_Preternatural labor, or cross-births_, are those in which some other part than the head presents. We cannot in general assign any reason for such occurrences, nor can the woman, by any sensation of her own, be assured that the presentation is unusual. Apprehensions of this kind should not be indulged in. If the feet or breech present, the delivery is to be accomplished by properly accommodating the position of the child to the capacity of the pelvis, but no force should be employed; and though there is always some risk to the life of the infant, yet there is none to the mother. If the arm, shoulder, or sides of the child present, the delivery is not impossible, but difficult, until the infant be turned and the feet, brought down into the passage. This is an operation which may be done with comparative ease and safety, if the wrong position of the infant be discovered before the waters are discharged; but other wise both mother and child are in considerable danger, though there is often a spontaneous evolution, and delivery is effected. The womb closely contracting round the body of the infant when the water is drained away, and being soft and spongy in its texture, it is liable to be torn if much force be employed, and then either the child may escape into the cavity of the belly, or, if it be extracted by the feet, blood may be effused from the womb into that cavity, and such injury be done as to prove fatal. Women too frequently add to the danger of the operation of turning, by their restlessness and impatience; they should remember how much is at stake, and exert all their fortitude, so as not to embarrass the practitioner. The labor having been thus accomplished, it will be necessary to guard against any subsequent symptoms which may occur or take place. In _tedious_ and very _difficult_ labors, and where common physicians use the lancet, the hot bath will be found of extraordinary benefit in facilitating labor, by its relaxing the system without debility; altogether better than bleeding. First apply spirits, water, and salt to the head; then let the woman continue in the bath about fifteen minutes. * * * * * _Still-born Infants._—This occurs from difficult labors, or the cord encircling the neck; or a membrane may cover the head or body. When anything of the kind occurs, the membrane should be immediately removed. If no signs of life appear, the infant may be put into the warm bath, and the mouth and body wiped dry. A little cold water may be dashed into the face, the lungs inflated by some person, and a slight motion made upon the chest in imitation of breathing. The navel-string may be permitted to bleed a little. TREATMENT AFTER DELIVERY.