While conversing with the patient, much useful information may be gained. The general state of her health, the nature of her pains, and the time they first commenced, should all be known; and if she has had children before, it will be highly useful to know what kind of a labor she had; whether it was long or short, easy or difficult, and particularly if attended with any accident likely to occur again. It need scarcely be remarked that great caution is needed in these cases, many eminent men having been deceived as to the patient's condition, as already stated in our chapter on the signs of pregnancy. And many times the doctor has been summoned under the supposition that labor had begun, while it was yet far off. The pains may be false ones, such as frequently occur towards the end of pregnancy, and may all pass away. These false pains, however, can usually be distinguished, being continuous and irregular, while the true ones intermit with periods of almost perfect ease, and are tolerably regular. The false pains are also felt in various parts, while the true ones are chiefly fixed in the uterus and vagina. Sometimes, however, the difficulty in distinguishing them is very great, and the accoucheur has often waited for several hours and even days; the labor meanwhile making no progress; and eventually all has passed off, and the patient has risen again from her bed. I know one case, where a gentleman attended nearly _three days_, at the end of which time the patient _rose and walked down stairs_. She was not put to bed till _six weeks after_. I can scarcely think, however, that these mistakes can happen very frequently, if the examination be properly conducted. PREPARATIONS FOR THE DELIVERY. If it appears from the examination that labor has really commenced, or is about to do so, everything should be at once prepared. All useless persons should leave the room, and also those who would be likely to alarm or grieve the patient by uttering cries, or exhibiting fear; but no objection should be made to any one being present whom she wishes to see, unless they cannot be depended upon. Thus some females always wish to have their husbands with them, but others do not, though they are averse to saying so. In these cases the accoucheur, if he be an attentive observer, will soon see what is really desired by his patient, and will manage matters accordingly. The dress of the female should be perfectly loose, consisting of a wrapper or night-gown, but sufficiently complete and warm to allow of her getting up to walk in the chamber, if she desires it, as some do. No corsets, garters, or other tight bandages, however, should be allowed.