WHEREFORE I commonly make it my Business to prevent the _Woman_’s _PAINS_, until I have brought the _CHILD_ this _Length_; when allowing her a little Time to rest, I heartily encourage and positively promise _Her_, that, she performing her _Part_ effectually, (by using all her _Strength_, and behaving herself as if the _PAINS_ were most really _pressing_ upon her, whether so or not) the _BIRTH_ will immediately succeed: And upon this _Promise_, with the _PATIENT_’s mutual Assistances concurring, I never yet fail’d; neither will any _Persons_ who faithfully and ingeniously follow this _Method_, in comfortably helping the _Woman_ upon such an Occasion, by drawing the _CHILD_ cautiously _downwards_, with whatsoever judicious _Force_: I mean not _downwards_, according to the _Woman_’s LENGTH, but _downwards_ towards the _strait Gut_. And as I every Moment insinuate to the _MOTHER_, that her _BABE_’s _Life_ depends entirely upon her vigorous confederate LABOUR; so _she_ mutually concurring with me, in endeavouring to do our _Best_, the AGRIPPA _INFANT_ is presently _brought forth_ to the great Satisfaction of _Both_.
BY these _Means_ and _Methods_, we prevent the _Tragical Consequences_, which Mr. _Portal_ and many _others_ confess they have often met with in their _Practice_; viz. That the _HEAD_ has been sometimes pulled-off from the _SHOULDERS_, or that the _CHILD_ has been frequently _stifled_, by the WOMB’s contracting and shutting-up about the _NECK_: Which was altogether owing to the injudicious _Method_ of their Practice, in drawing down the ARMS awkwardly (as mentioned above) along the SIDES of the _Body_.
CHAP. XVII. _Of Preternatural BIRTHS, by Two, or more INFANTS presenting themselves ill-Turn’d._
THIS _Case_ also happens sometimes remarkably; upon which, if _Both_ or _All_ are contain’d in _one_ and the _same SECUNDINE_, or when the _MEMBRANES_ are broken, _then_ the right VERSION is very difficult; not so much for want of _Room_, as because their _HANDS_ and _FEET_ are commonly interwoven and twisted together: In which _preternatural Condition_, when so complicated and entangled, they are to be unfolded and cleared off _one another_ with the nicest Circumspection and Judgment.
