus de muliebr. lib. 2, cap. 1._

1. _Ad sui ipsius alimontam._

2. _Ad species propagationem_.

3. _Ad beneficium indiuidui per euacuationẽ superfluitatum._

[Sidenote: Valetius scoffing at their ignorance calleth this disease a kind of diuell. _in Holler. cap. 59_.]

And hereupon the _Symptoms_ of this disease are sayd to be monstrous and terrible to beholde, and of such a varietie as they can hardly be comprehended within any method or boundes. Insomuch as they which are ignorant of the strange affects which naturall causes may produce, and of the manifold examples which our profession of Phisicke doth minister in this kind, haue sought aboue the Moone for supernaturall causes: ascribing these accidents either to diabolicall possession, to witchcraft, or to the immediate finger of the Almightie.

[Sidenote: _Cosmocrit. li. 1 cap. 7. pag. 153 Inexperto medico sapè suspitionem ñuminis præb̃uerunt_]

But it is no maruell though the common people and men also in other faculties verie excellent may bee deceyued by the rarenesse and straungenesse of these matters, which are hidden out of their Horizon amongest the deepest mysteries of our profession: when as Phisitions themselues, as _Cornelius Gemma_ testifieth. If they bee not verie wel exercised in the practise of their profession, are oftentimes deceyued, imagining such manifolde straunge accidents as their hee mencioneth to accompanie this disease, (as _suffocation_ in the throate, croaking of Frogges, hissing of Snakes, crowing of Cockes, barking of Dogges, garring of Crowes, frenzies, convulsions, hickcockes, laughing, singing, weeping, crying, &c.) to proceede from some metaphysicall power, when in deede (as hee there sayeth) they are meerely naturall.

[Sidenote: _Fen. 21. 3 cap: 26: tract: 4:_]

_Auicen_ also in his Chapter of this disease, speaking of the causes of it, sayth, that there were some wise Phisitions in his time which said, that the cause of this disease was vnknowne: Because as _Iacobus de Partibus_ expoundeth it, they did thinke it to be inflicted from aboue, yet notwithstanding he setteth downe naturall causes of it, and a naturall cure.

[Sidenote: _Lib. de morbo sacro in principio._]

[Sidenote: _Inscitia palliũ maleficium & incantatio. R. Sc: li, 1. cap. 3_]

_Hippocrates_ also long before finding this error to bee helde by some in his time maketh mention of diuerse of these _Symptoms_, and sayeth, that hee doth not see anie thing in them more supernaturall, or more to bee admired, then there is in Tertians, and Quartans, and other kindes of diseases: imputing it either vnto ignorance, and want of experience that Phisitians of his time did iudge otherwise; or vnto a worser humor, when as beeing loath to bewray their owne defects through pride and arrogancie: and not knowing what to prescribe would flie vnto diuine causes, and neglecting naturall meanes for their reliefe, would wholy relie vpon expiations, incantations, sacrifices, &c. cloaking their ignoraunce vnder these shadows, and pretending both more knowledge, and more pietie then other men: by which course they gained this aduauntage, that if the patient chanced to recouer, they should bee highly renowmed for their skill; if not, their excuse was readie that Gods hande was against them.

This hee speaketh of the Phisitions of his time, whome he confuteth principally by two reasons, which may serue for excellent rules for all men to discerne such cases by. The first is, that there is no supernaturall Character in these _Symptoms_, as hee proueth by an induction of diuerse of them, which in the cõmon opinion were thought to be aboue nature: yet hee proueth to haue their naturall causes in the bodie of man as well as others haue.

The strength of this argument will better appeare hereafter in the particular _Symptoms_, which we are to entreate of: where it shall be made manifest that the most of them doe both depende vpon such naturall causes as other diseases haue in our bodies, and also are oftentimes mixed with other diseases which are accompted naturall.

It may likewise appeare by this, that whereas all other diseases are knowne by their notes and signes which resemble their cause (as _Choller_, _Flegme_, _Melancholy_, _&c._ haue their proper markes, corruption and putrefaction, their proper notes and malignity his Character) so there must be some Character or note of a supernaturall power in these cases (as [4]extraordinary strength or knowledge or suffering) or else we haue no cause but to think them naturall. If the diuell as an externall cause, may inflict a disease by stirring vp or kindling the humours of our bodies, and then depart without supplying continuall supernaturall power vnto it;[5] then the disease is but naturall, and will submit it selfe vnto Physicall cure. For externall causes when they are already remoted, giue no indication of any remedy.

[4] Luk. 8. 27. 28. &c.

_Ternel de abditis rerum causis lib. 2. cap 16 Platerus de mẽtis
alienat. pag. 102._

_Beniuenius de abditis morborum causis cap. 8. Alsharauius. C. de
Epilepsia._

[5] _Auicen. C. de melancholisi contingat a Demonio sufficit nobis
quod conuertat comptexionem ad choleram nigram, &c. Vide Iacobum de
partibus inhunc locum. Valesius metb; medendi lib. 2. cap. 2._

The second argument of this is, that these _Symptoms_ do yeeld vnto natural causes, and are both procured and also eased by such ordinary meanes, as other diseases are: and[6] therefore they must needs be naturall.

[6] _Fernel loco citato matheus de Grad. ex Azariuio. C. de
Epilepsia._

The strength of this argument is grounded vpon the very foundation of our profession which hath beene layd by[7] _Hyppocrates_ and[8] _Gallen_ long agoe and euer since confirmed by the practise and obseruations of all learned men; that diseases are cured by their contraries. I say contrary[9] both vnto the disease, vnto the cause, and vnto the _Symptom_. And the more exact the contrarietie is; the more proper is the remedy: as when they are equall in[10] degree or in power. But what equality of contrariety either in degree or in power, can there be betweene a supernaturall suffocating power, and the compression of the belly or throate. They are disperats in Logicke, but not contraries. For contrarietie is betweene such as are comprehended vnder one generall. And where one is opposed vnto one alone, and not indifferently vnto many. Neither doe I thinke, that any man wel aduised, will say that by compression of those parts, he is able to suppresse the power of the diuell. The like may be saide of the application of cupping glasses, of sweete plaisters, of ligatures, &c. beneath, and of euell smelles aboue; by all which we do obserue those kindes of fits to be mitigated: and yet there can bee no such contrary respect in thẽ against a supernatural cause, as is between a remedy and a disease. They are also procured vpon sweete smelles, vpon pleasant meats and drinkes, vpon feare, anger, iealousie, &c. as in the particular causes shall bee farther declared: and yet no such consent can bee shewed in them with any supernaturall affect, as that they may any way cause or encrease it. Wherefore the rule of _Hyppocrates_ must needes be true; that if these _Symptoms_ do yeeld vnto naturall remedies, they must also bee naturall themselues. And thus much in explanation of these two arguments of _Hyppocrates_ against the errour of his time: which notwithstanding hath been continued in the mindes of men vntill this day, and no maruell: vnlesse the same corruption which bred it at the first, had beene remoued out of the world. And therefore diuers of our Authors doe make especiall mention of this case wherein they report the common people to haue beene deceiued by imagining witchcraft or possession, where indeed there was none.

[7] _Hippo. de natura humaaa circa medium. Destatibus paulo post
principium._

[8] _Gal. de Venesectione aduersus Erasistr: cap: 8, in arte
medicina li cap: 89. in constitutione artis cap: 13. methodi med:
lib. 9. 10. 11. &c._

[9] _Valesius meth. med: lib: 1. cap: 4:_

[10] _Mercatus meth med: pag: 42: 43: Gal. Simplicium lib. 3: cap:
11: Valesius controuers: lib. 1. cap. 4_ Luk, 11. vers. 21. 22.

[Sidenote: _Georg. Godelman. de magis. &c. lib 1: cap 8._

_Bruno Seidelius de morbis incurab: pag: 19: Centuria 5, curat: 75._]

_Amatus Lusitanus_ reporteth of one _Diua Clara_, a maide of 18. years of age, which had euery day two or three such strange fits, as those that were about her, gaue out that she was haunted with an euill spirit.

In those fits euery part of her body was distorted, she felt nothing, nor perceiued any thing: but had all her senses benummed, her hart beating, her teeth close shut together: yet for an houres space or two she would haue such strong motions, that shee would weary the strongest men that came at her. When she had beene three weekes in this case, her left arme began to be resolued with a palsie, &c. He being called vnto her prescribed such remedies as are usuall in this case, and within few dayes recouered her, to the great admiration of the beholders.

[Sidenote: _Obseruationũ medicin: lib: 10 obseru: 30._]

_Petrus Forrestus_ maketh mention of another maid of 22. yeares old, which dwelt with a Burgermaster of _Delft_ in _Holland_, who falling in loue with a yong man, fell also into these fits of the Mother: which held her many houres together with such violent horrible accidents, as hee neuer sawe the like: her whole body being pulled to and fro with convulsiue motions, her belly sometimes lifted vp, and sometimes depressed, a roaring noise heard within her, with crying and howling, a distortion of her armes and handes: insomuch as those about her thought her to be possessed with a diuell, and out of all hope of recouery. He being called vnto her in Ianuarie 1565. applied conuenient remedies as there he setteth downe, and in a short time restored her to her health againe.

[Sidenote: _Thaddæus Dumus miscall: cap 9._]

[Sidenote: _Lib. 28. obseru. 26:_]

Many more such like examples might bee produced both out of authenticall writers in our profession and out of our own experiences, which yet do liue (were it not that late examples would bee offensiue to rehearse:) but these may suffice to show how easily men vnexperienced in those extraordinarie kinds of diseases, may mistake the causes of them: when through admiration of the vnwonted and grieuous accidents they behold, they are caried vnto Magicall and Metaphysicall speculations. But the learned Phisition who hath first beene trained vp in the study of Philosophy, and afterwards confirmed by the practise and experience of all manner of naturall diseases, is best able to discerne what is naturall, what not naturall, what preternaturall, and what supernaturall, the three first being properly subiect to his profession: and therefore they doe wrong vnto the faculty of Phisicke, and vnto them selues, and oftentimes vnto others, who neglecting that light which wee might yeeld them, doe runne headlong and blindefold into many errors and absurdities. For preuention whereof I haue breefly set downe what the doctrine of Phisitions is concerning this disease of the Mother, which of all other is most subiect vnto misconstruction. For that as _Forrestus_ saieth it is a harde matter to discerne in what maner the Mother may occasion such strange and manifold accidents.

Cap. 2.

_What this disease is, and by what means it causeth such varietie of
Symptoms._

[Sidenote: _Cardamus de causis sig. 13 locis morborum cap. 114._

_Altomarus cap. 110. Guaynerius cap. de suffo: matricis._]

[Sidenote: _Æesius tetr: 4 Serm. 4. cap. 68 P. Ægineta lib. 3. cap. 71. Victor Trincavel. lib: 5. sect. 3 cap. 9._]

This disease is called by diuerse names amongst our Authors. _Passio Hysterica_, _Suffocatio_, _Præfocatio_, and _Strangulatus vteri_, _Caducus matricis_, _&c._ In English the Mother, or the Suffocation of the Mother, because most commonly it takes them with choaking in the throat: and it is _an affect of the Mother or wombe wherein the principal parts of the bodie by consent do suffer diuersly according to the diuersitie of the causes and diseases wherewith the matrix is offended._

I call it an _affect_ in a large signification to comprehend both _morbum_ and _Symptoma_. For sometimes it is either of them, and somtimes both. For in regard the actions of expulsion or retention in the _Mother_ are hurt. It may be called a _Symptoma in actione læsa_: in regard of the humor to be expelled which corrupteth and putrifieth to a venemous malignitie. It is likewise a _Symptom in excremento vteri mutato_. And in regard of the perfrigeration of the Mother, and so of the whole bodie. It is also a _Symptom_[11] _in qualitate tangibili mutata_, not _morbus ex intẽperie_:[12] because it is suddenly inflicted & suddenly remoued. But in regard of the rising of the Mother wherby it is somtimes drawn vpwards or sidewards aboue his natural seate, compressing the neighbour parts, & so consequently one another. It may be said to be _morbus in situ_, in respect of the compression it selfe, causing suffocatiõ and difficultie of breathing. It may be[13] _causa morbi in forma_ by causing _coarctation_ of the instruments of breathing. And sometimes these are complicated and[14] together with a venemous vapour, arising from this corrupt humor vnto diuers parts of the bodie, there will be an euill position of the matrix also: either because the ligaments, vaines and arteries beeing obstructed:[15] by those vapours are shortened of their wonted length, and so draw vp the part higher then it should be, or[16] for that the matrix being grieuously anoyed with the malignity of those vapours doth contract it selfe and rise vp by a locall motion towards the midrif.

[11] _Albert. Bottonus cap. 39._

[12] _Gal. locorum affectorum 3. cap. 7._

_Petrus Salius pag. 467._

_Altomarus cap. 110._

_Horatius Angenius Epist. 6_

[13] _Gal. de causis morb. cap. 7_

[14] _Altomarus citato. Rondelesius methodo curand. morb. cap. 69.
matheus de grad. in 9 Rhasis. cap. 28_

[15] _Mercatus lib 2. cap 3._

[16] _Matheus de grad. in 9. Rhasis cap. 28. Hor. Angenius sibi
offensum fugiens vt et iucundum insequens._

[Sidenote: _Galen. 6. loc. affert. cap. 5. Auicen. Fen. 21 3. cap. 16. tract 4. initium est ex matrice et peruenit ad communitatẽ fortem cordis et cerebri &c. Horatius Angenius Epistola 6._]

[Sidenote: _Petrus solius diuersus pag. 400_]

[Sidenote: _Mercat. pa. 170_]

[Sidenote: _Merca. pa. 174_]

I say of the _Mother_ or wombe because although the wombe many times in this disease doe suffer but secondarily, yet the other parts are not affected in this disease but from the Mother: (_Radix suffocationum vterus_) which finding it selfe anoyed by some vnkind humor, either within it selfe, or in the vessels adioyning or belonging vnto it, doth by a naturall instinct which is ingrafted in euery part of the body for his owne preseruation, endeuour to expell that which is offensiue: in which conflict if either the passage be obstructed, or the humor inobedient or malignant, or the functions of the wombe any way depraued, the offence is communicated from thence vnto the rest of the body. The principall part of the body are the seates of the three faculties, which do gouerne the whole body. The braine of the animall, the hart of the vitall, the liuer of the naturall; although some other parts are plentifully endewed with some of these faculties, as the stomacke, entrailes, vaines, spleene, &c. with naturall faculties, the instruments of respiration[17] with animall and naturall. These parts are affected in this disease, and do suffer in their functions as they are diminished, depraued, or abolished,[18] according to the nature & plenty of the humor, and the temperament and scituation of the Mother: and that _diuersly_: For somtimes the instruments of respiration alone doe suffer, sometimes the heart alone, sometimes two or three faculties together, sometimes successiuely one after another, sometimes one part suffereth both a resolution and a conuulsion in the same fit, or when as it suffereth in one part and not in another, as we see oftentimes sense and motion to bee taken away and yet hearing and memorie to remaine, the speech failing and respiration good. Sometimes respiration, sense, and motion do altogether faile, and yet the pulse remaine good: So that the varietie of those fits is exceeding great, wherein the principall parts of the body doe diuersly suffer.

[17] _Gal. de difficultate respirãd: lib. 1. cap. 7. Trincauel.
li. 4. cap. 12. Felix platerus ca. de respira. defectis. Gal. de
sympt. differentiis Cap 2. 3._

[18] _Gal. 5. loc. affect. 6 Mercatus pag. 173._

[Sidenote: _Gabr. Fallopius de med. purg. Cap. 17. et 23. via euacuationis._]

Another diuersitie there is, in the order of these fits: for somtimes they keep due[19] periods or circuits yearly or monthly, according to the falling sicknes, and sometime euery weeke, sometimes[20] euery day, &c. I know a gentlewomã in this towne, who for 2. yeares together neuer missed a fit of the Mother in the afternoone. The like is hereafter mentioned in the Essex gentlewo. who for 16. years altogether had euery day a fit of the Mother at a certaine houre. _D. Argent_ and I had another patient, in whome for 10. weeks together we obserued a fit of the mother euery saturday. I adde _by consent of the Mother_ to distinguish those _Symptoms_ or diseases from such as are caused originally by the part affected. For being procured but by consent, they endure no longer thẽ the fits of the mother do continue. The consent or communitie by which the matrix hath with those principal parts of the body is easily perceiued, if wee consider the anatomy of that part, & the diuers waies whereby it may and doth communicate with them. The fũctions of this part, besides that which is commõ to all other for their nutriment deriued from the naturall facultie, are 2. the one respecting the preseruatiõ of the whole body, as it is an _Emunctory_ of diuers superfluities which do abound in that sex. The other for the propagation of mankind, where it is to be conceiued and nourished vntill it be able to appeare in the world. In regard of these offices this part hath neede of great varietie of prouision, according as the vses are manifold. The substance is neruous, for the great necessitie it hath of sence and motion.

[19] **_Ætius lib. 26. cap. 70_

P. Agineta. lib. 3. cap. 71.

Rhasis cont. lib. 22. mesue sum. 4. part. 4. sect. 1 cap. 8._

[20] **_Auicen Fen. 213. cap. 16. tract 4. quandoque sunt period.
eius tardi, quandoque accidit omni die._

[Sidenote: _Constant. Varelius lib. 4. cap. 3_]

It is also _Porous_ for the better entertaining of the vitall spirits and the necessitie it hath of distention and contraction.

[Sidenote: _Gasparus Bauhinus historia anatom. p. 71._]

It is tied vnto diuers partes of the body that it might the better beare the weight of an infant: backwards by little strings vnto the lower gut, vnto the loines and _os sacrum_: forwardes vnto the necke of the bladder and _os pubis_ by certaine membranes deriued from the _peritoneum_: on each side it is tyed vnto _ossa illii_ by a ligament growing from the muscles of the loynes. It receiueth also for the former vses, vaines from the liuer, arteries from the hart, and nerues from the braine and backe, which are all inserted into the substance of the part, to deriue vnto it the benefit of those 3. faculties, both for the proper vse of the part, and for the vse of propagation and to discharge the whole bodie of diuers superfluities, which otherwise would be an occasion of many infirmities in them.

Now according to this description let vs consider how by consent, the principall partes of the bodie may bee affected from the matrix.

[Sidenote: _Fernel. pathologiæ li. 6. ca. 16_]

[Sidenote: _Forestus lib. 10 obseru: 115: in scholsis._]

The partes of our bodie doe suffer by consent[21] two manner of wayes. The one is when they doe recyue some offensiue thing from another parte which is [22]called _Communitas non absoluta_. And this is either a qualitie as in venemous and infectious diseases, where the malignitie creeping from one part to another doth alter the qualitie of the parts as it goeth, and at the last is communicated to the principall parts, as the head, heart, liuer, longs, &c. or a substance which either by manifest conducts, as vaines, nerues, arteries, &c. or by insensible pores (as _Hyppocrates_ saith, our bodies are transpirable, and transmeable) is conuaied from one part to another: whether it be a vapour or a humor, as wee doe commonly obserue in the fits of feuers, where a vapour arising from the part affected, disperseth it selfe through the whole body, and affecteth the sensiue parts with colde or heate, the motiue parts with trembling, the vitall parts with fainting, sounding, inequalitie of pulse, &c. the naturall parts with deiection of appetite, subuersion of the stomacke, &c. vntill nature haue ouercome and discussed it. In these Feuers also many times humors are so plentifully sent vp vnto the braine, as by custome or long continuance they breede some proper affect there.

[21] _Trincauel. l. 3 Sect. 2. cap. 2._

[22] _Auicen. Fẽ. 1. 3. tract. 2. ca. 6 Montagnana consil.
226_

[Sidenote: _Gal: locorum affect: 1: cap: 6_]

[Sidenote: _Rondeletius cap 69. Trincauell loco citato:_]

The other kinde of communitie is that which they call _Communitas absoluta_, wherein the part consenting receiueth nothing from the other, but yet is partaker of his griefe: either for _similitude_ of substance or function, which causeth mutuall compassion: as all neruous partes haue with the braine: whereby if any Nerue or neruous part bee hurt or pricked, the braine suffreth a convulsion, or _for neighbourhood_ and vicinitie, whereby one part may offend another, by compression or incumbencie: as in the prolapse of the Mother, the bladder or fundament is oftentimes offended in their naturall excretion. And in this disease which we haue in hand by the locall motion of it vpwardes, the midriffe is straightned of his scope, whereby the lunges doe faile in their dutie, or by _reason of connexion or continuitie_ which it hath with other parts, by Vaines, Nerues, Arteries, Membranes, Ligaments, &c. whereby the offence is easily imparted vnto other partes. Or lastly by priuation of some _facultie or matter_, whereof the part hath neede. As in the obstruction of the _Spina Dorsi_ there followeth a resolution or palsie of the legges or armes, by reason that the animall facultie that should giue sence or motion to the part is intercepted and hindered in his passage. Likewise in a resolution of the Muscles of the brest, as in a wound of that part, or in swounding the voice is taken away, because the matter of it which is breath, is either not sufficiently made, or is carried another way, or not competently impelled to the organs of voyce.

All these manner of wayes hath the Matrix by consent to impart her offence vnto other parts. For there wãteth no corruption of humor, vapour, nor euill qualitie, where this part is ill affected, to infect other partes withall, there wantes no oportunitie of conueyance or passage vnto any part, by reason of the large Vaynes, Arteries, and Nerves, which are deriued vnto it, with which it hath great affinitie and similitude of substance, besides the connexion it hath with the heart, liuer, braine, and backe. It is linked also in neighborhoode with diuerse partes of great vse, as the bladder, guttes, midriffe, &c. which are likely to bee warmed when this part doth burne. _According to the varietie of causes and diseases wherewith the wombe is offended_, these _Symptoms_ doe differ in nature, or in degree. [23]A plentifull matter produceth a vehement _Symptom_: a corrupt matter according to the degree of corruption, and the qualitie of the humor corrupted, causeth like accidents. The diseases also of the Mother being cõplicated with the former corrupt humors do yeeld varietie of _Symptoms_: as the rising of the Mother, which alwayes causeth shortnes of breath: [24]Empostumes of the Mother according to the place where they are bred, and the quality of them, doe also bring a difference in _Symptoms_. And thus much for explanation of the definition.

[23] _Mercatus pag. 165._

[24] _Mathæus de gradi. & Auicenna locis citatis._

Cap. 3.

_Of the kinds of this disease, and first of that wherein the vitall
facultie is offended._

[Sidenote: _Affectus corporis vel excretionum vitiæ._]

Now I come to the kinds and sorts of this disease, which may bee reduced vnto three principall heades, according as euerie part of the bodie belongeth vnto some of the three principall functions which do gouerne the bodie of man. Not that euerie _Symptom_ in this disease doth hurt some of the three functions, for some are onely molestations or deformities, as sudden Collickes, windie humors, noyses, alteration of colour, &c. But because euerie part may well bee mustred vnder some of these generals: and we doe seldome see any hystericall affect wherein some one or mo of the functions are not affected. These functions as they are distinct in office, so they possesse in our bodies seuerall seats and haue seuerall instruments belonging vnto them.

[Sidenote: _Trincauel. li. 4 cap. 24._]

[Sidenote: _De partium morbis et symp. lib. 5: cap. 12._]

1 The vitall function which by preseruing naturall heat in a due temperature, maintaineth the coniunction of soule and bodie togither, hath his principall mansion in the heart, and from thence by his Arteries conueyeth vitall spirites vnto euery member. So as without this wee could not liue: and therefore it is accounted the principallest function, because the rest receyue their being from this, and this fayling they must needes all cease. This function is performed by the motion of the heart, and Arteries, which in this affect of the Mother is drawne into consent as it is either diminished, abolished, or depraued. The deprauation of this motion is either when it is too fast and quick, or when it beates disorderly. The pulse in this disease is oftentimes too quicke, although it bee weake withall: but seeing it brings no great offence with it, the patient doth seldome complaine thereof. The greater offence is when it beates disorderly, and keepes no equall nor orderly stroke, but either trembleth and daunceth in the motion, or else is violently impelled: insomuch as it doth not onely remoue ones hande being applied to some part where the Arteries are great and near to the skinne (as lately appeared in a noble Gentleman of this lande now dead) but as _Fernelius_ testifieth, hath sometimes displaced the ribbes, and sometimes broken them through the violent motion of the heart.

This _Symptom_ is called the palpitation or beating of the heart, or Arteries whereof _Maximillian_ the Emperour died, as _Crato_ reporteth, and wherewith _Charles_ the fift was oftentimes molested, as _Vesalius_ writeth. It is chiefly to bee perceyued where the Arteries are great & neare the skin: as vnder the left ribbes towards the backe, and in the necke: as you may obserue in Maides that haue the greene sicknesse, by the shaking and quiuering of their ruffes, if they sit close to their neckes: where sometimes through the dilatation of the Arterie there ariseth a [25]tumour as bigge as ones fist. This _Symptom_ is euerie where mentioned by our [26]Authours in this disease and our dayly experience confirmeth it.

[25] _Aneurisms. Fernel. loco citato._

[26] _Petrus Salius pag. 429. Skinckius de cordis palpit. obs. 211,
item 218, 222. Forestus lib. 17 obs. 8._

This motion of the heart and Arteries in this affect of the Mother is oftentimes diminished either in part or to sense totally. In part, where the pulse in this disease is weake, slow, obscure, intermittent, &c. and the whole bodie accordingly feeble and slow in euery action, for want of influence of vitall facultie from the heart. It is totally diminished in that _Symptom_ which is called _Syncope_ or swounding, the very image of death, where the pulse is [27]scarcely or not at all perceyued; the breath or respiration cleane gone: by reason that the heart wanting his motion, hath no neede of the helpe of the lungs to refresh it withall, all the faculties of the body fayling, it self lying like a dead corpse three or foure houres togither, and [28]sometimes two or three whole dayes without sense, motion, breath, heate, or any signe of life at all (like as wee see Snakes and other creatures to lie all the winter, as if they were dead, vnder the earth) insomuch as diuerse [29]errors haue beene committed in laying foorth such for dead, which haue afterwards beene found to haue life in them, and haue risen vp in their burials, whereupon there haue beene lawes enacted, as [30]_Mercurialis_ reporteth, that no woman which was subiect to this disease should be buried vntil she had beene three dayes dead. Or as [31]_Alexander Benedictus_ of _Bolonia_ sayth 72. houres, which commeth to the same reckoning. [32]_Petrus Bayrus_ setteth downe diuerse reasons why they should not be buried before three dayes bee ended, besides the experience of some (as hee saith) that haue beene found aliue in their graues after they had beene buried. I will refer the reader for the reasons to the author himself, and to [33]_Forrestus_ in his obseruations. [34]_Plinie_ maketh mention out of _Heraclides_, of a woman who for seuen dayes together lay for dead in a fit of the mother, and was restored againe to life: which (saieth [35]_Marcellus Donatus_) is not to be thought a fabulous tale, seeing it is not repugnant to the rules of Philosophie and Phisicke. And [36]_Galen_ making mention of the verie same hystorie vnder the name of _Apnæa_, discourseth of the reasons of it.

[27] _Gal. loc. affect. 6.c 5. pulsum vix perceptibilem habent &c
Item de composit. pharmac. s.l. lib. 9. in finit._

[28] _Antho. Guaynerius. cap. de suffoc. matricĩs. Albert.
Bottonus loco infra citato. Gal. loco citato. Altomarus loco
citato._

[29] _Ambros. paræus li. 24.c. 10_

[30] _De morbis muliebr: lib. 4. cap. 22. Iacobus Syluius de
mensibus mulierum._

[31] _De morbis medicandis. lib. 10. cap. 10._

[32] _Practica lib. 2. cap. 17._

[33] _Lib. 10. obser. 79. in scholiis._

[34] _Histor. nat. lib. 7. cap. 52._

[35] _De medica hysteria mirabili. lib. 4. ca. 11_

[36] _6. Locorum affect. cap. 5._

[37]_Rabbi Moses_ an ancient Author in Physicke, reporteth also of a woman, that in the fitte of the mother, did lie six dayes without sense and motion, her Arteries being waxt hard, and she readie to be buried, and yet recouered.

[38]_Bottonus_ a late professor of Physicke in Padua, reporteth of a woman that beeing giuen ouer for dead in a fit of the Mother, was by such conclusions as he tried, discouered to be yet aliue, and recouered her former health againe by such remedies as he prescribed.

[39]_Forestus_ of _Alkmar_ in north _Holland_, but lately dead, setteth downe the like example of another, that lay in that maner 24. houres, and was by him restored to health againe.

[37] _Ioh. Schinckius refert ex pictorio. obseruat. med. lib 4.
cap. 288._

[38] _De morbis muliebribus cap. 43._

[39] _Obseru. li. 10. in scholiis ad obseruat. 79. Iacobus Ruffius
testatur se plures huius mod. vidiss. muliebr. lib. 6. cap. 8._

[Sidenote: _De hominis generat. cap. 46._]

The like also he citeth out of _Leouellus_, in that place, of one that lay with her eyes shut, and dumb a whole day, and by conuenient remedies was deliuered from her fit, and could rehearse all that was done about her in the time of her fit. But the most pitifull example of all other in this kinde, is that which _Ambrose Paræe_ reporteth of _Vesalius_ a worthie Physition, & for anatomicall dissections much renowned, who being called to the opening of a Gentlewoman in Spaine, which was thought to be dead through the violence of one of these fits, began to open her, and at the second cut of the knife she cried out, and stirred her limbes, shewing manifest signes of life to remaine. The beholders were exceedingly amazed at the sight, and blamed the Physition much for it: who though hee tooke her for dead, yet tooke he great apprehension of sorrow for that accident, that he estranged himselfe. After through griefe and remorse of conscience for his error, pretended (as others say) a pilgrimage for the absenting of himselfe, and therein died. Many more examples to this end could I produce out of _Authenticall_ writers, and late experiences, if it were free for mee to mention them: but these may suffice to shew how wonderfully the vitall facultie is ouerthrowne in this disease, and withall respiration, sense, motion, and all the functions of the bodie by reason of this.

_Cap._ 4.

_Of that kind of this disease wherein the animall facultie is
offended._

The second kind of this disease is, where the animall facultie doth principally suffer; and it is that faculty whereby we do vnderstand, iudge, and remember things that are profitable or hurtfull vnto vs, whereby also we haue sense and do feele the qualities of things, and moue to and fro, & performe diuers other voluntary actions for the cõmoditie of the bodie. For nature had made vs but base creatures, if she had giuen vs onely the vitall facultie barely to liue, and the naturall to grow, and to supply the expence that is daily made of naturall moisture: If she had not withall giuen vs knowledg and vnderstanding of such things as we are subiect vnto, and abilitie to moue our bodies at our pleasure, to apprehend that which is profitable & to shun that which is offensiue, &c. And therefore as a facultie making most for the dignitie and vse of man, it is placed principally in the braine; from whence it disperseth his beames of influence into euery part of the bodie, according to the seuerall vses and necessitie of each part.

[Sidenote: _De motu musculorum lib. 2. cap. 7. 8._]

[Sidenote: _De ciuitate Dei lib. 4: Cosmoscrit. lib. 1. pag. 156._]

[Sidenote: _Medici parisienses in historia Martha. Brossier._

1. Sam. 21. 13. _Gal. lib quomodo deprehendũtur qui agrotare se fingunt. cap. 1._]

[Sidenote: _Epidemiorum 5. R. Scot. lib. 7: cap. 1._]

[Sidenote: _Lib: 16. cap. 4._]

This animall facultie hath this peculiar difference from the vitall and naturall faculties, that the functions of it are subiect vnto our wil, & may be intẽded remitted, or peruerted at our pleasure, otherwise thẽ in other faculties: For no man can make his pulse to beate as he list, or alter the naturall functions at his will and pleasure. But these animal functions may be abused both by our owne will, and by the violence of some disease, and by both, as _Galen_ testifieth, _lib. 2. de Symptomatum causis cap. 12_. That it may be abused by our owne will, he proueth also in another place, where he bringeth an instance of a seruant (_serui barbari_) who killed himselfe to anger his maister by holding of his breath. S. _Augustine_ saith that he knew a man that could make himselfe to sweate when he list, by his imagination only. _Cornelius Gemma_ saith, that he knew one that could weepe when he list: others that could make their bodies stiffe like an image, imitate the voyces of all kinde of creatures, raise a hickocke, and breake wind as often and in what manner they would. And S. _Augustine_ tels of one that would make a kinde of musicke that way. _Adrian Turnebus_ saw a rogue that gayned much money by shewing this feate, we do also daily see that some can counterfait madnes, some drunkennesse, some the falling sicknesse, some palsies and trembling, some can play the fooles and supply the roomes of innocents, some can make noyses & speake in their bellies or throates, as those which _Hyppocrates_ calleth _Eugastrimuthoi ventriloqui_, such as was the holy maid of Kent, and _Mildred_ of westwall, &c. And it is strange to see how young bodies will be bowed and writhed diuersly, as wee see in tumblers iuglers, and such like companions. Hereupon diuers haue counterfaited diseases as I once saw a poor fellow being arested for a smal debt coũterfaited a fit of the falling sicknes, with strange and violent motions: whereby the creditor in compassion was moued to release him. Being released he was well againe, and vnto his friendes seemed to confesse the cousonage: others haue counterfaited possessions, either vpon meere deceit or inticed therto through the conceite of some disease wherewith they haue beene troubled. But for this point I referre you to the histories of _Agnes Brigs_, _Rachel Pinder_, _Martha Brossier_, &c. _Ren. Scot_ tels of one that being blind, deafe, and dumbe, could reade any canonicall Scripture, but no Apocripha: But was discouered by inserting a leafe of Apocrapha: among the canonicall. Another faining her selfe to be possessed with a diuell, would answere to any question made in English, but vnderstood no latine. Diuers such like examples might bee procured to shew how the animall functions may be abused by our owne will. But against our willes this faculty doth suffer by consent in the suffocation of the Mother diuersly according to the varietie of offices or functions which it performeth.

[Sidenote: _Hebetudo mentis._]

[Sidenote: _Imprudentia obliuio._]

[Sidenote: _Sopor._]

[Sidenote: _Apoplexiæ._ _Epilepsia._]

[Sidenote: _Catalepsis._]

The functions of it are three, the first is called _Internall_ and principall sence which doth gouerne and direct all the rest by _Imagination_, _Reason_ and _Memory_: which if it bee hurt either by imminution or deprauation or total abolishment, then the inferior functions doe necessarily participate with the offence. They are hurt by Imminution when a man doth not _Conceiue_, _Iudge_, or remember so well as hee ought to doe, as in dulnesse or blockishnesse,[40] as wee call it in vndiscretion, foolishnes or want of iudgement, in obliuion or forgetfulnes, &c. They are abolished either in those drowsie affects which wee call _Caros_, _Coma_, _veternus_, _Lethargus_ &c. or in those astonishing _Symptoms_ wherein all the animall faculties are at once taken away, sometimes with a generall resolution or palsie, as in _Apoplexies_: sometimes with a generall conuulsion, as in the falling sicknes: sometimes with a _Stifnesse or congelation_ of the body, wherein they lie like an image in the same forme they were taken.

[40] _Hypp. de morbis muliebr. lib 1 et 2. Torpor occupat caput
mẽs percellitur et improba fit non facile intelligit. De virginum
morbis cor fatuum fit, ex fatuitate torpor._

_Gal. loc. affect. 6. 5. De composit. pharm. s. L. lib. 9. in fine_

_Rhasis continẽt 22. Egineta. li. 3. ca. 71._
_Ætius tetr. 4._
_Serr21 4. cap. 68. paschalius lib. 1: cap. 58._
_Valescus de Taran. Iacobus Syluius Altomam. Augeni. Aui. Fen. 21.
3. cap. 16. tract. 4: Idem._
_Petr. salius de catelepsi. pag. 384._