NOW the _Causes_ of _Difficult BIRTHS_ are very various, and according to the _Nature_ of them, _This_ sometimes proves equally as dangerous as the _Preternatural_; but when so it happens, I have commonly observed the _Fault_ to be, for the most Part wholly owing to the arrogant _MIDWIFE_, who either knew not how to remove the _Cause_ and facilitate the _BIRTH herself_, or delay’d applying betimes to some _Abler Person_, for the _Relief_ and _Safety_ of her Labouring _WOMAN_. HENCE arises a Fundamental MAXIM, which I would lay down for a memorable _Rule_ to all such IGNORANTS; that no _MIDWIFE_ ought to keep a WOMAN in this Condition under her _Hands_ (especially in a _Place_ where extraordinary _Help_ is to be had) any _longer_, than she finds the _Advances_ of _BIRTH_ answer to the Proportion of _Time_ spent about it: But forthwith she ought to deliver her up to the _Care_ of the more Skilful and Judicious _Practiser_ in this ART. In which _Case_, of _Compliance_ and _Condescension_, she is to be highly commended for her tender _Care_, and cautious _Concern_; whereas upon acting contrary to this good _Rule_ out of Pride or Obstinacy, and the _fatal Accident_ ensuing, I have known the _MIDWIFE_ to have been try’d for her _Life_ in the City of _Venice_. BUT that I may render every thing _Plain_ and _Easy_ to the _Apprehension_ of the weakest READER, by reason that the _Causes_ of _Difficult BIRTHS_ are both _different_ and _numerous_, I shall again reduce them to _Two_ CLASSES; namely, _External_ and _Internal_: The _External_, I shall include in the next following _Chapter_; but the _Internal Causes_, requiring a more Curious and Extensive _Dilucidation_, may (I hope) be pertinently divided into a _Three-fold Difference_; viz. _Causes_ of the MOTHER, of the INFANT, and of the PASSAGES; which I propose to handle particularly, all in their due _Order_. But _First_, [Illustration] CHAP. IV. _Of Difficult BIRTHS, proceeding from External Causes._ IN all _difficult Cases_, the CURE or _Remedy_ chiefly depends upon the certain _Knowledge_ of the _Nature of the Case_, and the _Cause_ of the _Difficulty_: Since (according to _Celsus_[164], that noble _Roman Physician_) it is not to be suppos’d that _He_ should know how to _remedy Diseases_, who knows not their _Original Causes_. FOR as in other _Cases_, so also in _MIDWIFERY_, the _Cause_ being known, the _Difficulty_ is easily remov’d; but especially when it only proceeds from _External Causes_, it requires no great ART, save only the _MIDWIFE_’S particular _Notice_ and discreet _Animadversion_.