WHICH last _Case_ happens most commonly, and especially at the Time of _New_ and _Full-Moon_. Now this LOATHING may be _thus_ distinguished: To wit; if it rises from _bilous_ or _cholerick Humours_, the WOMAN feels a gnawing or biting of the _Ventricle_, and is afflicted with a frequent _great Thirst_: If from _putrid Humours_, she is (at several Times) _feverishly inclined_: And if from _moderate gross Humours_, the only SIGN is a _frequent Spitting_. THIS _Symptom_ ceases (of itself) in due Progress of Time: For as the FOETUS (which as yet is only _sustain’d_ by the better and nobler Part of the BLOOD) grows _bigger_, it requires the _larger Quantity_, and at last the WHOLE of the _Menstruous_ BLOOD for its _Sustenance_; at which Time also the accumulated _Humours_ likewise are lodg’d in their proper Place: _Both_ which _Causes_ being thus remov’d, the _Effect_ ceases of course by degrees. However it is prudent, to prevent this _Evil_, from the beginning of Conception, by proper _Medicines_; but otherways (whenever it happens) unless the FOETUS be endanger’d for want of sufficient Aliment, Time and Patience are the fitted _Remedies_. [Illustration] CHAP. VII. _Of the PICA or LONGING._ WOMEN subject to this SYMPTOM, are indeed desirous of _Meat_ and _Drink_; yet commonly of _such_, as is not only _disagreeable_, but also _offensive_ and _prejudicial_ to NATURE. THE violent _Excess_ of this _vicious_ or _degenerate Appetite_ is wonderful; as frequently appears by many _unnatural Instances_, which I shall forbear mentioning in this Place, for fear of ill Consequences; so that I can only recommend the _Curious_ to the[59]_Authorities_ of the MARGIN. THE _Cause_ of this _SYMPTOM_ proceeds from the various _Humours_ of deprav’d _Qualities_, inherent in the _Tunicks_ of the _STOMACH_, vitiating the _Ferment_ of the _VENTRICLE_; and so affecting the _Orifice_, that it becomes the very _Seat_ and _Source_ of this _Evil_: from whence arises the _Variety_ of the _Humours_, exciting a strange and uncommon _Variety_ of APPETITE. THE _Nature_ and _Quality_ of these _HUMOURS_, have occasion’d many learned _Disputes_, which yet remain undecided. But tho’ _Platerus_ takes upon himself to call them _Malignant_ and _Poisonous_, yet it is the _Opinion_ of many _learned Men_, and as excellent _Authors_, that _They_ are not to be justly accounted for, any farther than that they are of an _occult perverse Quality_, generated in the _STOMACH_, from irregular _Diet_, improper _Food_, and bad _Concoction_, attended with an _erroneous Regimen_ in other Cases. THIS _Symptom_ begins commonly about the 40th _Day_ from _Conception_, and continues to the 4th _Month_: Against which time, part of the _vitious Humours_ are excreted or thrown up by _Vomiting_, and the Remainder (by degrees) imbib’d by the _growing Infant_; which _Humours_ being so consum’d, the _Distemper_ ceases of Course.