long in the womb afterwards, than a naked man in a heap of snow. Now, these waters, if the child comes presently after them, facilitate the labour, by making the passage slippery; and, therefore, let no midwife (as some have foolishly done) endeavour to force away the water, for nature knows best when the true time of the birth is, and therefore refrains the water till that time. But if by accident the water breaks away too long before the birth, then such things as will hasten may be safely administered, and what these are I will show in another section. SECT. II. _How a woman ought to be ordered when the Time if her Labour is come._ When it is known that the true time of her labour is come by the signs laid down in the foregoing section, of which those that are most to be relied on are pains and strong throes in the abdomen, forcing downwards towards the womb, and a dilation of the inward orifice, which may be perceived by touching it with the finger, and the gathering of the waters before the head of the child, and thrusting down of the membranes which contain them; through which, between the pains, one may in some manner with the finger discover the part which presents (as we said before), especially if it be the head of the child, by its roundness and hardness; I say, if these things concur and are evident, the midwife may be sure it is the time of the woman’s labour; and care must be taken to get all things necessary to comfort her in that time. And the better to help her, be sure to see she be not strait-laced: you may also give her one strong clyster or more, if there be occasion, provided it be done at the beginning, and before the child be too forward; for it will be difficult for her to receive them afterwards. The benefit accruing thereby will be, that they excite her gut to discharge itself of its excrements, that so, the rectum being emptied, there may be more space for the dilation of the passage; likewise to cause the pains to bear the more downward, through endeavours she makes when she is at stool; and in the meantime, all other necessary things for her labour should be put in order, both for the mother and the child. To this end, some get a midwife’s stool; but a pallet-bed, girded, is much the best way, placed near the fire, if the reason require; which pallet ought to be placed, that there may be easy access to it on every side, that the woman may be more readily assisted as there is occasion.