THEN the parturient _Woman being so placed_, the _MIDWIFE_ (using both _Hands_) ought to clear the WOMB, together with the _Head_ of the INFANT, by putting the _one_ up, as far as there’s occasion, into the VAGINA, and laying the _other_ upon the _Woman_’s BELLY, in manner following: _viz._—— THE _Hand_ in the VAGINA is (by having two or three of its _Fingers Ends_ extended to the upper Border of the _Orifice_ of the WOMB) to move it a little beyond the _Head_ of the _CHILD_, and to direct it into the _Mouth_ of the PELVIS, so that it may fall the more readily down into the design’d Place. But in this critical Juncture the _MIDWIFE_ must always take special _Care_ not to squeeze or press the _Top_ of the HEAD too much, nor to handle it too hard, lest _She_ should thereby _wound_, if not also _kill_ the INFANT. AGAIN the Business of the _other Hand_, used externally, is to _drive back_ the WOMB, by pressing the _Abdomen_; which must be perform’d also with great Caution and Judgement, not by drawing the HAND from _above downwards_, but pressing as much as the _Woman_ can bear it, from _below upwards_; so that (if possible) the WOMB may be thereby _resupin’d_ or turn’d _backwards_. Minding always, by the way, that THIS _Pressure_ of the WOMB is not to be attempted, before the _one Hand_ is first conveniently placed _within_. But if all _This Menage_ should not yet succeed the _first time_ according to Wish, then it may be safely repeated again by turns so often, until the _MIDWIFE_ feels the _Crown_ of the HEAD; that is to say, till _She_ feels the Borders of the _Orifice_ quite round about _hanging over the Entrance of the_ PELVIS. Upon which happy _Discovery_, she may with reason rejoice in her _Labour_, and be heartily glad of her good _Success_: Because now the _Force_ of good depressing PAINS only will effectually perfect the Work. BUT before Matters are happily brought this prepared _Length_, the _bearing Woman_ is upon no account to begin her _LABOUR_; since _That_ would not only be in _vain_, and otherways debilitate the Strength of her Body; but also be of great _Hindrance_ to the MIDWIFE (to whom all the _LABOUR_ hitherto belongs) who, as _she_ feels the _PAINS_ growing and rushing in upon the _Woman_, before their proper Time, ought to charge her strictly, to forbear _working_ along with them, and as much as possible to abstain from any _co-operating Depression_. And in fine, as the _MIDWIFE_ by having her _Hand_ diligently apply’d to the _Orifice_ of the WOMB, by strict Attention, may most commonly observe, and previously discern the approaching _PAINS_, before the Patient _Woman_ herself can be sensible of them: So she ought also for her _own helping Part_, _ex Officio_, to be quiet and attempt nothing till _Then_, but take her convenient _Opportunities_, always as soon as the _PAINS_ are over.