Having thus told you what I mean by natural labour, I shall next show how the midwife is to proceed therein, in order to the woman’s delivery. When all the foregoing requisites concur, and after the waters be broke of themselves, let there rather be a quilt upon the pallet bedstead than a feather bed, having thereon linen, and cloths in many folds, with other such things as are necessary, and that may be changed according to the exigency requiring it, so that the woman may not be incommoded with the blood, waters, and other filth which are voided in labour. The bed ought so to be ordered, that the woman, being ready to be delivered, should lie on her back upon it, having her body in a convenient posture; that is, her head and breast a little raised, so that she be between lying and sitting; for being so placed, she is best capable of breathing, and likewise will have more strength to bear her pains than if she lays otherwise, or sunk down in bed. Being so placed, she must spread her thighs abroad, folding her legs a little towards her loins, somewhat raised by a small pillow underneath, to the end her groin should have more liberty to retire back; and let her feet be stayed against some firm thing: besides this, let her take hold of some of the good women attending her with her hands, that she may the better stay herself during her pains. She being thus placed at the side of her bed, having her midwife at hand the better to assist as nature requires, let her take courage, and help her pains the best she can, bearing them down when they take her, which she must do by holding her breath, and forcing them as much as possible, in like manner as when she goes to stool; for by such straining, the diaphragm, or midriff, being strongly thrust downwards, necessarily forces down the womb and the child in it. In the meantime, let the midwife endeavour to comfort her all she can, exhorting her to bear her labour courageously, telling her it will be quickly over, and that there is no fear but she will have a speedy delivery. Let her midwife also, having no rings on her fingers, anoint them with oil of fresh butter, and thereby dilate gently the inward orifice of the womb, putting her finger ends into the entry thereof, and then stretch them one from the other, when her pains take her; by this means endeavouring to help forward the child, and thrusting, by little and little, the sides of the orifice towards the hinder part of the child’s head, anointing it with fresh butter, if it be necessary.