Aristotle's works:: Containing the Master-piece, Directions for Midwives, and Counsel and Advice to Child-bearing Women with Various Useful Remedies
Aristotle · en
The right and natural birth is, when the child comes with its head
first; and yet this is too short a definition of a natural birth: for if
any part of the head but the crown comes first, so that the body follows
not in a straight line, it is a wrong and difficult birth, even though
the head comes first. Therefore, if the child comes with its feet first,
or with the side across, it is quite contrary to nature, or, to speak
more plainly, that which I call unnatural.
Now, there are four general ways a child may come wrong. 1. When any of
the fore parts of the body first present themselves. 2. When, by an
unhappy transportation, any of the hinder parts of the body first
present themselves. 3. When either of the sides, or, 4. the feet present
themselves first. To these the different wrong postures that a child can
present itself may be reduced.
SECT. I. _How to deliver a Woman of a Dead Child, by Manual Operation._
When manual operation is necessary, let the operator acquaint the woman
of the absolute necessity there is for such an operation; and that, as
the child has already lost its life, there is no other way left for the
saving of hers. Let him also inform her, for her encouragement, that he
doubts not, with the divine blessing, to deliver her safely; and that
the pain arising thereby will not to be so great as she fears. Then let
him stir up the woman’s pains by giving her some sharp clyster, to
excite her throes to bear down and bring forth the child. And if this
prevail not, let him proceed with the manual operation.