I SHALL only (in this place) farther explain, what I mean, by the _MIDWIFE_’s _Duty_ to all _Women_ in _LABOUR_, to whom she may be call’d upon _critical Conjunctures_; as the latter part of the above-mentioned last General _Head_ purports: namely this, That the _MIDWIFE_, in the Course of her _Practice_, ought always to observe carefully, and follow strictly the _Rules_ of _EQUITY_ and _CHARITY_: That is, supposing the _MIDWIFE_ to be sent for by a Person in LABOUR, whose _Case_ is Natural and all Things likely to go well; and in the mean time, after she has taken her in Hand, is peradventure sent for to _another Woman_, whose difficult or preternatural _Case_ threatens imminent _Danger_. IN this _Case_, the _MIDWIFE_ knowing herself to be better qualified than _Others_, and that _Another_ not equally expert is able to lay the _Former_, she ought to attend and assist the _Latter_: And _That_ also notwithstanding the _First_ be RICH, and the _Latter_, POOR; since _GOD_ is no _Respecter of Persons_. BUT, if it happen, that _one Rich_, and _another poor Woman_, want HELP both at a time, and are in equal Danger: In _that Case_, without any regard to the _one’s WEALTH_, or the _other’s POVERTY_; the _MIDWIFE_ is to assist _Her_ first, whom _Divine Providence_ first call’d her to, or first engag’d her withal. And as the _Cases_ of _Women_ in LABOUR may differ, so she ought impartially to act and dispose of herself; having always an Eye to something _superiour_ to, and far above that of mean LUCRE. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAP. IV. _Of the QUALIFICATIONS of the Extraordinary MIDWIFE._ THE _Extraordinary MIDWIFE_, or _Andro-Boethogynist_ (whether _Physician_ or _Surgeon_ practicing this ART) ought not only to be endued with all the _Qualities_ and _Qualifications_ mentioned in the _Two_ preceding _Chapters_, but also to excel the WOMAN-MIDWIFE in many special _Particulars_, and ingenious _Points_; which no ways belong to her _Female Province_. FOR it is not enough that He knows how to relieve and _lay_ the _labouring Woman_, however difficult or preternatural her _Case_ may be; nor is it sufficient that he understands how to _help_ and succour both the _MOTHER_ and the _INFANT_ after such a _Delivery_: No, so much of his Business might be easily learn’d and enhanced by _old Women_, were they but _Docile_, and not such obstinate _Creatures_. BUT _He_ ought farther also to know (_first_) how to prevent all preternatural _Disasters_ incident to both the _one_ and the _other_, in their respective _States_ of CHILD-BED and INFANCY: And, _Secondly_, how to administer Relief and perform the CURE, in _Case_ of any dismal _Accident_ whatsoever to _one_ or _either_ of them in their dangerous Condition.