WHEREFORE in this difficult _Preternatural Condition_, the _MIDWIFE_ ought primarily and chiefly to consider and discover the _Posture_ of the WOMB, whether it be _direct_ or _oblique_; since according to THAT _she_ must proceed in assisting her _Woman_ with true Discretion. As for _Example_, if _she_ finds it in a streight or _natural State_, and the _Waters_ sufficiently exuberant, extended _length-ways_, &c. as aforesaid, _She_ must, without _Loss of Time_, break the _MEMBRANE_, and presently, removing all _Impediments_ of _HAND_, _FOOT_, or _NAVEL-STRING_, judiciously direct the _HEAD_ into the _Passage_; which may be very easily and safely done immediately upon the FLOODING. Whereas if _this Method_ be delay’d, or not taken in _due Time_, and consequently the _HANDS_ (as the readiest) present themselves to the _Orifice first_: In this _Condition_, I would lay the _Woman_ discreetly upon her _Back_, with the _upper Part_ of her Body _lowest_; after which, I would move the _INFANT_’s _Hands_ back with my _own_; whereby at the same time bringing its _FEET_ into the _Passage_, I would in the next Place gently extract the whole Body with all possible _Conduct_ and _Success_. [Illustration] CHAP. XVI. _Of Preternatural BIRTHS, by the Feet presenting first._ IN like manner again, it often happens, that the _CHILD_ offers its _FEET foremost_; which next to a _Natural BIRTH_ is the most easy and safe _Position_, however I have been oblig’d to postpone it to the _rest_, for Method’s sake: In this _Case_, the _MIDWIFE_, observing _one FOOT_ presenting itself in the _Passage_ after _FLOODING_, ought to stop and retain it _there_, that it may not slide through, until _she_ meets with the _other_. In order to which Performance, _she_ must immediately seek for _it_, with either _Hand_, according as she perceives the _INFANT_’s great _Toe_ situated, since it is only to be sought for along its _Side_; and being found, it is to be gently _drawn down_, and placed near its _Fellow_ in the _Passage_. BUT it falls out sometimes, that the _MIDWIFE_ comes too late, and finds _one LEG_ so far through, that the BUTTOCKS are strictly confin’d: In this _Condition_, I would advise to lay the _Woman_ conveniently upon her _Back_, with her _Head_ low, that both the WOMB and the CHILD may _retreat_ a little; then taking hold of the _right LEG_ with my _Right Hand_, I would thrust the _INFANT back_, till the whole FOOT (or at least the KNEE) is brought back into the _Orifice_ of the WOMB, in order that I may have the more _Room_ for passing my _Hand_ along the _LEG_: By which means I get hold of the _other_ FOOT; and bringing it also into the _Passage_, I place it along with the _other_, that both may come forth successfully together.