7. Do not annoy the patient by pressing upon the back or anywhere during a pain if she requests you not to, but when she does not object you can make such pressure as will reinforce the action of the abdominal muscles. When she is lying on her back with her shoulders elevated so that she is in an almost vertical position, you can stand beside her with your back towards her head, and make the necessary palpation by pressing with your hands on her abdomen, one of them on each side. Do this only when there is no tenderness, when the os is dilated, when there is a normal pelvic canal and a low position of the presenting part. Seek in thus pressing to move the uterus to the axis of the pelvic brim, then with the palms of your hands to the sides or fundus of the uterus press gradually downward, increasing the pressure for six or eight seconds, and then gradually diminishing. You may repeat this as often as she has a pain, and with an increasing force, and if the patient assents, you may make such pressure unremitting. 8. When the os uteri is fully dilated or soft and dilatable, the membranes may be broken by pressing with the end of your finger against it, or if this does not suffice, the finger nail previously nicked may open it. 9. When free hemorrhage occurs prior to delivery, it may depend upon placenta previa; that is, upon the placenta being attached very near or over the mouth of the womb; in such a case obtain a physician to take charge of the case if possible. You may yourself give half a teaspoonful of extract of ergot in the emergency. 10. During the progress of the labor you must always remember that the unassisted, natural powers are in most instances fully sufficient to bring the labor to a safe termination, and whatever you do should be of the kind that is not harmful. The important thing for the attendants to possess is gentleness and patience, and it is a good thing for the patient if she can be kept tranquil and cheerful. 11. A little light food may be offered the patient at any time during labor. 12. During the first stage of labor the patient must not strain or bear down to the pains, but it is my practice when I examine my patient and find that the head has not yet entered the pelvis, at the same time that the touch stimulates the uterus to contract, I direct the patient to bear down during each pain. After the head is fully engaged in the bones, no stimulus to pain is needed; however, as the bearing down pains come on, she should be advised to strain or press down. 13. Towards the last, when she is in great pain, if she be inclined to cry out, let her do so; never reprove her. 14. I approve of giving chloroform in some cases, but I do not advise the skilled nurse to give it except when a physician is present to direct its use.