NOW because this _Affection_ observes _Lunar Periods_, and in extreme Cases, is near a-kin to the _Falling-Sickness_;[71] _Cœlius Aurelianus_ informs us, That it was call’d by the _Ancients_ the _little Epilepsy_: And as it admits of _periodical Accessions_ and _Circulations_ (I mean coming and going _Fits_) which depend chiefly upon the Power and Influence of the _New_ and _Full-Moon_; so it is to be treated with respect to _Cure_, in a different manner; one way in the _Access_, another in the _Interval_.
BUT this _Cure_ is as different, as the Causes and Degrees of the _Distemper_ are various; wherefore I can, by no means, enter upon it in this place, for Brevity-sake.
CHAP. XIII. _Of the SYMPTOMS of the middle Three Months._
THE FOETUS having receiv’d a distinct FORM, constituted of various _Organical Members_, and produced of divers _substantial Matters_, takes a various _Situation_; the different _Members_ possessing different _Places_, according to the _Institution of NATURE_.
AFTER an absolute and compleat _Conformation_ of ORGANS, the rational _Soul_ is infus’d and adapted; which is the ultimate Perfection of the _Human_ FOETUS: By which it becomes MAN and receives _Life_, living and subsisting henceforward by its own vivacious _Faculties_, distinct from those of the MOTHER. Now the Great and All-wise CREATOR undoubtedly is the only _Supream_, _Efficient_, and Immediate _Author_ and _Finisher_ of this noble _Work_; which, according to the nicest _Calculation_ of the greatest _Masters_ of _Nature_, is most commonly accomplished about the _Beginning_ of these _Middle Months_: At which time, the usual _Turn of Nature_ necessarily occasions different _Effects_ to the _Child-bearing Woman_; which are call’d _SYMPTOMS_ of the _Middle Months_.
AND these _SYMPTOMS_, in short, I reduce to the following _Seven_ in Number; _viz._ 1. _Coughs_; 2. _Palpitations_ or _Heart-Beatings_; 3. _Swoonings_ or _Syncopes_; 4. _Watchings_; 5. _Pains_ in the _Hips_ and _Loins_; 6. _Hemorrhages_ or _Bleedings_; and, 7. _Fluxes_ of _Blood_. Of which, in their due Order.
COUGHS are either _Humid_ or _Siccid_: They are call’d _Humid_, when the _Humours_ contain’d in the _Aspera Arteria_, of whatsoever Nature, are expell’d by its own Force thro’ the _Mouth_. And _Siccid_, or dry COUGHS, when, notwithstanding great Pains and Trouble, nothing is _excreted_, only the whole Body fatigued by a continual irritated Endeavour to _Cough_ and _spit-out_; whence arise Pains of the _Head_, _Hypochondriacks_, and other Parts.