BUT sometimes also this _Difficulty_ happens from the falling down of the _VAGINA_; which _Accident_ may as well precede as follow after the BIRTH, and _that_ by the _Orifice_ of the WOMB pressing _hard_ into that of the _Privities_: So that sometimes, when the _MEMBRANE_ is _broke_, the _Head_ of the _INFANT_, as well as the _Orifice_ of the WOMB, slides down so far, as to hang out of the _Body_; whereby the stressed _Ligaments_ (being too much relaxed) give way to the falling down not only of the _VAGINA_, but also of the WOMB it self. IN this sad _Condition_ the WOMAN must keep her BED, and her _Body_ equally situated, that either the fallen _VAGINA_ or _WOMB_, may recover and be immediately restored to its _proper Place_; which being done, other Matters may be easily prevented by the _Care_ and Diligence of the prudent _MIDWIFE_, stopping and restraining the _Orifice_ of the WOMB before it comes so far to that Extremity: Wherefore _she_ ought to keep it up in the _VAGINA_ (as much as possible) with her HANDS, until the WOMAN has happily extruded both the _CHILD_ and the _AFTER-BIRTH_. UPON This afterwards, _she_ is to use her best Endeavours, to restore both the WOMB and _VAGINA_ to their due _Situation_; laying the _Wrinkles Smooth_ in their proper _Order_, not one upon another, then placing the WOMAN conveniently in BED, with her _Head_ and _Shoulders_ declining, _Exsiccant_ or _drying MEDICINES_ are to be judiciously applied, and _Strengthening_ or _Astringent Fomentations_ often used; whereby (in good Time) _both_ may be again confirmed in their proper Natural _Places_. NOW having thus, in fine, candidly explained the _Different Causes_ of all _Difficult BIRTHS_, and carefully laid down the _genuine Methods_ of correcting and removing them, and consequently of _Delivering_ the good WOMAN successfully in all such nice _Cases_, it remains now in Course that I proceed to—— [Illustration] CHAP. XII. _Of Preternatural BIRTHS._ SUCH _BIRTHS_, (properly speaking) are only _Preternatural_, which degenerate from the _Natural_, in respect either to the _Situation_ of the INFANT, or the WOMB, or of _both_ these jointly: Such (I say) may be well call’d _Preternatural_, because of the imminent Danger that (in these _Conditions_) threatens both the MOTHER and the CHILD. HENCE we find the Difference between _This_ and the _Natural BIRTH_; in as much as the _One_ depends entirely upon ART, and the _Other_ merely upon NATURE: In _That_ the _INFANT_ is artificially extracted by the _Hand_, but in _this_ it is naturally extruded by the _PAINS_.