IN which _Case_, the _MIDWIFE_, having timely discover’d this _Situation_ by the TOUCH, ought immediately (upon the flowing of the _Waters_) to bend the HEAD gently _forwards_ to the BREAST, all the while adverting to handle the FACE, especially the _Nose_ and _Eyes_, very tenderly: And to this End, the _Woman_ may be laid down on her _Back_, with her _Head_ low; by no means _labouring_ with the _PAINS_, before the HEAD of the _CHILD_ is so conveniently turned: which may be thus most properly perform’d; _viz._ By laying the Palm of the _Hand_ on the _INFANT_’s _Breast_, near its _Throat_, pressing it entirely _back_ towards the _Fund_ of the WOMB; by which means the HEAD falls _forwards_ of its own Accord upon the _MIDWIFE_’s _Arm_, and _she_ with-drawing her _Hand_, will find the HEAD _well turn’d_. BUT supposing the HEAD to be very strictly bent or pressed _back_, then the _MIDWIFE_ is to attract it gently _forwards_ by her _Thumb_, or _Fore-Finger_ thrust into its MOUTH; or by the Points of all _Four_ thrust betwixt the WOMB and the _back Part_ of the HEAD. And thus, in fine, the HEAD being _well Turned_, and dextrously brought into the _Passage_; the _Woman_ is then to be placed commodiously for _BIRTH_, and to labour her _Best_ as in other _Cases_. HOWEVER to this _Case_, I must add, by way of _Remark_ for the _MIDWIFE_’s farther Information and better Government, that, if the HEAD is not brought into the _Passage_, as soon as the _Waters_ have flow’d, it commonly happens, that the HANDS offer themselves _first_; which if she do not instantly repel, the HEAD is turn’d up _forwards_ with the FACE, near the _Chin_, upon the OS PUBIS; in which _Condition_, by reason of the _Siccity_ and _Contraction_ of the WOMB, the only Expedient is to _thrust back_ the ARMS, and so passing the _Hand_ under the _CHILD_’S _Breast_, to take hold of, and extract it by the FEET. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAP. XIV. _Of Præternatural BIRTHS, by the Hand, Elbow, Shoulder, Knees, or Buttocks presenting first._ THE _CHILD_ also sometimes offers itself _preternaturally_ to the _Orifice_, with its HAND, ELBOW, SHOULDER, KNEES, or BUTTOCKS _first_: In which _Condition_, the HAND always gives an easier _BIRTH_ than the ELBOW, the ELBOW than the SHOULDER, the SHOULDER than the KNEES, and the KNEES than the BUTTOCKS: For the HAND being commonly placed near the _Head_, it is no great Wonder, if it presents itself _before_, or _along_ with it; as sometimes (after _Flooding_) the HAND may slide together with the _Head_ obliquely to either _Side_, and thereby either ELBOW or SHOULDER unfortunately fall into the _Passage_.