_Fourth._ To deliver the woman in case of hemorrhage or great flooding; but at the same time there must be no further interference of art; little or nothing can be done toward facilitating the delivery of the child, except when a large bag or collection of water presents and opposes, when it may be ruptured with the longest finger, which often affords much aid, although such is the ignorance and credulity of some women, that they suppose almost everything to be accomplished by art. Physicians or midwives who watch only the process of labor, and do little or nothing, are pronounced inhuman and cruel, and perhaps ignorant, because they are honest in not interfering with the simple and beautiful process of labor, or in other words, for relying upon the great resources of nature: but such is the fashion and credulity of mankind, or rather womankind, that physicians are obliged to take the advantage of such ignorance and credulity, and regulate their proceedings accordingly. We have often been obliged to stand for hours over a woman, under pretence of aiding delivery, when, in _reality_, we did nothing at all. The labor would have progressed just as well had we been out of the room; but this deception we have been obliged to practise, in order to satisfy ignorant, gossiping, or crying attendants. When the woman is disposed to make much noise, she should be directed to hold her breath during the pains, and aid or assist them by pressing downward as much as possible. The feet may press against the bed-post, and the woman take hold of a handkerchief and pull when a pain occurs; or she may grasp the hand of an assistant for that purpose. Sometimes, from various causes, labor is very much retarded, from rigidity of the parts, the situation of the child, debility, &c.; when this occurs, and labor is tedious and protracted, our reliance must still be upon the powers of nature. We may, however, aid her efforts, by warm fomentations of _bitter herbs_, often applied to the lower part of the belly, which will prove relaxing, and will facilitate the labor; warm diluent drinks may also be given, such as _tansy_, _pennyroyal_, _&c._ If the labor still continues stationary, we have nothing to fear, provided there is a right presentation; but should the pains become feeble or lessened from flooding, debility, or any cause, or should they prove unavailable, after a reasonable length of time, a drachm of _spurred rye_ or _ergot_ may be put into a tea-cup, and a gill of boiling water poured upon it, and, when cool, a tablespoonful given every fifteen minutes. This will increase the pains, and speedily accomplish a delivery; but it should be very seldom, or never, used, except when there is a right presentation, and under the most urgent circumstances.