BY this sort of _BIRTHS_, I mean such as are _Preternatural_, both in respect of the _Situation_ of the _CHILD_, and of the WOMB. Which complicated _Preternatural BIRTH_ is (of all _others_) the most dangerous; because of an _Indefinity_ of Accidents and Difficulties with which it is always attended, according to the many various _Postures_ in which both the _INFANT_ and the WOMB are found: All which to enumerate here, and to guard particularly against them, as I have done in the preceeding _Cases_, would not only augment the _Bulk_ and _Charge_ of this _WORK_, but also be in some respect altogether _Needless_: Because if I was to content my self to treat this _Chapter_ in _general_ (without descending to _particular_) _TERMS_, I would not doubt but that the ingenious _Reader_ would even thence readily form a clear _IDEA_ of all such _BIRTHS_, from the many different _Cases_ already stated and discussed; which if thoroughly well understood, the Rest cannot but be easily comprehended. HOWEVER, that I may not leave the weaker _Capacity_, or the doubtful _MIDWIFE_ to the Uncertainties of her own scrupulous _Judgement_, I shall propose and resolve some of the most difficult and dangerous _Cases_ belonging to this _preternatural Subject_, and _that_ as far as is really requisite, in manner following; _viz._—— I. WE Shall suppose that the _INFANT_ is ill-turned, and presents itself _preternaturally_, with FACE, CHIN, HAND, ELBOW, SHOULDER, BREAST, BACK, BELLY, SIDE, BUTTOCK, KNEE, FOOT, or any _other Part_ or _Member_ first, in a WOMB tending _obliquely forwards_. In this _Condition_, I shall _first_ show the _MIDWIFE_ how, and by what _Signs_, she may know and discover such perverse _Postures_; and _secondly_ how, and by what Means, _These_ may be rectify’d, the _CHILD_ extricated, and the _MOTHER_ reliev’d in Life. THEN as to the _First Point_, I would have it minded, that the TOUCH is the only _Expedient_, by which the _Situation_ of the _INFANT_ in any WOMB, whether _Oblique_ or _Direct_, is to be discover’d and perfectly known. Which when the _MIDWIFE_ finds to be _preternatural_, she needs not much trouble herself about what _precise Part_ offers or comes _first_ in the _PASSAGE_: Because of this short _Rule_, which I would not have her to forget; namely, That, when the HEAD does not present itself _first_ in this complicated _Case_, the _CHILD_ is to be drawn out by the _FEET_. For in this ill _Position_ of both the _INFANT_ and the _WOMB_, the _Version_ of the _CHILD_ succeeds more easily than if the HEAD was _foremost_: Wherefore I would lose no Time, but as Soon as I had discover’d all _Circumstances_ aright, I would commence my Business upon this Occasion, before either the _MOTHER_ or the _INFANT_ are much spent, that I may perform my _Work_, while they both can mutually concur with me towards their own _Relief_; That is, while the WOMB is yet suspended in the _upper Part_ of the PELVIS, and the _Membrane_ not yet broken.