“HE bewails and is asham’d (as he expresseth it) to think how _frivolous_ the _ORIGIN_ of the _proudest of Creatures_ is; such a mere TRIFLE (as is mentioned) being frequently the _Cause_ of his _FATALITY_. And the _Philosopher_ most pertinently adds, that _He_ who now glories in so many _VANITIES_, trusting in the _Strength_ of his _Body_, vaunting in the _Riches_ of his _Possessions_, and upon every _Smile of Fortune_, believes himself to be a GOD, _&c._ little considers how many ways he might have _miscarried_ in coming into the World, or how many ways he may yet, even to-day, go out of it, and come to his _last GASP_, as _Anacreon_, the wanton _Lyrick Poet_, did, who was suddenly choak’d with the STONE _of a Grape_; or as _Fabius_ (that noble _Dictator_ of ROME) dy’d, who was immediately strangl’d by a _HAIR_ in a _Draught of Milk_.” I say, _He_ little considers, how many _Trials_ and _Hardships_ he was expos’d to, before he had BEING: or, how many ways he might have been _stifled_ before he had BREATH, and have been _dead_ even before he was BORN. WHICH Consideration leads me to the Thought of _another Cause_ of _ABORTION_, mentioned by the holy Prophet[100]_Hosea_, where he says: “_Because they have deeply corrupted themselves, and separated themselves unto that Shame at_ Baalpeor, (i. e. defiled themselves at the _Statues_ of PRIAPUS) _their Glory shall fly away like a Bird, from the_ Womb, _from the_ Conception, _and from the_ Birth; _dry Breasts, and a miscarrying_ Womb _shall be given them_, &c.” AND having thus far briefly defin’d and descanted upon _ABORTION_, and the _Nature_ of its _Efficients_, I come now, in the next place, to shew by what _DIAGNOSTICK SIGNS_, every _Woman_ may infallibly know an approaching or instant _MISCARRIAGE_, either in _herself_ or _another_: As also to set forth, by what _PROGNOSTICK SIGNS_, she may know the _Danger_ she is threatned with upon that Occasion. WHICH Undertaking, I hope, may prove _conducive_ to the Welfare of that tender SEX; it being too common for _Women_ to neglect the _proper Means_, through a supine _Ignorance_ of the _Nature_, and _Danger_ of their _CONDITION_. But This, however, is generally owing to indiscreet OLD WOMEN about them; (as I have often observ’d, and oft’ner had Occasion to hear) who either keep the _PATIENT_ in _Suspence_, wheedling and telling her idle Stories, that the CASE is not so _dangerous_, the _Pains_, _Floodings_, &c. will go off in good Time, and the like: Or afterwards (upon appearance of more severe growing SYMPTOMS) they extenuate the _Danger_, telling her to submit with _Patience_, the common MISFORTUNE cannot possibly be prevented, _&c._