HOWEVER in the _Child-bearing Woman_, the least Degree of such immoderate _WATCHING_[73] is dangerous; insomuch that it often occasions _Deliriums_, and _Convulsions_, by the continual Stretch and _Tension_ of the FIBRES. HOWEVER the CURE of this _SYMPTOM_ may (I hope) be well perform’d both by _external_ and _internal Means_; externally, by proper _Lotions_, _Inunctions_, and _Frictions_; internally, by proper Soporiferous _Medicines_ adapted to the Quality of the Intemperature. [Illustration] CHAP. XVII. _Of PAINS in the Hips, Loins_, &c. ALTHOUGH these _PAINS_ (in general Terms) are the _Effects_ of the _Compression_ of the extended WOMB, hanging on, and bearing too much upon the neighbouring _Parts_, by its Gravity and Weight: Yet the particular _Cause_ of such _SYMPTOMS_ (in my Opinion) is _Two-fold_; and proceeds either from the Abundance of BLOOD lodging in the _Veins_ of those Parts; or from the growing FOETUS, so extending the _Ligaments_ of the WOMB, as to oblige the neighbouring Parts to sympathize. From hence the _broad Ligaments_ cause the _PAINS_ of the _Back_ and _Loins_, answering to the _Reins_, to which _Parts_ they are strongly fixed; as the _round Ones_ affect the _Groins_, _Hips_, and _Thighs_, where they terminate. Which _Ligaments_ are sometimes so violently extended, especially in the first Time of _Pregnancy_, that (by the Concurrence of any slight _procatarctick Cause_) they have been often known to break. THE _Cure_ of these _SYMPTOMS_, in the _first Case_ above-mentioned, depends chiefly upon cautious _Phlebotomy_, and good _Repose_ in Bed; and in the _Second_, upon proper _Swathes_, _Unguents_, &c. [Illustration] CHAP. XVIII. _Of HÆMORRHAGIES, or BLEEDINGS._ THESE _Symptoms_ are to be understood to happen only from the superiour Parts; as _Nostrils_, _Mouth_, or _Ears_: And the _Cause_ seems to be _Three-fold_: proceeding either from a more than ordinary _Plenty_ of BLOOD; or from a gross Mixture of _Humours_ and BLOOD, prompting Nature to _Excretion_; or, lastly, from a _Debility_ and _Weakness_ of the INFANT, when not able to attract the due Quantity of BLOOD to its _Subsistence_. IN the _first Case_, the _Woman_ usually looks _sanguine_ and well-colour’d, and hath more _Plethorick Marks_ upon her; which, if it happens, without any great _Inconvenience_, as it is without _Danger_, the _Woman_ may easily bear and dispense with it. IN the _second Case_, the BLOOD so lost falls dropping away, and with _Pain_; it is ugly and _ill-colour’d_, of an _acid Quality_, and _stinking Smell_: And the PATIENT hath more _Cacochymic Signs_ upon her, whereby she is threatned with _Abortion_ and imminent Danger.