About the fourth or fifth day the portion of the cord above the knot usually separates and falls off, if it has not already done so. If the navel is inflamed, or suppurates, a little simple ointment may be rubbed on, and it should be regularly and carefully washed. In some infants it swells out very much, in which case a pad should be made of soft linen, and laid upon it, over which the ordinary bandage may be drawn. The complete healing of the part does not occur till about the twelfth day, and the bandage must be carefully worn till then at least, and is better continued a little longer, particularly if there is any swelling, or if the child cries much, or strains. CONCLUDING REMARKS. From the explanations given above of an ordinary natural labor, it will be evident that but little manual assistance is required, either to the mother or the child, and also what really is called for is of so simple a character as to be easily rendered. It would undoubtedly be improper, and cruel, to leave females at such times without aid altogether; but it is also equally improper and injurious to interfere too much. Excepting in cases of disease and deformity, or of very unfavorable presentations of the fœtus, Nature herself will nearly always effect the delivery; and much better, in most cases, when left to herself. Numerous females and infants have been _killed_, and still more have been grievously injured for life, by rude and uncalled for manipulations; so that it has been a question with some accoucheurs, of great experience, whether as many would die, or seriously suffer, from receiving _no assistance_, as do now from being improperly handled. Without going so far, it is undoubtedly true that great mischief is done in this way, which can only be prevented by both accoucheur and patient bearing in mind that _Nature herself is usually competent_, and at most only requires skillful and gentle _assistance_. Some practitioners seem to think that labor is a mere _mechanical_ process, like the removal of a block of stone, and hence they depend altogether upon _force_; overlooking altogether the wonderful vital powers inherent in the system, which operate with such certainty, and yet so safely; and which frequently succeed of themselves when brute force is completely foiled.