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The works of Aristotle, the famous philosopher. In four parts. Part first. His complete master-piece, in two books. The first book displays the secrets of nature in the generation of man and the second book treats of the maladies incident to females, with
Complete Edition, With Engravings and Linked Table of Contents.
An excerpt from the chapters:
THE MIDWIFE'S VADE-MECUM
THE MASTERPIECE
On marriage and at what age young men and virgins are capable of it: and why so much desire it. Also, how long men and women are capable of it.
CHAPTER II
How to beget a male or female child; and of the Embryo and perfect Birth; and the fittest time for the copula.
CHAPTER III
The reason why children are like their parents; and that the Mother's imagination contributes thereto; and whether the man or the woman is the cause of the male or female child.
CHAPTER IV
That Man's Soul is not propagated by their parents, but is infused by its Creator, and can neither die nor corrupt. At what time it is infused. Of its immortality and certainty of its resurrection.
CHAPTER V
Of Monsters and Monstrous Births; and the several reasons thereof, according to the opinions of the Ancients. Also, whether the Monsters are endowed with reasonable Souls; and whether the Devils can engender; is here briefly discussed.
CHAPTER VI
Of the happy state of matrimony, as it is appointed by God, the true felicity that rebounds thereby to either sex; and to what end it is ordained.
CHAPTER VII
Of Errors in Marriages; Why they are, and the Injuries caused by them.
CHAPTER VIII
The Opinion of the Learned concerning Children conceived and born within Seven Months; with Arguments upon the Subject to prevent Suspicion of Incontinency, and bitter Contest on that Account. To which are added Rules to Know the Disposition of Man's Body by the Genital Parts.
CHAPTER IX
Of the Green-Sickness in Virgins, with its causes, signs and cures; together with the chief occasions of Barrenness in Women, and the Means to remove the Cause, and render them fruitful.
CHAPTER X
Virginity, what it is, in what it consists, and how vitiated; together with the Opinions of the Learned about the Change of Sex in the Womb, during the Operation of Nature in forming the Body.
CHAPTER XI
Directions and Cautions for Midwives; and, first, what ought to be the qualifications of a midwife.
CHAPTER XII
Further Directions to Midwives, teaching them what they ought to do, and what to avoid.
CHAPTER XIII
The External, and Internal Organs of Generation in Women.
CHAPTER XIV
A description of the Fabric of the Womb, the preparing Vessels and Testicles in Women. Also of the Different and Ejaculatory Vessels.
CHAPTER XV
A Description of the Use and Action of the several Generative Parts in Women.
CHAPTER XVI
Of the Organs of Generation in Man.
CHAPTER XVII
A word of Advice to both Sexes, consisting of several Directions with regard to Copulation.
A PRIVATE LOOKING GLASS FOR THE FEMALE SEX
CHAPTER I
Treating of the several Maladies incident to the womb, with proper remedies for the cure of each.
CHAPTER II
Of the Retention of the Courses.
CHAPTER III
Of Excessive Menstruation.
CHAPTER IV
Of the Weeping of the Womb.
CHAPTER V
The false Courses, or Whites.
CHAPTER VI
The Suffocation of the Mother.
CHAPTER VII
Of the Descending or Falling of the Womb.
CHAPTER VIII
Of the Inflammation of the Womb.
CHAPTER IX
Of Scirrhous Tumours, or Hardness of the Womb.
CHAPTER X
Of Dropsy of the Womb.
CHAPTER XI
Of Moles and False Conceptions.
CHAPTER XII
Of Conception and its Signs, and How a Woman may know whether it be Male or Female.
CHAPTER XIII
Of Untimely Births.
CHAPTER XIV
Directions for Pregnant Women.
CHAPTER XV
Directions for Women when they are taken in Labour, to ensure their safe Delivery, and Directions for Midwives.
CHAPTER XVI
What ought to be done in cases of extremity, especially in women who, in labour, are attacked by a flux of blood, convulsions and fits of wind.
CHAPTER XVII
How child-bearing Women ought to be ordered after Delivery.
CHAPTER XVIII
Acute Pains after Delivery.
ARISTOTLE'S BOOK OF PROBLEMS
Of the Eyes
Of the Nose
Of the Ears
Of the Mouth
Of the Teeth...
An excerpt from the chapters:
THE MIDWIFE'S VADE-MECUM
THE MASTERPIECE
On marriage and at what age young men and virgins are capable of it: and why so much desire it. Also, how long men and women are capable of it.
CHAPTER II
How to beget a male or female child; and of the Embryo and perfect Birth; and the fittest time for the copula.
CHAPTER III
The reason why children are like their parents; and that the Mother's imagination contributes thereto; and whether the man or the woman is the cause of the male or female child.
CHAPTER IV
That Man's Soul is not propagated by their parents, but is infused by its Creator, and can neither die nor corrupt. At what time it is infused. Of its immortality and certainty of its resurrection.
CHAPTER V
Of Monsters and Monstrous Births; and the several reasons thereof, according to the opinions of the Ancients. Also, whether the Monsters are endowed with reasonable Souls; and whether the Devils can engender; is here briefly discussed.
CHAPTER VI
Of the happy state of matrimony, as it is appointed by God, the true felicity that rebounds thereby to either sex; and to what end it is ordained.
CHAPTER VII
Of Errors in Marriages; Why they are, and the Injuries caused by them.
CHAPTER VIII
The Opinion of the Learned concerning Children conceived and born within Seven Months; with Arguments upon the Subject to prevent Suspicion of Incontinency, and bitter Contest on that Account. To which are added Rules to Know the Disposition of Man's Body by the Genital Parts.
CHAPTER IX
Of the Green-Sickness in Virgins, with its causes, signs and cures; together with the chief occasions of Barrenness in Women, and the Means to remove the Cause, and render them fruitful.
CHAPTER X
Virginity, what it is, in what it consists, and how vitiated; together with the Opinions of the Learned about the Change of Sex in the Womb, during the Operation of Nature in forming the Body.
CHAPTER XI
Directions and Cautions for Midwives; and, first, what ought to be the qualifications of a midwife.
CHAPTER XII
Further Directions to Midwives, teaching them what they ought to do, and what to avoid.
CHAPTER XIII
The External, and Internal Organs of Generation in Women.
CHAPTER XIV
A description of the Fabric of the Womb, the preparing Vessels and Testicles in Women. Also of the Different and Ejaculatory Vessels.
CHAPTER XV
A Description of the Use and Action of the several Generative Parts in Women.
CHAPTER XVI
Of the Organs of Generation in Man.
CHAPTER XVII
A word of Advice to both Sexes, consisting of several Directions with regard to Copulation.
A PRIVATE LOOKING GLASS FOR THE FEMALE SEX
CHAPTER I
Treating of the several Maladies incident to the womb, with proper remedies for the cure of each.
CHAPTER II
Of the Retention of the Courses.
CHAPTER III
Of Excessive Menstruation.
CHAPTER IV
Of the Weeping of the Womb.
CHAPTER V
The false Courses, or Whites.
CHAPTER VI
The Suffocation of the Mother.
CHAPTER VII
Of the Descending or Falling of the Womb.
CHAPTER VIII
Of the Inflammation of the Womb.
CHAPTER IX
Of Scirrhous Tumours, or Hardness of the Womb.
CHAPTER X
Of Dropsy of the Womb.
CHAPTER XI
Of Moles and False Conceptions.
CHAPTER XII
Of Conception and its Signs, and How a Woman may know whether it be Male or Female.
CHAPTER XIII
Of Untimely Births.
CHAPTER XIV
Directions for Pregnant Women.
CHAPTER XV
Directions for Women when they are taken in Labour, to ensure their safe Delivery, and Directions for Midwives.
CHAPTER XVI
What ought to be done in cases of extremity, especially in women who, in labour, are attacked by a flux of blood, convulsions and fits of wind.
CHAPTER XVII
How child-bearing Women ought to be ordered after Delivery.
CHAPTER XVIII
Acute Pains after Delivery.
ARISTOTLE'S BOOK OF PROBLEMS
Of the Eyes
Of the Nose
Of the Ears
Of the Mouth
Of the Teeth...
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First published January 1, 1684
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About the author
Pseudo-Aristotle
35 books3 followers"Pseudo-Aristotle is a general cognomen for authors of philosophical or medical treatises who attributed their work to the Greek philosopher Aristotle, or whose work was later attributed to him by others. Such falsely attributed works are known as pseudepigrapha.
The first Pseudo-Aristotelian works were produced by the members of the Peripatetic school which was founded by Aristotle. However, many more works were written much later, during the Middle Ages. Because Aristotle had produced so many works on such a variety of subjects it was possible for writers in many different contexts—notably medieval Europeans, North Africans and Arabs—to write a work and ascribe it to Aristotle. Attaching his name to such a work guaranteed it a certain amount of respect and acceptance, since Aristotle was regarded as one of most authoritative ancient writers for the learned men of both Christian Europe and the Muslim Arab lands. It is generally not clear whether the attribution to Aristotle of a later work was done by its own author or by others who sought to popularize such works by using his name.
In the Middle Ages more than a hundred Pseudo-Aristotelian works were in circulation. These can be separated in three groups based on the original language used for the work, namely Latin, Greek or Arabic. The category of Latin works is the smallest while the Arabic works are most numerous. Many Arabic works were translated to Latin in the Middle Ages. The majority of these cover occult subjects such as alchemy, astrology, chiromancy and physiognomy. Others treated Greek philosophical subjects, more often the Platonic and Neoplatonic schools rather than the thought of Aristotle. The Arabic Secretum Secretorum was by far the most popular Pseudo-Aristotelian work and was even more widely diffused than any of the authentic works of Aristotle.
The release of Pseudo-Aristotelian works continued for long after the Middle Ages. Aristotle's Masterpiece was a sex manual which published first in 1684 and became very popular in England. It was still being sold in the early twentieth century and was probably the most widely reprinted book on a medical subject in the eighteenth and early nineteenth century."
-- Wikipedia
The first Pseudo-Aristotelian works were produced by the members of the Peripatetic school which was founded by Aristotle. However, many more works were written much later, during the Middle Ages. Because Aristotle had produced so many works on such a variety of subjects it was possible for writers in many different contexts—notably medieval Europeans, North Africans and Arabs—to write a work and ascribe it to Aristotle. Attaching his name to such a work guaranteed it a certain amount of respect and acceptance, since Aristotle was regarded as one of most authoritative ancient writers for the learned men of both Christian Europe and the Muslim Arab lands. It is generally not clear whether the attribution to Aristotle of a later work was done by its own author or by others who sought to popularize such works by using his name.
In the Middle Ages more than a hundred Pseudo-Aristotelian works were in circulation. These can be separated in three groups based on the original language used for the work, namely Latin, Greek or Arabic. The category of Latin works is the smallest while the Arabic works are most numerous. Many Arabic works were translated to Latin in the Middle Ages. The majority of these cover occult subjects such as alchemy, astrology, chiromancy and physiognomy. Others treated Greek philosophical subjects, more often the Platonic and Neoplatonic schools rather than the thought of Aristotle. The Arabic Secretum Secretorum was by far the most popular Pseudo-Aristotelian work and was even more widely diffused than any of the authentic works of Aristotle.
The release of Pseudo-Aristotelian works continued for long after the Middle Ages. Aristotle's Masterpiece was a sex manual which published first in 1684 and became very popular in England. It was still being sold in the early twentieth century and was probably the most widely reprinted book on a medical subject in the eighteenth and early nineteenth century."
-- Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 31, 2015
"A word of Advice to both Sexes, consisting of several Directions with regard to Copulation.
As Nature has a mutual desire for copulation in every creature, for the increase and propagation of its kind, and more especially in man, the lord of creation and the masterpiece of Nature, in order that such a noble piece of divine workmanship should not perish, something ought to be said concerning it, it being the foundation of everything that we have hitherto been treating of, since without copulation there can be no generation. Seeing, therefore, so much depends upon it, I have thought it necessary, before concluding the first book, to give such directions to both sexes, for the performance of that act, as may appear efficacious to the end for which nature designed it, but it will be done with such caution as not to offend the chastest ear, nor to put the fair sex to the blush when they read it."
As Nature has a mutual desire for copulation in every creature, for the increase and propagation of its kind, and more especially in man, the lord of creation and the masterpiece of Nature, in order that such a noble piece of divine workmanship should not perish, something ought to be said concerning it, it being the foundation of everything that we have hitherto been treating of, since without copulation there can be no generation. Seeing, therefore, so much depends upon it, I have thought it necessary, before concluding the first book, to give such directions to both sexes, for the performance of that act, as may appear efficacious to the end for which nature designed it, but it will be done with such caution as not to offend the chastest ear, nor to put the fair sex to the blush when they read it."
December 26, 2017
I couldn't handle it. I spent so long riffing it that I couldn't get very far. It comes by its ignorance honestly, given the period it came out of, but I just want to give the author a proper science lesson. A good laugh, if bad biology doesn't rile you up.
April 26, 2023
This shit is as entertaining as potato-shifter erotica.
May 11, 2010
This book was so crazy. A midwifery manual from the 17 century, it was falsely attributed to Aristotle somehow. It's full of interesting "scientific information" about anatomy, physiology, genetics, conception, gestation, and many other topics. At the time this information was modern and accepted, but the vast majority of it has since been disproven. In addition, there are many recipes for remedies, medicines, poultices, and much more, that would certainly interest the modern-day herbalist. However, someone who is not very knowledgeable about reproduction and biology could pick up a lot of misinformation from this text.
September 5, 2022
This is a collection of the works that have been ascribed to Aristotle but clearly were not written by him. Lots of gobbledygook and weird stuff throughout. People would write stuff and then say it was written by someone else, called Pseudepigrapha, in order to get it spread through the people and increase it's popularity. Most times it's pretty obvious whether a famous author wrote something.
May 31, 2018
Found an old copy in my home, decided to read it as the way they thought about medicine in those eras of science were interesting and amusing.
August 1, 2024
I have my doubts if this was written by Aristotle. Filled with poetic prejudice and presumption; some of these unequivocal answers felt as if they reflected a latter time, deep in the Dark Ages. If it was Aristotle, I’m deeply disappointed. He doesn’t hold a candle to Plato in thinking or inspiring thought in his readers.
Question after question was asked and answered with no hesitation or consideration as I’ve come to anticipate in an intellectual. Is that because this piece of literature was written before intellectuals or during a time when there was an active attempt to silence and bury them?
Seldom were the answers accurate, although they were often offensive or amusing. At times they were both. I debated whether I should give this book a second star for the sheer entertainment value offered by its ridiculousness. Given the dangerous possibility of someone taking this book too seriously in all innocence, I decided not to.
I’m not sure if there any truths in this book. Maybe there a couple. What it does offer is insight into the prejudices learned men possessed in ancient times, showing what they believed to be true.
I grabbed this book because it was free and it was a chance to reading something by Aristotle. I’m unsure if I succeeded in the latter. Read at your risk only if you’re not easily offended and can find humor in another’s self-righteous assurance, in spite of a lack of accuracy in telling you how it is.
Question after question was asked and answered with no hesitation or consideration as I’ve come to anticipate in an intellectual. Is that because this piece of literature was written before intellectuals or during a time when there was an active attempt to silence and bury them?
Seldom were the answers accurate, although they were often offensive or amusing. At times they were both. I debated whether I should give this book a second star for the sheer entertainment value offered by its ridiculousness. Given the dangerous possibility of someone taking this book too seriously in all innocence, I decided not to.
I’m not sure if there any truths in this book. Maybe there a couple. What it does offer is insight into the prejudices learned men possessed in ancient times, showing what they believed to be true.
I grabbed this book because it was free and it was a chance to reading something by Aristotle. I’m unsure if I succeeded in the latter. Read at your risk only if you’re not easily offended and can find humor in another’s self-righteous assurance, in spite of a lack of accuracy in telling you how it is.
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April 10, 2017Any interest in this book will primarily lie in its historical function, obviously (Leopold Bloom spies a copy in Joyce's _Ulysses_, as noted in this wonderful review: http://publicdomainreview.org/2015/08...). The book was a kind of blockbuster, reflecting a period in which interest in the self, the body, and gender norms had intensified. For that reason, it has appeal across a range of inquiries, from the history of science and the history of sexuality and of gender to literary production through time.
September 10, 2013
There is something fascinating in old medical works, and this piece of seventeenth century popular science about how to make and deliver babies is no exception. Some of the information and advice seems sensible, some seems enlightened, some seems crazy and some seems criminal but it's all based on a view of the body we no longer hold, unless we are one of them holistic/qi/good and bad energy nutjob type people.
June 18, 2007
Where children thus are born with hairy coats
Heaven's wrath unto the kingodom it denotes.
Heaven's wrath unto the kingodom it denotes.
January 7, 2014
Interesting as a primary source for historical study, but boring and useless in all other contexts.
February 4, 2019
OMG 1860s bad sex advice
September 22, 2022
So boring and so wrong.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews