Perhaps I have given more space to all of this than seems warrantable, but I want you to know just what is going on so that you will not be worried. And also, in order that you will not make trouble for yourself by trying to do something when all that you really need do is to lie still, as comfortably as possible, keep your hand on the uterus and knead it enough to keep it hard. If your friend can slip out the wet sheet and put a dry one in its place, without your having to turn over, you will be just that much more comfortable, but the doctor will attend to everything else when he comes. Next the baby. Presumably he is lying there on the foot of the bed, all safe and sound, trying to get used to the new order of things. He is probably making his presence known by crying lustily and though the day may come when that sound will not be altogether pleasant, it is nothing short of music to you now, for you have been waiting a long time to hear it. The baby has come from a very warm place and has suddenly undergone the most abrupt change in his entire mode of living that he will ever experience, so the transition should be made as easy for him as possible. There are two things which he must do immediately, that your body has been doing for him. He must breathe through his lungs and he must keep his body warm. If he has cried loudly, your faithful cool-headed friend may just wrap a little blanket about him, letting him lie as he is until the doctor comes, taking care that his face is not covered for he needs plenty of air. If the room is chilly she might place a flannel covered bag of warm water beside him outside the blanket. If the baby has not really cried lustily, as we know that even the youngest baby can, he should be made to cry, as that is the way he gets his breathing apparatus to running as it should. Your friend may take one of the clean little gauze squares that you prepared, and wrapping it around her little finger reach well back into the baby’s mouth and remove any mucus that may be lodged there and interfere with his breathing. She will do this more easily and thoroughly if she will pick the baby up by the feet, with one finger between his slippery little ankles so that her grip will be firm, and wipe out his mouth as he hangs head down. [Illustration: FIG. 24.—Helping the new baby to breathe by holding him head downward and sharply spanking him. Note that the nurse has one finger between the baby’s ankles to prevent his slipping from her hand. ]