HENCE (I think) it evidently appears, how necessary it is that all _MIDWIVES_ should not only know the _Form_ and _Size_ of the _PELVIS_, but also the _Situation_ and _Connexion_ of its BONES, as already describ’d at large[167], that _she_ may thereby the better distinguish the _Circumstances_ by plainly discerning the _Causes_, and judge accurately of the _Position_ of both the _WOMB_ and the _INFANT_; so that in the beginning of the LABOUR, she may immediately discover how the PELVIS and its _Entrance_ is form’d, whether _Large_ or _Narrow_, _Smooth_ or _Round_. FOR this Reason, the _first Thing_ that the _MIDWIFE_ ought to do, when she comes to a _Woman_ in LABOUR, is to try by the TOUCH, how all is circumstantiated, with respect to these Things; and _This_ is to be done before the _WOMB_ and the _CHILD_ are fallen down into the PELVIS, that she may contrive her _Work_ accordingly. Because sometimes the _Exclusion_ of the _INFANT_, is to be hoped for, from the PAINS only; sometimes _Nature_ is to be prudently assisted; sometimes there is an absolute Necessity for _extracting_ the CHILD (without loss of Time) by an _Artful Hand_, as will hereafter more clearly appear; and sometimes again the same Necessity obliges us to _protract_ the _BIRTH_, than we may save _One_ or _Both Lives_: As in the _Case_ of a _smooth_ PELVIS, the OS PUBIS and the VERTEBRÆ of the SACRUM being but little distant, the CHILD’s _Head_ is stopped; when if the MOTHER should labour much, or endeavour to force an expeditious _BIRTH_, its tender _Head_ (of course) must suffer in proportion; Or perhaps the BRAIN may break, by so hard a _Pressure_ against the _Bones_; or, finally (which is worse) it may be so closely squeez’d between the _Bones_, that both the _MOTHER_ and the _INFANT_ may peradventure die, before any _BIRTH_ can possibly succeed or come happily into the World. BUT in this critical _Condition_, the WOMAN is to _labour_ gently, and bear her _PAINS_ (how violent soever) patiently; the _MIDWIFE_ always directing the _Head_, at the same time by her safe _Hand_, into the _larger Space_; by which _Means_ at last, it passes gradually through that _narrow Passage_ without the least _Danger_. THE same also is the _Condition_ when the _PELVIS_ is too _small_ or _narrow_; for by the _Woman_’s labouring gently and deliberately, the _Head_ is depressed softly into an _oblique Figure_, and passes easily by Degrees: Whereas, on the other hand, if it is forced by _Violence_, it becomes _flat_ and _broad_, and consequently incapable of _Passing_, if not also _dash’d to Pieces_, as aforesaid.