BUT upon _This_ here it must be carefully observ’d by the way, that I would pass my _Hand_ close up along the _INFANT’s Body_ from the _Orifice_ to the _Fund_ of the WOMB, or to the FEET, that it may not come between the _SECUNDINE_ and the WOMB, but betwixt the _MEMBRANE_ and the _CHILD_: By this _Method_ I shall neither hurt the WOMB, nor the _INFANT_; but the _HAND_ distinguishing clearly all the _Parts_ of the _CHILD_, I cannot miss finding the _Feet_ with the greatest Certainty. Tho’ I must acknowledge by the By, this to be the _Work_ of a very strong and agile _HAND_, as well as of a sound and ready _Judgment_; because of the immense _Labour_ and Difficulty, first in opening the _narrow ORIFICE_, and then in penetrating through it to the _Bottom_ of the WOMB, as the _INFANT_ obstructs the Way: not to mention the great _Inconveniencies_ also besides, which arise from the _Turnings_ and _Windings_, as well as from the _Length_ and _Constriction_ of the _Passage_. However yet——
THUS having found _one_ or _both FEET_, I would draw them down _both together_, if possible, always turning the _TOES_ towards the _FACE_. Whereas if only _ONE_ can be found to be conveniently _attracted_, as it often happens, I make it fast by a running _Knot on a broad Ribband_, or by a certain _Bandage_, called _MITRA_, or with a soft _Linnen Rag_ about four Inches broad; which I _twist_ together, and hold in the _Hand without the Body_, as I pass the _other_ up along this _LEG_, duly observing whether it is the _Right_ or the _Left_, that I may know which of my _HANDS_ will most commodiously find out the _other LEG_; and that _HAND_ having reached the _CHILD’s Belly_ or _Buttocks_, I slide it along the _THIGH_ to the other _LEG_: So that the _FOOT_ being thus found, I bring it also down into the _PASSAGE_, according to the _POSTURE_ of the _INFANT_.
BOTH _FEET_ being now thus _brought down_, if they chance to be _ill-turned_, that is, with _TOES_ up and _HEELS downwards_, I discreetly _turn_ the _CHILD_, whilst I gradually draw forth the _FEET_. _These_, together with the _BELLY_, being fairly excluded, I hold the _FEET_ with _one Hand_, whilst I put the _other_ under the _BELLY_ and _BREAST_, as far as possible: Or, resting the _FEET_ in my _Lap_, with _one Hand_ above, and _another_ below, I take good hold of the _BODY_, attracting it gently. Upon this I advise and encourage my _Woman_ now to _labour_ her best, and that whether she feels any _PAINS_ or not, since they are now no longer to be waited for with the Impatience of a happy _Delivery_.