CHAPTER VIII.

_Of Medicines appropriated to the womb._


These, physicians call _Hystericals_, and to avoid multiplicity of
words, take them in this discourse under that notion.

Take notice that such medicines as provoke the menses, or stop them
when they flow immoderately, are properly hystericals, but shall be
spoken to by and by in a chapter by themselves.

As for the nature of the womb, it seems to be much like the nature of
the brain and stomach, for experience teacheth that it is delighted
with sweet and aromatical medicines, and flies from their contraries.

For example: a woman being troubled with the fits of the mother, which
is drawing of the womb upward, apply sweet things, as Civet, or the
like, to the place of conception, it draws it down again; but apply
stinking things to the nose, as Assafœtida, or the like, it expels it
from it, and sends it down to its proper place.