each other, they would probably slip, or there would be a failure of some kind in the operation, as the bulk of the head would not be included, or they would be fixed on some improper part of the head; though allowance is to be made for the difference in the size of the heads of children. But if a case be proper for the forceps, if they be well applied, and we were to act slowly with them, there would not be much risk of failure or disappointment. The difficulty of applying the forceps is most frequently occasioned by attempting to apply them too soon, or by passing them in a wrong direction, or by entangling the soft parts of the mother between the instrument and the head of the child, against all which accidents we are to be on our guard. "When the forceps are first locked, they are placed backwards, with the lock close to, or just within, the internal surface of the perineum; and they can have no support backwards, except the little which is afforded by the soft parts. The first action with them should therefore be made by bringing the handles, grasped firmly in one or both hands, to prevent the instrument from playing upon the head of the child, slowly towards the pubes till they come to a full rest. Having waited a short interval with them in that situation, the handles must be carried back in the same slow but steady manner to the perineum, exerting, as they are carried in the different situations, a certain degree of extracting force; and after waiting another interval, they are again to be carried towards the pubes, according to the direction of the handles. Throughout the operation, especially the first part, the action of that blade of the forceps originally applied towards the pubes must be stronger and more extensive than the action with the other blade, this having no fulcrum to support it, and chiefly answering the purpose of regulating the action of the other blade. If there were any labor pains when the operation was begun, or should they come on in the course of it, the forceps should only be acted with during the continuance of the pains; the intention being, not only to supply the want or insufficiency of the pains, but to follow them, and imitate also the manner in which they return. By a few repetitions of this alternate action and rest before described, we shall soon be sensible of the descent of the head; and it will be proper to examine very frequently, to know the progress made, that we may not use more force than needful, nor go on with more haste than may be expedient or safe. In every case we ought to proceed slowly and circumspectly, not forgetting that a small degree of force, continued for a long time, will in general be equivalent to a greater force hastily exerted, and with infinitely less detriment to the mother or child. But after some time, should we not perceive the head to descend, the force hitherto used must be gradually increased,