NOTE: - 52 -

...the order of the monthly flow; B. pregnancy; C. childbirth; and D. [lit. C.] suckling the child. 154. The signs of illness in women’s monthly flow are these: A. when no blood comes at all; B. when the blood that has come is cut off; C. when she sees the moon [i.e., menstruates] with difficulty and contrary to the customary order; D. when the flow of blood is excessive. 155. Generally, women begin to see the moon at fourteen years of age; but there are also those in whom light does not dawn [i.e., menstruation does not appear] until sixteen years. If, though not seeing the moon, they feel no sign of sickness, and on the contrary are rather healthy, stout, and cheerful, at that time it is not necessary to administer medicine. 156. When the time arrives for a girl to see the moon for the first time, at fourteen years of age, or more or less, and these signs appear upon her—as for example, heaviness in the whole body, and from time to time heat and headache; the breasts become full and ferment [i.e., throb/swell], the nipple of the breast swells a little, and the back aches; the generative organ ferments on the outside and at times itches; the groins ache and break out, and the knees buckle under her as if severely fatigued—at this time light means and medicines must be employed, provided only that some sign of seeing the moon, more or less, truly dawns. 157. When the monthly flow is delayed of itself with the signs written above, nature must immediately be assisted by using these medicines for seven or eight days: A. Take a sufficient amount of hay-sweepings [or: stalks], pour boiling water over it, and thus every evening apply steam to the secret parts, either standing or sitting; or instead of this, steep the feet and legs in hot water up to the knees; or...

... naturally have the custom of seeing blood in every moon [cycle]. This blood hath diverse names, for instance: Monthly Flux, Menses, Order of the Female Root, Moon, Monthly Order, and Visitation.* Experience hath confirmed that in hot climes they enter into their courses far earlier, and it even cometh to pass that seven-year-old maidens likewise enter into their courses.