WE are in this place only to consider the _Acute Distempers_ of the _Puerperial Woman_, because the Time of _lying-in_ is not of such a long _Continuance_ as to admit of _Chronick Diseases_: And these _Acute Ones_, in short, which they are most commonly subject to, are continual FEVERS, (Either, 1. _Essential_, that is, FEVERS proceeding first from the BLOOD; or, 2. _Symptomatick_ FEVERS, that is, such as follow upon the internal _Inflammations_, which often attend the _Child-Bed-Woman_;) as also _Frenzies_, _Watchings_, _Lethargies_, _Convulsions_, _Epilepsies_, &c.— BUT more especially there is _one_ particular kind of FEVER, which invades almost all labouring _Women_ the third or fourth Day after the _BIRTH_, and is commonly call’d the _MILK-FEVER_; because about that time, the _MILK_ begins to generate more plentifully in the BREASTS, taking its _Rise_ from the Motion and Agitation of the BLOOD, which converts it from the WOMB to the BREASTS. This _Distemper_, resolving itself about the ninth Day by SWEAT, is of no dangerous _Consequence_; provided the _PATIENT_ observes a good and proper DIET, and duly prevents all _Cold_, that might readily stop the SWEAT, and carefully preserves the MILK from _coagulating_ or _putrefying_ in her BREASTS, whence the _Symptomatick FEVERS_ commonly arise: Wherefore, I say, this _MILK-FEVER_, being of the extended _Ephemerick_ Sort, and ceasing of itself, requires no great _Cure_. ONLY in this _Case_, it is a vulgar _Error_ among the _good Women_, that because this _FEVER_ lasts only four or five Days at most, coming on about the fourth, and ending about the ninth Day after the _BIRTH_, they take all _Fevers_ in this time, for the _MILK-FEVER_; and consequently thro’ this _Mistake_, neglecting, or not regarding duly the true _Condition_, the PATIENT is very often endanger’d: Which _Mistake_, that they may for the future diligently avoid, I shall subjoin here some certain SIGNS of _Distinction_ in due Course. But previously—— THE _Causes_ of all _FEVERS_ incident to the _Child-Bed-Woman_, are either the _Suppression_ of the LOCHIA in whole or in part; or the vitious _Quality_ of the _Humours_ accumulated in _Gestation_, and exasperated in the BIRTH; or a vitious irregular _DIET_ in the time of _lying-in_; or the cold AIR, or any such _Accident_ by bad Management, may readily convert the _MILK-FEVER_ into a putrid and dangerous _one_; as a latent _CACOCHYMY_ may also easily dispose it to _Corruption_. THE true _DIAGNOSTICKS_, in my Opinion, are as follow, _viz._ FIRST, the _MILK-FEVER_ is known from hence, that it always begins about the _Fourth Day_, when the _BREASTS_ begin to fill with _MILK_; and then the _LOCHIA_ flowing regularly, the _Woman_ finds a certain _Gravity_ or Weight in her _Back_ and _Shoulders_.