BUT lest I should be here taxed with forging of phantoms merely for the honor of combating them, I shall only entreat all parties concerned to consider the following so probable circumstance, and then let them decide as their own judgment will direct them: a circumstance taken (can any thing be fairer?) even from a man-midwife’s own stating, as well as from the nature of things, of which none need be ignorant that will think at all about them. IT is then to be observed, that during a woman’s pregnancy, and before the labor-pains come on, one of the principal points of midwifery is, what is called the art of _Touching_. Thence are derived the surest prognostics for preparation, and especially from the signs it affords of rectitude or obliquity of the Uterus. I have already offered reasons needless to repeat, why the men can never arrive at the excellence of skill in the women in this particular. But as to the importance of this faculty of _Touching_, hear what Dr. Smellie himself says. P. 180. “The design of _touching_ is to be informed, whether the woman is or is not with child; to know how far she is advanced in her pregnancy; if she is in danger of a miscarriage; if the _os uteri_ be dilated; and in time of labor to form a right judgment of the case, from the opening of the _os internum_, and the pressing down of the membranes with their waters, and lastly, to distinguish what part of the child is presented.” Again, P. 448. speaking of a _midwife_, he says, “she ought to be well skilled in the art of _touching_ pregnant women, and know in what manner the womb stretches, together with the situation of all the abdominal VISCERA: she ought to be perfectly mistress of the ART of EXAMINATION in the time of labour”.