The English Physician Enlarged

Early manuscript note referencing menstrual health. A scarce early edition of Culpeper's herbal with an unusual manuscript note repeated in mirror-writing on the rear endpaper that reads: 'woman's courses to stop or provoke, ekovorp ro pots sesrouc snamow', and with dog-eared pages corresponding to menstrual-related portions of the printed text. Scarce. ESTC records only 6 copies in institutional collections, 5 in the British Isles (BL, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Welcome Institute, Bodleian Library, and Reading University) and in North America at the Yale School of Medicine.

In the Galenic paradigm that dominated medical thought during the medieval and early modern period, ailments were caused by imbalances of the four humours. It was thought that the uterus could become 'strangled' or 'suffocated', a condition in which excess humours were not dispelled through menstruation, and which could affect both fertility and the woman's overall health. Hundreds of substances were believed to provoke menstruation, and some could also be taken to expel the placenta or a dead fetus, or to cause an abortion, though this was generally discussed as a contraindication by male medical authors. Other substances could be used to stop the menses in cases of long or heavy periods (van de Walle, 'Flowers and Fruits: Two Thousand Years of Menstrual Regulation', Journal of Interdisciplinary History, autumn 1997).

There was certainly great interest in regulating menstruation and reproductive health among both women and male physicians, as indicated by the use of this copy. The manuscript line on women's courses on the rear endpaper precisely matches a line from the index on the facing page, which directs the reader to a list of 26 pages relevant to 'stopping the terms' and 29 for 'provoking' them. A number of leaves of the text have been dog-eared, some corresponding to information on menstrual afflictions. For instance, the marked page on nettle describes a decoction of the leaves in wine as 'singular good to provoke Women's courses, and settle the Suffocation, strangling of the Mother, and all other Diseases thereof; as also applied outwardly with a little Myrrh' (p. 231). Darnel (a toxic mimic of wheat) 'stayeth... women's bodily issues' and mustard 'is of good effect to bring down women's courses'. Hops 'bringeth down women's courses', and horehound on the following page 'is given to women to bring down their courses' (these marked by an extra-large flap, perhaps to indicate multiple relevant pages). Some leaves that show evidence of old folds are also connected to women's health: alkanet (a type of borage) 'draws forth the dead child'.

While a former owner clearly saw this as a significant, practical medical topic, the purpose of the mirror-writing is still unclear. Was it simply an activity to while away a few moments, or did it have deeper, perhaps spiritual or esoteric, meaning for someone struggling with their health or that of a loved one?

12mo (17 x 10.5 cm); ownership inscription in pen to the front pastedown, manuscript note in pen to rear free endpaper recto, a few manuscript annotations in pen to the last few leaves of text, page folds, slight dampstaining to upper gutter margin of title and prelims, lacking front free endpaper; contemporary sheep, ruled in blind, rubbed with loss of leather from portions of the spine and edges; [16], 386, [10]pp.

ESTC T136622.