V. MOREOVER it likewise sometimes happens, that the _STRING_ comes along with the _Shoulder_, _Elbow_, _Hand_, _Foot_, &c. without touching the _HEAD_: Upon this then as soon as the _Humours_ have flow’d, I would pass my _Hand_ quickly up, and bring the _CHILD_, _Head_ or _Feet foremost_ into the _Passage_, according to its _Situation_, always detaining or stopping the _STRING_ from coming out before the _BIRTH_: Whereas if the _STRING_ be already excluded along with the _Foot_ or the _Arm_, it is to be _repelled_ with all necessary Speed, Conduct, and Caution, and then the _INFANT_ ought to be dextrously drawn out by the _Feet_. VI. I have also seen the _CHILD_ brought forth by the _HEAD_, with the _Umbilical_ circumvolv’d, or turn’d twice or thrice round the _NECK_; by which means of the _STRING_’s being so much shortned, the _BIRTH_ was stopped or retained in the _Passage_: Upon this Occasion, I endeavour’d to slacken the _STRING_, and so bring it over the _HEAD_, but finding it too _strait_ and _short_ to be so ordered, I _tied_ it in two places (at about two or three _Inches_ distance) and then _cut it in two_ betwixt the _Ligatures_: That being done, it was my Business to lose no Time in attracting the _INFANT_ and delivering the _WOMAN_; otherways in this _Condition_, it would have soon expired. [Illustration] CHAP. XXV. _Of Preternatural BIRTHS, from the AFTER-BIRTH’s coming first into the PASSAGE._ ANOTHER _Preternatural Accident_ to which the _BIRTH_ is also sometimes liable, is the _Falling down of the_ PLACENTA into the _Orifice_ of the WOMB; which of course must needs obstruct the _Passage_, and prevent the timely _Egress_ of the _INFANT_. NOW tho’ the ignorant MIDWIFE often occasions this untoward _Accident_ by her own unskilful and imprudent _Treatment_, or rough and indecent _Usage_; yet the Ingenious _MIDWIFE_ discovers this _Case_ in time by _two_ certain different _Ways_: Namely, FIRST, by the TOUCH, when she can neither feel the _MEMBRANE_, nor the naked _HEAD_; but (on the contrary) perceives a thick, soft, fleshy, boneless _Substance_: SECONDLY, by a _Bloody Flooding_, which constantly attends this _Condition_; whereby both the _MOTHER_ and the _CHILD_ are imminently endangered, as is already more abundantly set forth[180]: Unless the skilful _MIDWIFE_ can prevent the fatal _Consequence_, by accelerating the _BIRTH_; which, however yet, is not to be rashly attempted without due Circumspection.