If the nurse midwife understands her business she will in some cases do better for the woman than a physician in the commencement of labor. For instance, suppose that a doctor is called a distance of five miles and away from his home and his other patients, and when he examines the case the pains seem to be of the character of false labor pains. He knows that the real good of the patient might require that she should take an opiate, but the doctor would be unwilling to give it lest it might protract a real labor, and subject all parties to the inconveniences of a prolonged labor including unnecessary visits of the doctor. The nurse who can remain with the patient, if the labor should not be concluded in several days, would be more likely to do just what the good of the woman requires. And in such a case a skilled nurse would be peculiarly acceptable to a physician if he chanced to be called, because he would be much more at liberty to leave his patient if it seemed necessary to do so. When a nurse midwife is called to attend a case, she should carry with her besides disinfectants, a male catheter, some laudanum or other opiate, quinine, and extract ergot, in order to be prepared for emergencies. Ordinary cases may require no medicine, but some cases do. CHAPTER II. THE NATURAL LABOR. A NATURAL LABOR has been described as one “in which the head presents, and descends regularly into the pelvis; where the progress is uncomplicated, and concluded by the natural powers within twenty-four hours, (each stage being of due proportion), with safety to the mother and child, and in which the placenta is expelled in due time.” A skillful, careful examination in the commencement of labor will enable you perhaps to decide whether the labor will be natural or otherwise. But it may be your duty first to know if your patient is in ordinary health, or if she have any fever or organic disease, and you should enquire about the bodily functions generally, the condition of the pulse, skin, &c. Before making a digital examination you should notice the character of the pains, their frequency, force and regularity, the amount of voluntary effort, the character of the outcry, &c. From these enquiries you probably will be able to decide whether she is suffering from real labor, or false pains. She will, however, probably not object to a digital examination and your opinion will be founded principally upon that. The modern practice is to wash the hands in antiseptic soap or some solution before making an examination.