FIRST I would endeavour to awaken and promote the _PAINS_, by one or more sharp and strong _Clysters_: But SECONDLY, if _these_ do not succeed so expeditiously as necessary, I would introduce my _Hand_ into the WOMB, sliding it all along under the BELLY towards the FEET; and so, with _Face_ and _Breast_ downwards, I would gently extract it by them; in the same manner, as if it was ALIVE. Only, in this _Case_, great _Care_ must be taken, that the HEAD may not unhappily _sever_ itself from the _Body_, and consequently _stay behind_ in the WOMB; which Accident may easily happen in the _Passage_, especially if the _BIRTH_ is any ways _putrefy’d_. HOWEVER, after all, in _Case_ of such an untoward _Occurrence_, I would still excuse myself from the _Use_ of an EDUCTOR, and debar myself from the Practice of any _Instrument_ whatsoever, save only that of my own natural HAND; which, I think, in all _Conditions_ of _BIRTHS_, whether _Natural_ or _Preternatural_, _Dead_ or _Alive_, is solely _obliged_, and only best serves, according to the _Rules_ of my _Profession_, to discharge the _Duty_ of all the _INSTRUMENTS_ in the _Surgeon’s Shop_; excepting only in the _Case_ of a _MONSTER_ or a very _Hydropical CHILD_. BUT in the present _Circumstance_ of the HEAD’s being separated from the _Body_, as soon as I have extracted the _CARCASE_, as above; I would instantly convey back my _Hand_ into the _WOMB_, and put one or two of its _Fingers_ into the _Mouth_ of the _HEAD_, placing my _Thumb_ under the _Chin_: For by _thus_ taking Hold of it by the _Jaw_, I would extract it gently, and _that_ with the greatest _Ease_ and _Safety_ to the _PATIENT Woman_. NOW having thus, in fine, both particularly and at large, treated of the several _Sorts_ of _Natural_, _Difficult_, and _Preternatural BIRTHS_: And having also for the common _Good of Mankind_, without any Affectation, Hesitation, or Reservation, candidly laid down, and ingenuously set forth the most _certain_, _brief_, _plain_, _easy_, and _unprejudiced INSTRUCTIONS_, which perhaps have ever yet been committed to PRINT, upon the excellent _Subject_ of _MIDWIFERY_: And having likewise, in a Word _lastly_, for the true _Direction_ and good _Government_ of all _MIDWIVES_, fairly laid (as it were) and faithfully _delivered_ the _big-belly’d Woman_, in every relative _Case_ or _Condition_ of _BIRTH_, which may or can happen to her: It now only remains, I would modestly think, that I should (in the next place) come to take all the necessary _Care_, and make the most requisite _Provision_ possible for the perfect _Recovery_ of my CHILD-BED-WOMAN; and _that_ in the ensuing _Method_. [Illustration] [Illustration] SECT. VI. [Illustration] CHAP. I. _Of the DIET and REGIMEN of the Puerperial or Child-Bed-Woman._