I. FROM the _Navel_ downwards to the _Groin_, reflecting towards the _Loins_, with a depressing and bearing down upon the WOMB and PRIVITIES, as occasionally mentioned in the preceding _Chapter_: And tho’ _These_ are intermitting (not _continual_) _PAINS_, yet their Severity and Violence extenuate the _Umbilical_, and protuberate the _Genital Parts_, opening and distending the _Passages_. But besides, as the _Blood_ is exagitated and fermented, it excites a Velocity of PULSE, and a _Redness of Face_; whilst the BELLY waxes _Fiery-hot_, and a _Feverish Shivering_ or _Trembling-Fit_ invades the _whole Woman_, especially the inferiour LIMBS, but without any _Frigidity_. II. THE _Membranes_, with their _Contents_, which _MIDWIVES_ commonly call the _Gathering of the Waters_, now present themselves at the _Orifice_ before the _Head_ of the INFANT, resembling (to the TOUCH) _Abortive Eggs_ without any SHELL: upon _These_ breaking, the _Waters_ begin to flow; at first more _Sparingly_, but by and by more _profusely_, and at last a _waterish Blood_ follows, when a _GIRL_ is to be born; or a _pure-colour’d Blood_, when a _BOY_: But I also farther distinguish the _BIRTH_ of an approaching _BOY_ from _that_ of a _GIRL_, by the _Labour-Pains_; for in the _first Case_, these are far more severe and penetrating, and accordingly the _BIRTH_ much more expeditious, than in _Case_ of a _GIRL_: In which (however) the _PAINS_ are more constant and regular. III. AND now, at last, the _OSSA COCCYGIS_ and _COXENDICIS_ begin to yield, and give way; while the _Bottom_ contracts, the _Orifice_ of the WOMB opens, and the VAGINA dilates itself fully: So that _now_, and not _before_, most of the abovesaid _Signs_ evidently appear, I give my patient _Woman_ the WORD to _Labour her best_; because if she begins _sooner_, she too much debilitates both _Herself_ and fatigues the _CHILD_ before its due Time. MOREOVER, I have seen _some Women_ in LABOUR taken with a sudden _Vomiting_, that I suppose proceeded from the _natural Sympathy_, which the STOMACH bears to the WOMB: Whereupon it discharges a certain _Viscous Matter_, which I have always observ’d, upon its turning _Bloody_, to presage an easy _LABOUR_, and an expeditious _DELIVERY_. FARTHER yet, the _MIDWIFE_ must always remember, that when the commenced _real PAINS_ of _Labour_ chance to cease, the Woman’s _Labouring Efforts_ must also terminate with them in Course: And as this _Case_ denotes a _Debility_ of the _Expulsive Faculty_; so if it be not both _Timely_ and _Judiciously_ assisted, It may prove of the worst of Consequences. In a word, so much I have thought previously _necessary_ to my Purpose, before I enter upon—— [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAP. XVII. _Of the True Method of LAYING the Woman._