V. AND finally, the _Cause_ may depend upon a _superiour Influence_, in so far that, as we see with our _Eyes_, such _Grain_ as is _sowed_, and such _Plants_ or _Trees_ as are _planted_ in the _Interlunium_, or _silent Moon_, and before _Full-Moon_, to fructify and _ripen_ sooner than others: Or, as we see and perceive our very _Nails_ and _Hair_ which are _cut_ in that Time, to _grow_ faster and sooner, than what is so _cut_ after the _Full-Moon_: So we may as easily comprehend by our _Reason_, that these _Times_ may have the same Natural _Effect_ in the[150]_Human Seed_. And as then the _Parts_ are more _Succulent_, and the _Generative Virtue_ more _excitated_, not only in the _Human Seed_, but also in all other _Seeds_ and _Roots_, what wonder is it, that the _Womb_ be also more _efficacious_ and _prestant_ at the same _Conjuncture_? This I take to have been _Pliny_’s[151] Meaning, saying none are _born_ in the 7th Month, but they who have been _conceiv’d_ in the very _Change_ of the _Moon_, or within a Day of it, under or over. Hence I may justly observe, that all _slower Births_ have been _begotten_ at opposite Times; for which, I think, I have also sufficient Authority from[152]_HIPPOCRATES_ himself, saying, when a _Woman conceives_ after _Full-Moon_, that _Conception_ must, of Necessity, reach the 11th Month. HAVING thus far (according to the Best of my Judgment) dilucidated these _Cases_, and having hitherto conducted the _Woman with Child_, and brought her safe this Length, thro’ all the _Difficulties_ she has been expos’d to, and the many _Hardships_ she has met with in her _Gestation_ or _Bearing-Time_, to the compleat _Number_ of her _MONTHS_, or precise _Time_ of her _LABOUR_: It remains now, that I should also direct her _Safety_ upon that emergent Occasion; since if we should now lose our good and fruitful _Woman_ at last, all our previous _Pains_ and _Care_ have been _Labour in vain_, and nothing but _Frustration_. But, because the _Work_ of _DELIVERY_, does not always depend upon the _Woman_ herself, and but seldom in these _Countries_, upon the _Physician_; before I commit her to the _Hands_ of the rude or unskilful, (whether _MAN_ or _WOMAN-MIDWIFE_) I shall in the next Place, (with all due _Deference_ to my _SUPERIOURS_, especially the eminent _Professors_ of _Physick_, and _Practisers_ of MIDWIFERY in the _City_ of _LONDON_) endeavour to instruct such Persons in the _Fundamentals_ of their _ART_, and to qualify them with the necessary _Knowledge_, and indispensible _Duty_ of their _BUSINESS_. IN fine, I shall attempt now to perform This _Undertaking_ in the plainest and most succinct _Terms_ following. [Illustration] [Illustration] SECT. IV. [Illustration] CHAP. I. _Of MIDWIFERY._