But having
already spoken of conception, I think it now necessary to show how such
as have conceived ought to order themselves during their pregnancy, that
they may avoid those inconveniences, which often endanger the life of
the child and many times their own.
A woman, after conception, during the time of her being with child,
ought to be looked upon as indisposed or sick, though in good health;
for child bearing is a kind of nine months' sickness, being all that
time in expectation of many inconveniences which such a condition
usually causes to those that are not well governed during that time; and
therefore, ought to resemble a good pilot, who, when sailing on a rough
sea and full of rocks, avoids and shuns the danger, if he steers with
prudence, but if not, it is a thousand to one but he suffers shipwreck.
In like manner, a woman with child is often in danger of miscarrying and
losing her life, if she is not very careful to prevent those accidents
to which she is subject all the time of her pregnancy. All which time
her care must be double, first of herself, and secondly of the child
she goes with for otherwise, a single error may produce a double
mischief; for if she receives a prejudice, the child also suffers with
her. Let a woman, therefore, after conception, observe a good diet,
suitable to her temperament, custom, condition and quality; and if she
can, let the air where she ordinarily dwells be clear and well tempered,
and free from extremes, either of heat or cold; for being too hot, it
dissipateth the spirits too much and causes many weaknesses; and by
being too cold and foggy, it may bring down rheums and distillations on
the lungs, and so cause her to cough, which, by its impetuous motion,
forcing downwards, may make her miscarry.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181