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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.Maubray, John

Science

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.

Name: 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.
Author: Maubray, John

Maubray, John

Midwifery -- Early works to 1800; Obstetrics -- Early works to 1800

WE find the _Reality_ of it has been abundantly confirm’d by the
_Greeks_, as it was discover’d by the _Arabians_ of old: And the
_Gentiles_, for that very Reason, call’d their _Nuptial God_, HYMENEUS.
But, moreover, being since so positively asserted, by so many _famous_
and _learned Men_, who openly vouch and aver that they have found and
seen it; I do not see why we should longer doubt of this _Membrane’s_
being to be found in _Most_, if not in _All_, _VIRGINS_, to distinguish
them from the rest of their _Sex_: Especially since ’tis certain, that
something _extraordinary_ happens in the first COITION, which made
_Terentius_ call it, _Coitio Acerrima_. Upon which Notion, _Catullus’s_
Verses are very elegant and _à propos_: viz.

           _“Ut flos in Septis secretus nascitur hortis,
           “Ignotus pecori, nullo contusus Aratro;
           “Quem mulcent Auræ, firmat Sol, educat Imber,
           “Multi illum Pueri, multæ optavêre Puellæ:
           “Idem cùm tenui carptus defloruit ungui,
           “Nulli illum Pueri, nullæ optavêre Puellæ.
           “Sic Virgo dum intacta manet, tum chara suis; sed
           “Cùm Castum amisit polluto Corpore florem,
           “Nec Pueris jucunda manet, nec grata Puellis._

This I take to be a notable _Emblem_ both of the _HYMEN_ and of
_VIRGINITY_ itself.

OTHERS again affirm, that the _Effusion of Blood_, in the first ACT, is
common to all _VIRGINS_; founded upon the _Authority_ of the 22d Chap.
of _Deut_. &c: By which ’tis plain, that _this Criterion_ or _Mark_, has
been of the nicest _Consequence_ among the JEWS; as also in several
other _Nations_: according to _Claudianus_ in the _Epithalamium_ of
_Honorius_, viz.—

                  _“Et vestes Tyrio Sanguine fulgidas
                  “Alter Virgineus nobilitet Cruor:
                  “Tum Victor madido prosiliat Thoro,
                  “Nocturni referens vulnera prælii._

In short, many _Philosophers_, as well as _Poets_, hold _This_ for an
infallible Symptom.

HOWEVER, tho’ I must confess _This_ to be a certain _Sign_ of
_VIRGINITY_, when it does appear; yet, if it don’t, the _VIRGIN_ is not
therefore to be _suspected_: especially if she be more _adult_, in which
Case the _Parts_ grow both larger and firmer, by the long _Flux_ of the
_Menstrua_; and consequently this _Effusion_ cannot well be expected;
neither can it be supposed in case of any violent _Procatarctick_ or
_Primary Cause_ (and from _That_ she can be no more _secure_, than
another Person) which may break the HYMEN, and dilate the _Parts_ before
COITION. But besides,

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