1. Ascertain if the lady is really in labor. Make a digital examination. If the os is high up so as to be reached with difficulty, slightly patulous and rigid, and the pains are felt in front, there is reason to believe that the labor has not yet commenced—that she only has false labor pains. At this time attend to the bowels; give perhaps paregoric or morphine to relieve her of what is to her useless and exhausting agony, and enjoin rest. You may at this time properly give her an enema containing ¼ of a grain of morphine or fifteen grains of chloral dissolved in gruel or starch or mucilage. 2. When you make an examination and find that the pains are efficient in producing a dilatation of the os uteri, that the parts are soft and relaxed, if there is a secretion called the show, if there is a favorable presentation, and the labor is making some progress, the patient should be told of all that is favorable in the case. 3. Be careful in making early examinations to, first, if possible, reach the os with the finger. When your finger presses against the cervix it will hurt her considerably more than it will when it presses against the presenting part of the child. 2. Avoid rupturing the membranes. 3. Notice if there is anything observable to hinder the progress of the labor. 4. Note any progress of the labor. 4. If everything is favorable, assure the patient of the fact; if you have doubts and fears upon some point, you need not express all your fear, but do not delay to send for a physician. 5. You may in the early stage of labor, permit the patient to move about as she wishes, and she may rest on the sofa when tired. She may have her usual diet, but not any stimulants. 6. From time to time make an examination. If the os is dilatable you need not fear that the membranes may then be ruptured. Learn as fully as possible the presentation and position, and if you press your finger against the child’s head you may thereby reinforce weak pains.