_Causes_ of the _WOMB_: Of the _INFANT_, because through the strict
_Confinement_ of a narrow Place, and Defect[160] of _Aliment_, and
_Refrigeration_, It kicks and spurns for its EXIT: Of the _WOMB_,
because about that _Time_, being overloaded and aggrieved by the _Bulk_
and _Weight_ of the CHILD, it endeavours, by its own expulsive
_Faculty_, to disburthen itself, and propel or drive it forth to the
utmost of its Power. For——
AS it is the proper _Function_ of the STOMACH, to eject the _noxious
Humours_ by Vomit, and deject the _Natural Excrements_ into the
_INTESTINES_; as it is also the _Office_ of the _RECTUM_ to evacuate the
_Fæces_; as likewise the _Profusion of the Urine_ is the _Action_ of the
BLADDER; as again the _Extrusion_ of all _fuliginous Matters_ is the
_Work_ of the HEART and LUNGS; and as, at last, the _Effusion_ of the
_Genital_ SEED (in _Venery_) is the _Operation_ of the _Virile_
TESTICLES: So the _Exclusion_ of the _Mature FOETUS_ is the
_Eighth_[161] and last proper _Action_ of the _WOMB_; which is justly
deem’d the only _Primary Agent_ and _Active Cause_ of _BIRTH_, as the
excluded _FOETUS_ is the _Passive_.
BUT this _BIRTH_ is not always _Uniform_; for as it differs in _Time_,
so it does also in _Manner_: From hence we have with respect to the
TIME, _Legitimate_ and _Illegitimate BIRTHS_, which being already
discuss’d[162], I shall resume nothing by way of _Repetition_ in this
Place: And with respect to the MANNER, we have also two general SORTS,
namely, _Natural_ and _Preternatural BIRTHS_; which together with their
particular _Branches_, I am now to enter upon, without any farther
Digression.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
CHAP. II.
_Of Natural BIRTHS._
BY a _Natural BIRTH_, I mean nothing else, but that which is perform’d
without any _ART_ or _Artificial Means_; which _BIRTH_ (of itself)
strictly observes the Order and Appointment of _Nature_: That is, in the
_INFANT_’s coming _Head foremost_, _Face downwards_, _Arms following_,
extended (along the _Sides_) strait _upwards_, towards the _Thighs_.
_HIPPOCRATES_’s _Reason_[163], in short, for the _CHILD_’s thus turning
and presenting itself, is very good; _viz._ Because of all the _Parts_,
the HEAD is the Heaviest about the Time of _BIRTH_, as appears more at
large from _Sect._ I. _Chap._ 10.
BUT besides this Argument, I believe Wise _Nature_ has also order’d it
_thus_; because _This_ indubitably is the most _safe_ and _easy Manner_
of _EXITION_ both for the _Mother_ and _Infant_: Insomuch that by all
other _Methods_ of _EXTRACTION_, _One_ or the _Other_, and sometimes
_Both Lives_ are, or may be, endanger’d, if not very dextrously
perform’d, according to the best Laws of Art and Judgment, as by and by
will more manifestly appear.
BUT because I have generally observ’d most _Authors_ to treat
promiscuously of _BIRTHS_, not only accounting some, which are really
_Natural_, to be _Preternatural_; but also both handling and writing of
them as _such_, only because attended with some difficult Circumstances:
I shall (in this place) take Leave to make an agreeable _Distinction_
betwixt the _different Sorts_ of _Natural BIRTHS_, in order to make
every thing the more clear and obvious to the _Conception_ of the
READER. Upon which Account therefore, I shall reduce _These_ to _two
Heads_, and that under the TITLES of _Natural Easy_, and _Natural
Difficult BIRTHS_.
THE _FIRST_ of which I include in this _Chapter_; but because in this
_Case_ (which I call a _Natural Easy BIRTH_), _Nature_ alone always
performs the _Work_, without any Help of _ART_ or _Artful Means_; and
because also the MIDWIFE (upon this Occasion) has but little or nothing
to do, save only to observe the concluding _Chapters_ of the last
preceding SECTION; and upon receiving the CHILD, immediately to manage
and provide both for the MOTHER and the INFANT according to their
several _Necessities_, as hereafter shall be inculcated in the
respective _Chapters_ of the next following SECTION: I say, for these
_Reasons_, I have no Room here to insist farther on this present HEAD;
wherefore I proceed in course to the _SECOND Sort_ of these _BIRTHS_.
Namely——
[Illustration]
CHAP. III.
_Of Natural Difficult BIRTHS._
THO’ indeed every _difficult Expulsion_ of the _INFANT_, from whatsoever
_Cause_ it may proceed, is verily a _Difficult BIRTH_; yet I shall here
distinguish a _difficult One_ from a _preternatural BIRTH_; not only
that I may thereby, the better avoid the _Confusion_ which others have
led themselves into, by treating of BOTH promiscuously, but also that my
_Method_ may tend the more to the peculiar Benefit and Advantage of the
Ingenious READER.
WHEREFORE I call that a _Difficult BIRTH_; where, notwithstanding the
_Figure_ and _Dimensions_ of the _CHILD_, answer in all respects to its
proper _natural Posture_, in a _Perpendicular_ WOMB, duly situated, yet
the _Exclusion_ of the _INFANT_, is retarded, by some certain
_Opposition_ or _Difficulty_. From hence proceeds the real _Difference_
between _This_ and the _Natural Easy BIRTH_, forasmuch as _This_ always
requires _less_ or _more_ skilful _Assistance_, according to various
Circumstances, and _That_ but _Little_ or _none at all_.
NOW the _Causes_ of _Difficult BIRTHS_ are very various, and according
to the _Nature_ of them, _This_ sometimes proves equally as dangerous as
the _Preternatural_; but when so it happens, I have commonly observed
the _Fault_ to be, for the most Part wholly owing to the arrogant
_MIDWIFE_, who either knew not how to remove the _Cause_ and facilitate
the _BIRTH herself_, or delay’d applying betimes to some _Abler Person_,
for the _Relief_ and _Safety_ of her Labouring _WOMAN_.
HENCE arises a Fundamental MAXIM, which I would lay down for a memorable
_Rule_ to all such IGNORANTS; that no _MIDWIFE_ ought to keep a WOMAN in
this Condition under her _Hands_ (especially in a _Place_ where
extraordinary _Help_ is to be had) any _longer_, than she finds the
_Advances_ of _BIRTH_ answer to the Proportion of _Time_ spent about it:
But forthwith she ought to deliver her up to the _Care_ of the more
Skilful and Judicious _Practiser_ in this ART. In which _Case_, of
_Compliance_ and _Condescension_, she is to be highly commended for her
tender _Care_, and cautious _Concern_; whereas upon acting contrary to
this good _Rule_ out of Pride or Obstinacy, and the _fatal Accident_
ensuing, I have known the _MIDWIFE_ to have been try’d for her _Life_ in
the City of _Venice_.
BUT that I may render every thing _Plain_ and _Easy_ to the
_Apprehension_ of the weakest READER, by reason that the _Causes_ of
_Difficult BIRTHS_ are both _different_ and _numerous_, I shall again
reduce them to _Two_ CLASSES; namely, _External_ and _Internal_: The
_External_, I shall include in the next following _Chapter_; but the
_Internal Causes_, requiring a more Curious and Extensive
_Dilucidation_, may (I hope) be pertinently divided into a _Three-fold
Difference_; viz. _Causes_ of the MOTHER, of the INFANT, and of the
PASSAGES; which I propose to handle particularly, all in their due
_Order_. But _First_,
[Illustration]
CHAP. IV.
_Of Difficult BIRTHS, proceeding from External Causes._
IN all _difficult Cases_, the CURE or _Remedy_ chiefly depends upon the
certain _Knowledge_ of the _Nature of the Case_, and the _Cause_ of the
_Difficulty_: Since (according to _Celsus_[164], that noble _Roman
Physician_) it is not to be suppos’d that _He_ should know how to
_remedy Diseases_, who knows not their _Original Causes_.
FOR as in other _Cases_, so also in _MIDWIFERY_, the _Cause_ being
known, the _Difficulty_ is easily remov’d; but especially when it only
proceeds from _External Causes_, it requires no great ART, save only the
_MIDWIFE_’S particular _Notice_ and discreet _Animadversion_.
AS, _FIRST_, for Instance, in _Case_ of any _Difficulty_, occasion’d by
an _Intemperature_, or inclement _Constitution_ of WEATHER and AIR; the
more adverse or inclement the WEATHER is, the more tender _Care_ ought
to be taken of the _Labouring Woman_: Namely, in SUMMER, when the _Heat_
scorches so much as to dissipate the _Woman’s Strength_, she ought to
LABOUR in a _Ground-Chamber_ backwards, which may be strewed (for the
Purpose) with _Vine_ or _Willow-Leaves_, _Rose-Water_, and a little
_Vinegar_; as it is customary in _hot Countries_.
IN WINTER, when the _Cold_ pinches so as to condense and astringe the
WOMB and the _Passages_, she ought to LABOUR in an _Upper-Room_, kept
moderately warm with one continued _Fire_; the _MIDWIFE_ rubbing gently
the _Hypogastrick_ and _Ischiatick Regions_ every now and then with hot
_Cloathes_.
IN SPRING and FALL, when parching dry _Weather_, with _North_ and _East
Winds_ most abound, the _MIDWIFE_ ought not only to rub these _Inferiour
Regions_ with hot _Cloaths_; but also to qualify the _Influences_ of the
_Siccid AIR_, by anointing the _Passages_ with proper _Unguents_.
A SECOND _External Cause_ may proceed from the _Passions_ of the Will or
Mind, as it often does from _Fear_ and _Despair_, _Dejection_ and
_Pusillanimity_: In which _Case_, it is the _MIDWIFE_’s Duty to
encourage her WOMAN by the Hopes of a _Speedy DELIVERY_, and doing well
under GOD’s Blessing. When the Cause arises from _Anger_ or _Sorrow_,
these are to be assuaged by the repeated _Christian Exhortations_, and
_Friendly Admonitions_ of the MIDWIFE and GOSSIPS. When it comes from
_Pride_ and _Obstinacy_, as has been the _Case_ of some _Lofty Women_;
who (deeming themselves too good, to be treated after the _common
Course_ of Mankind) have refused to undergo or permit the proper
_Means_, absolutely necessary for their own _Relief_; THIS ought to be
severely check’d by the _Company_, especially by the _nearest Friends_;
the MIDWIFE (by proper _Remonstrances_) convincing her to her Shame of
her obstinate SIN. When it proceeds, in fine, from _Bashfulness_ or too
strict a _Modesty_, she may be justly reprehended of _Folly_; for no
Woman of good SENSE (how _Modest_ and _Virtuous_ soever) will expose her
own _Life_ or her INFANT’s to _Danger_, for the trifling _Fancies_ or
_Caprices_ of her own vain Imagination, especially in a _Case_ where
_like things happen to All_ equally of Flesh and Blood.
BUT when it happens to proceed from the _Woman_’s being ill-affected, or
owing a private _Grudge_ or _Hatred_ to any in the _Company_, (as I once
knew it to be the _Cause_ of a difficult and lingring _BIRTH_) _She_
ought to speak her Mind freely, at least to her _MIDWIFE_; who ought to
give the _Person_ civil Notice to retire forthwith, for certain Reasons,
_&c._
A THIRD _External Cause_ of a _difficult BIRTH_ may proceed from a
_wrong Position_, or other _sinistrous Methods_ taken to assist the
WOMAN: In which _Case_, such _Inconveniencies_ are to be alter’d, and
better _Measures_ practis’d; for _thus_ the _Cause_ being removed, the
_BIRTH_ differs in Nothing from _That_ of the _Natural Easy Case_.
WHENCE I come, in the next Place, to speak of _Difficult BIRTHS_,
proceeding from _Internal Causes_; and because they are _Three-fold_, as
has been before observed, I shall assign them as many respective
_Chapters_, treating of _Each_ in their due Order, as mentioned.
[Illustration]
CHAP. V.
_Of Difficult BIRTHS, proceeding from Causes of the MOTHER._
IN _this_ (as in the _former Case_) the MIDWIFE must use her most acute
and nicest _Judgment_, to find out the particular _Cause_ of the
_Difficulty_. Which being done,
I. IF _She_ finds it arises from the WOMAN’s being too _Young_, or too
_Old_, of her _first Child_, or too _Lean_ at last; _she_ is to anoint
the _Passages_ with proper _Unguents_, which ought to be done some time
_before_, as well as in the _Hour_ of _LABOUR_: When _she_ is likewise
to employ her _subtile Hand_, in assisting and augmenting the
_Dilatation_ of the _Orifice_; as is requisite also in _Case_ of the
WOMAN being too _Fat_ or _Gross_.
II. IF the WOMAN be too _small_, _short_, _crooked_, or _misshaped_, not
having a _Breast_ strong enough to forward and bear down her _PAINS_; or
if she be over _tender_, _sensible_, and _apprehensive_ of _PAIN_; or
too _weak_, and not _able_ to contribute or assist by her own forcing
_Endeavours_; or _short-winded_, and not capable to constrain her
_Spirits_ downwards: In all these _Cases_ she is to be kept _upright_,
for the more free _Respiration_, as well as for encreasing her _PAINS_,
_standing_ or _walking_ about the Room, according to her _Strength_,
being supported under her _Arms_, and not put to BED until at least the
_WATERS_ are broke. But, in the mean Time, the _weak_ and _tender_ WOMAN
ought to be now and then comforted and refreshed with _fresh soft Eggs_,
good _Broths_, _Jellies_, a little _Wine_ and _Toast_, a little _Wine_
and _Water_, or such like convenient _Things_, as well as with the
_Hopes_ of a _speedy_ DELIVERY.
III. WHEN the _PAINS_ are not _Natural_ or _Genuine_; but _Spurious_,
_Faint_ and _Languid_; or _Shifting_ and _Tergiversant_; such are to be
assuaged by proper _Lenitives_ and _Anodynes_; which being regularly
done, the _Genuine Pains_ may be excited by proper _Clysters_, and
divers other Means. But I would advise none to a _Profuse Use_ of
_MEDICINES_ in such _Cases_, since I well know that many a WOMAN has
lost her _Life_ by using _dolorifick Medicines_, prescribed by imprudent
_MIDWIVES_, without considering, or so much as knowing the true
Circumstances of the _Condition_: Whereas in most _Cases_, by the
ingenious _Motion_ of an _Experienc’d Hand_ only, the PAINS may be
sufficiently awaken’d, and the BIRTH safely promoted.
IV. WHEN the _Difficulty_ proceeds from the _Debility_ of the WOMB, or
its _Expulsive Faculty_, not being able or capable to _Exclude_ the
_INFANT_, because of a more strong and valid _Retentive Power_: In this
_Condition_, if there be no evident _External Cause_ to be obviated, it
depends chiefly upon the _Subtile Hand_ of the _MIDWIFE_, to assist the
WOMB in its _Function_; and otherways the _PATIENT_ is only to be
treated as in the _Case_ of the _weak_ and _tender_ WOMAN
above-mentioned.
V. WHEN the WOMAN is taken with any _Acute Disease_, the _BIRTH_ is to
be prompted by all safe _Means_; and if a _Natural DELIVERY_ does not
presently succeed, an _Artificial_ one must (without Loss of _Time_) be
undertaken. As in the _Case_ of immoderate and continual _Floodings_,
with concomitant _Convulsions_, which always proceed from the Separation
of the _SECUNDINE_ (either in whole or in part) from the WOMB, and
happen many different ways, as already mentioned at large[165].
IN these _Cases_, especially if the SECUNDINE is found (by the TOUCH) at
the _Orifice_, there is no Hope of _Stopping_ them by any other _Means_,
than by _delivering_ the WOMAN; which now the _sooner_ done, the
_better_ (for saving two _Lives_) and _that_ whether at full time of
_Reckoning_ or not. But this _Operation_, I conceive, is to be most
discreetly _Undertaken_ in the manner following, _viz._
THE _Woman_ is to be placed in BED, with the _Upper_ and _Lower_ Part of
her Body almost _equal_, then the MIDWIFE is gently and gradually to
introduce her _Fingers_ into the _Orifice_, dilating it cautiously with
_one_ or _two_, until she can enter them _All_; when opening the MATRIX
by Degrees, she gets in her _Whole Hand_, and thereby _first_ carefully
tears the _Membrane_ with her _Nails_, if the _WATERS_ are not
previously broke: Then she puts her _Hand_ in the same _Membrane_ to the
INFANT’s _Feet_, seeking them in their _Place_, where they are to be
found, when they don’t present themselves at _First_: Because, the
_Hold_ by the _FEET_ being _Better_, it is more easy to _deliver_ by
_Them_, in this Case, than by the _HEAD_, or any _other Part_. After
_this_ the _FEET_ being found, the CHILD is easily _turn’d_, as long as
the WOMB is loose and slippery, and the _Humours_ not quite flown off;
which being nicely done, the _FEET_ are to be drawn out _both together_,
if possible; but if otherways, _they_ must be drawn down _separately_,
with _great_ Caution: And so being conjoin’d or held fast together, they
are to be drawn forward with _one Hand_, whilst the _other_ is
circumspectly thrust towards the _Knees_ or _Buttocks_ of the CHILD, in
order thereby to turn also the whole Body of the INFANT, so that its
_Face_, _Belly_, and _Toes_ may tend downwards towards the _RECTUM_.
IN this _Posture_ the CHILD may be gently and gradually extracted with
Ease; next the _SECUNDINE_ must be fetch’d away in its Turn, and lastly
the WOMB is to be thoroughly cleans’d of all _heterogeneous_ Bodies, as
formerly directed[166]. And thus the WOMB (having yielded up its
_Contents_) immediately contracts, by which _MEANS_ of divine
Appointment, the Vessels close and shut firmly, and consequently the
_FLUX_ ceases, together with all the concomitant _SYMPTOMS_.
BUT it is to be well remembred, that this _Operation_ ought to be
_timely_ perform’d; that is, before the WOMAN has lost too much _Blood_,
or is too much spent; in which _Condition_ such a painful Attempt would
but accelerate her _Death_. As to her _Regimen_ next, upon this
melancholy Occasion, _She_ must be duly provided for _beforehand_, that
she may be able to undergo and stand out such an extream difficult
_DELIVERY_; and afterwards, that she may recruit her _Spirits_, and
retrieve her exhausted _Strength_: For which Purposes, she ought to be
supplied from time to time with some good _Broths_, _Jellys_, and a
little generous _Wine_, smelling continually _Rose-Vinegar_, and
applying repeated warm _Toasts_ dipt in _Wine_ (in which _Cinnamon_ has
been infus’d or boil’d) to the _Region_ of her HEART, as also _Napkins_
dipt in a Mixture of _Water_ and _Vinegar_ about her REINS, in order for
turning the _Course_ of the FLUX.
THESE Things being all duly and artfully perform’d, the PATIENT (under
God) will soon _recover_ and be _in Statu quo_. Now _These_, in short,
are all the _principal_ and most common _Causes_ of _difficult_ BIRTHS
proceeding from the part of the MOTHER; which being thus discussed with
all Brevity, I go on to——
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
CHAP. VI.
_Of Difficult BIRTHS proceeding from Causes of the INFANT._
IT sometimes also happens, that the _Difficulty_ in LABOUR arises from
the INFANT: And _that FIRST_ when _Two_ or _More_ strive for _Priority_
in _BIRTH_.
NOW this _Condition_ the MIDWIFE can no otherways distinguish or
discover, but by the TOUCH; and when the _one_ is more _forward_ than
the _other_, ’tis not to be done or known, until she has even _touch’d_
the very _Fund_ of the WOMB: Because sometimes it so happens, that _One_
CHILD has its _Hands_ and _Feet_ so intermix’d, that whatever way _She_
turns her _Hand_, she finds _Legs_ or _Arms_, _Hands_ or _Feet_, which
often deceives MIDWIVES, believing there are _TWINS_. But in this
perplex’d _Case_ the most sure and only certain _Sign_, is, when she
feels _two Heads_ or _two Backs_; for then she cannot be Mistaken, since
_one Body_ cannot have _two Heads_, unless it be a MONSTER, which may be
soon discover’d by feeling if the _double Head_ be fix’d to _one_ and
the _same Body_.
BUT in the _Case_ of _TWINS_ or _more Children_ (as long as they come
right) the DELIVERY is perform’d, as if the _Woman_ had but ONE, in the
_Natural Case_ already Stated; so that I shall repeat or recapitulate
Nothing of what I have said, only that the AFTER-BIRTH, or BIRTHS are
not to be _touch’d_, until all the _CHILDREN_ are Born: Upon which
drawing gently the _Navel Strings_ (in their Turns) with the _One Hand_,
the _Other_ brings them forth easily and orderly; as is set forth more
fully in SECT. IV. _Chap._ 18.
A SECOND _difficult LABOUR_ may proceed from the _Weakness_ and
_Debility_ of the INFANT, or from its being too _Small-grown_; in which
_Case_, both the WOMAN and the MIDWIFE are to use their best mutual
_Endeavours_ to promote the _BIRTH_, since the _CHILD_ can do little or
nothing for itself, and the _Less_ it is, the less it is affected with
the _THROWS_ of the _Mother_, and the less _Impression_ her Impulses
make upon it: Whereupon _Nature_ is to be assisted in this weak
_Condition_ by all convenient _Means_, whereof _THAT_ of the _Agile_ or
_Nimble Hand_ is the most effectual.
A THIRD _difficult BIRTH_ may proceed from the INFANT’s being too _Big_;
In which Place I must previously apprize the _READER_, that I no ways
mean a _MONSTER_ or _Hydropical CHILD_, but only _One full_, _well_, or
_Big-grown_, which is only reckoned too _Big_ in regard of the _Maternal
Passages_, which may be too _Small_ in Proportion.
IN this _Case_, there is an absolute Necessity for _Manual Assistance_,
since the PAINS (however penetrating or forcible) cannot effect the
_Work_. But and if the _INFANT_ is fallen down (well turn’d) into the
PELVIS, the MIDWIFE using her best and most skilful Endeavours to
_dilate_ the _Passages_ below near the OS COCCYGIS, the CHILD may be
easily brought forth (without any dangerous _Instrument_) by her
dextrous _Hand_ only accomplishing the _Work_. In the mean Time,
however, it is to be minded always, that _This_ is still more safely and
commodiously done by the FEET, than by the HEAD, after carefully
dilating the OS COCCYGIS, taking this Opportunity in the beginning of
the LABOUR, before the _INFANT_ is too much press’d down into the
PELVIS.
NOW _these_ are, in fine, the most common _Causes_ on the Part of the
_INFANT_, whence I come to touch upon _difficult BIRTHS_, proceeding
from _Causes_ of the _Passages_; which, because they are various, I
subdivide into a _Fivefold Diversity_; viz. _Difficult BIRTHS_,
proceeding from _Causes_ of the MEMBRANES, from _Causes_ of the PELVIS,
from _Causes_ of the BONES of the PELVIS, from _Causes_ of the BLADDER
and RECTUM, and from _Causes_ of the VAGINA: And because all these
require to be singularly explain’d, and particularly insisted upon, I
shall assign them as many respective _Chapters_. And _First_——
[Illustration]
CHAP. VII.
_Of Difficult BIRTHS, proceeding from Causes of the MEMBRANES._
SUCH _Difficulties_ as These, in _BIRTH_, may arise, _FIRST_ from the
_Strength_ and _Firmness_ of the MEMBRANES; when they happen to be so
_gross_, _callous_, or _thick_, that the _INFANT_ cannot easily break
through them.
In this _Case_, when the _MIDWIFE_ finds the _Orifice_ of the WOMB
sufficiently dilated, for the _Circumference_ of the HEAD, and the CHILD
so forward in the _Passage_, that it is ready for _BIRTH_, and only
impeded by the rigid or stiff MEMBRANE; then _she_ has just Authority to
break it gently with her _Nails_ and _Fingers_; taking Care in the ACT
not to draw the MEMBRANE towards _her_, because thereby the SECUNDINE
(of which the MEMBRANE, tho’ distinguish’d from the PLACENTA, is in
Effect, but the _Thinner Part_) would be untimely separated from the
WOMB, and the _INFANT undone_, unless presently _Born_.
BUT the _MIDWIFE_, after All, must always remember, not to attempt
_This_, before these mentioned _Signs_ are obvious to her TOUCH;
otherways the WATERS being too soon discharged, the _CHILD_ is left
behind, the _Passages_ grow dry, and _that_ which might have been an
_Easy_ and _Speedy_, proves a _Difficult_ and _Lingring BIRTH_.
AND the self-same _Consequences_ arise from the _Weakness_ and _Tenuity_
of the _MEMBRANES_; when they are so _thin_ and _soft_, that they break,
and the WATERS (which are destin’d to lubricate and moisten the
_Passages_) flow before their Time: In both which _Cases_, the _Office_
of the WATERS must be supply’d by proper _Fomentations_, and _Oils_,
which (however costly) falls far short of the _Effect_ of what is so
_Natural_. However, in short, neither of these _Conditions_, under the
diligent _Hand_ of the expert MIDWIFE, can differ far from the _Case_ of
an _Easy BIRTH_, as already defin’d; wherefore I proceed regularly to——
[Illustration]
CHAP. VIII.
_Of Difficult BIRTHS, proceeding from the Causes of the PELVIS._