BY this regular _Method_, in fine, the _HEAD_ and _both ARMS_ pass thro’ the _Orifice_ at once, and that without the least _Danger_; because the _Smoothness_ of the _TEMPLES_ affords always sufficient _Room_ for the _ARMS_, as the _Orifice_ relaxes and dilates, as has been already observed[175]. Now _this_, in short, I take, with Submission, to be the only genuine _METHOD_ of perfecting a successful _DELIVERY_ in the present _preternatural Condition_, whether the _BIRTH_ be _Dead_ or _Alive_: So that hence I proceed in course to—— [Illustration] CHAP. XXI. _Of Præternatural BIRTHS, from the WOMB’s inclining to either Side._ THO’ the _WOMB_ may be _obliquated_ (as has been said) either to the _right_ or _left Side_; yet, to abbreviate this Work, I shall contract _both Situations_ into _one_; and because the ingenious _Reader_ may easily apply what is said of the _one_ to the _other_, I shall only treat of that inclining to the _right Side_. THE most difficult _Posture_ of this kind is, when the _Bottom_ of the _WOMB_ is placed deeper in the _right Side_ towards the LOINS, tending more to the _Back_ than the _Forepart_. Which the MIDWIFE may know to distinguish by the following _Signs_; namely, 1. By the _Place_ where the Woman feels the _INFANT_ move most. 2. By that part of the _Belly_ which is most pointed and hard on the _Outside_. 3. By trying the Woman in the beginning of the _Labour_, before the _Pains_ have moved the _WOMB_ out of its Place, she will find the _Orifice_ of the _WOMB_ suspended higher, compressed to the _Spine_ of the left _OS PUBIS_ or _COXENDICIS_; by which means the said _Orifice_ cannot be _touched_ without Difficulty; and by no means the _whole_ of it, but only the _lower Border_. 4. She will find the _INFANT’s Head_ thro’ the _WOMB_ and _VAGINA_ (tho’ not bare) laid _a-cross_ the _PELVIS_, but cannot come at the _lower Part_ of it; only with one or more _Fingers_, she may sometimes penetrate betwixt the _Spine_ of the said Bones, and touch the _VERTEX_. BY these _Signs_ the _MIDWIFE_ soon finds her _Task_ most heavy and perplexed; for from thence proceeds the following _Difficulties_. I. IN this _Posture_ the _INFANT’s Head_ (as soon as it makes the lead _Apertion_ of the _Orifice_) is fixed upon the _Spine_ of the left _OS PUBIS_ or _COXENDICIS_; and the _Head_ thus fixed cannot pass forwards, because those _Bones_ cannot give way: From hence arise the _Aquæ Furtivæ_, or a flowing of the _Waters_ by Stealth, or as it were, by _Distillation_; the _Orifice_ as well as the _INFANT’s Head_ being shut up by the said _Bones_, so that neither the _Head_ nor the _Humours_ can open it; save only a little on the _lower Side_: Where the _Waters_, by pressing the _Membranes_ downwards in an _acute Form_, break thro’ that _acuminated_ Part as they also force the _Head_ upwards, near to the _Border_ of the said BONES.