ABSTRACT

Here in this fourth book1 (by the leave of God) shall briefly be declared such things which may farther or hinder the conception of man, which, as it may be by diverse means letted2 and hindered, so also, by many other ways, it may be farthered and amended.3 Also, to know by certain signs and tokens, whether the woman be conceived or no,4 and whether the conception be male or female; and finally, certain remedies and medicines to farther and help conception. And thereafter we will (according to our promise in the prologue) set forth certain bellifying receptes,5 and so make an end of this whole treatise.6