SOMETIMES again, the _WOMB_, the _Belly_, and the _Feet_ swell much after the _BIRTH_; which _SYMPTOMS_ commonly proceed from some _Cold_, or from _drinking too much_, or from either a _Suppression_ or _Diminution_ of the _LOCHIA_, or from any _irregular way of Living_ during the time of _GESTATION_: By which means the vitious _HUMOURS_, resolving themselves into _Flatulencies_, swell and puff up both the _WOMB_ and the _ABDOMEN_; and these _Winds_ descending, have the same Effect upon the _Legs_. But the _Cure_, however, of all such _SYMPTOMS_, is readily accomplished by convenient _DIET_, proper _Fomentations_, and discutient _Medicines_. HENCE I might orderly descend to an _Indefinity_ of Particulars, deriving from the following general _Heads_, which I Shall only name at this time; _viz._ the various _Diseases_ of the _PUDENDUM_ and _Vagina_, as well as of the _MATRIX_ itself, together with their _co-incident SYMPTOMS_; as also the divers _Distempers_, and different _SYMPTOMS_ of the _Woman’s BREASTS_. But _These Subjects_ being as different as numerous (which I have already hinted) I must refer them to another Opportunity; being resolved to keep the present Work, for the common Good, within the _Purchase_ of all sorts of People as far as possible; and until such time as something on _these Heads_ appears more judicious or elaborate, either from _my own_, or some more _capable Hand_, I hope _English Women_ can be at no great Loss for good _Instruction_, or ready _Assistance_; especially not in this famous _City_ of LONDON, which is, by the Divine Mercy, abundantly well-stock’d, and singularly well provided, with some of the most excellent _Physicians_ of the Age, as well as with some very ingenious _Practisers_ in the Art of _MIDWIFERY_. AND, thus, in fine, having _piloted_ the good _Woman_ (as it were) thro’ the _three Gulphs_ of _GESTATION_; _BIRTH_, and _CHILD-BED_, and at last brought her into safe _Harbour_; we may now (I hope) securely leave her there, to _refit_ for the same prosperous _Voyage_ again; whilst we, in the next Place, undertake to provide for the _Safety_ of her _CARGO_, or direct the _Regimen_ and _Nursing_ of the _CHILD_. And FIRST— [Illustration] CHAP. VII. _Of the Constriction of the NAVEL-STRING, and the Swaddling of the Infant_. IF after the _Torrents_ of Difficulties and _Oceans_ of Danger that the MOTHER has painfully gone through, and narrowly evaded, the CHILD should at last be lost; the _Comfort_ of her _Burden_ would be but small, and the _Reward_ of her _Sufferings_ but very little: Wherefore special _Care_ ought to be taken to prevent such melancholy _Events_; in order to which, we are not only to remedy such _Indispositions_ as it (too often) brings with it into the World, but also to defend it from the many periculous _Contingencies_, to which the _Tenderness_ of its Body, and the _Debility_ of its Age expose it.