BUT supposing by the way, that the _INFANT_ offers its _Buttocks_ first, they being neither so _round_ nor _hard_ as the _HEAD_, I would then intrude all my _Fingers_ into the WOMB more easily; some of which (or sometimes _All_) I would pass into the _Orifice_ of the WOMB under the _Buttocks_ as before into the _VAGINA_. Now my _HAND_ being placed there, I intently observe the _PAINS_ as they come on; then inviting the _Woman_ to _Labour_, I gradually press _backwards_ as hard as I can conveniently, drawing my _HAND downwards_ as before: But if in attracting it so, the _HAND_ should slide too much out of the WOMB, (which however I endeavour to prevent) while the _PAINS_ are yet upon her; then as soon as they are over, I pass it up again, that I may be ready against their _Return_. And _this_ I would reiterate upon every _PAIN_, so that the CHILD (guided by my _HAND_) may slide down at every Turn, until at last the _Passage_ is so dilated, that it may advance gradually with _ease_ into the World. BY these judicious _Means_; forcing back the _OS COCCYGIS_ by the _Pressure_ of the _HAND_, as the _PAINS_ come on, I may not only dilate the _Passage_, and enlarge the _Orifice_ of the WOMB; but also upon retracting the _HAND_ by degrees, I can gradually attract the _CHILD_ out of the WOMB, through the _Narrowness_ of the _PELVIS_: And thus, by this curious ART, (which I take to be one of the chief _Points_ belonging to MIDWIFERY) I do fairly _deliver_ the WOMAN, who by no other _Means_ whatsoever, could be preserved, together with her _INFANT_, in all Probability. HOWEVER, tho’ I have candidly laid down this _Method_, (conformable to the Doctrine of the most excellent and ingenious _Instructers_) yet I would not advise every coarse _Clumsy HAND_ to undertake it, nor _such_ as are not thoroughly acquainted with the _Parts_ of Generation: For this _Performance_ requires _Judgment_ and _Prudence_, as well as ART and _Experience_. But however yet in _Case_ of _Necessity_, where no _Extraordinary Person’s Assistance_ can be had, as it often happens in the _Country_, the _Ordinary MIDWIFE_ ought not to neglect her _Duty_: nevertheless, before she offers to attempt this piece of extraordinary _Skill_, she ought to be very certain that these _BONES_ are the great _Impediment_ and _Difficulty_ of the Delivery. [Illustration] CHAP. X. _Of Difficult BIRTHS, proceeding from Causes of the BLADDER and RECTUM_. DIFFICULTY in _BIRTH_ may also proceed from the _BLADDER_, as (in like manner) it may from the _RECTUM_ or _Strait Gut_.