The Works of Aristotle the Famous Philosopher: Containing his Complete Masterpiece and Family Physician; his Experienced Midwife, his Book of Problems and his Remarks on Physiognomy — Aristotle — John Shaqi
The Works of Aristotle the Famous Philosopher: Containing his Complete Masterpiece and Family Physician; his Experienced Midwife, his Book of Problems and his Remarks on Physiognomy
Aristotle · en
As soon as a woman knows, or has reason to believe, that she has
conceived, she ought to abstain from all violent motions and exercise;
whether she walks afoot, or rides on horseback or in a coach, it ought
to be very gently. Let her also abstain from Venery (for which, after
conception, she has usually no great inclination), lest there be a mole
or superfoetation, which is the adding of one embryo to another. Let her
beware not to lift her arms too high, nor carry great burdens, nor
repose herself on hard and uneasy seats. Let her use moderately good,
juicy meat and easy of digestion, and let her wines be neither too
strong nor too sharp, but a little mingled with water; or if she be very
abstemious, she may use water wherein cinnamon has been boiled. Let her
avoid fastings, thirst, watchings, mourning, sadness, anger, and all
other perturbations of the mind. Let no one present any strange or
unwholesome thing to her, nor so much as name it, lest she should desire
it and not be able to get it, and so either cause her to miscarry, or
the child to have some deformity on that account. Let her belly be kept
loose with prunes, raisins or manna in her broth, and let her use the
following electuary, to strengthen the womb and the child--
"Take conserve of borage, buglos and roses, each two ounces; an ounce of
balm; an ounce each of citron peel and shreds, candied mirobalans, an
ounce each; extract of wood aloes a scruple; prepared pearl, half a
drachm; red coral and ivory, of each a drachm; precious stones each a
scruple; candied nutmegs, two drachms, and with syrup of apples and
quinces make an electuary."
_Let her observe the following rules._
"Take pearls prepared, a drachm; red coral and ivory prepared, each half
a drachm, precious stones, each a scruple; yellow citron peel, mace,
cinnamon, cloves, each half a drachm; saffron, a scruple; wood aloes,
half a scruple; ambergris, six drachms; and with six ounces of sugar
dissolved in rosewater make rolls." Let her also apply strengtheners of
nutmeg, mace and mastich made up in bags, to the navel, or a toast
dipped in malmsey, or sprinkled with powdered mint. If she happens to
desire clay, chalk, or coals (as many women with child do), give her
beans boiled with sugar, and if she happens to long for anything that
she cannot obtain, let her presently drink a large draught of pure cold
water.
_Rules for the Third Month._