_Concerning_ TOUCHING.
This ought to be put in Practice, as soon as, from the Symptoms
given in the Third Chapter, it is reasonable to expect the Birth
approaching; and a _Child-bearing_ Person would be very much her
own Enemy to refuse the only Means of giving a _true_ Information
of her Case, and the Knowledge how to do her the most effectual
Service.
The Midwife, having her Nails well pared, and very smooth, and her
Fingers anointed with Oil or Lard, must introduce the two _fore
Fingers_ of either Hand into the _Passage_ or _Neck_ of the _Womb_,
as far as its _inward_ Orifice, directing them with a _gentle_
and _easy_ Motion, somewhat upwards, as it were with a Tendency
through the _Passage_ towards the _Navel_; in this Search she will
find the _internal_ Orifice, joining the _Passage_ or _Neck_ of
the _Womb_ more or less open, relaxed, and thinner than usual;
and cautiously protruding her Fingers farther, she may possibly
touch the _Crown_ of the Child’s Head; she will easily, by the
_Sutures_, or _Opening_ between the Bones of the Skull, distinguish
the _Crown_: Keeping her Fingers in this Situation, _during_ the
Beginning, and Continuance of _strong_ Pains, she will observe the
_Waters_ contain’d in the _Membranes_ including the Child, and
After-birth _forming_ within the _inward_ Orifice, as if something
like a Bladder _blown_, or _distended_ with Water, presented to
the _Touch_, dilating the _Orifice_ with each _Throw_; these
Appearances presage a _speedy_ and _easy_ Birth.