I. LEST the STRING (by some _Accident_ or other) should break, and she, missing this _Guide_ to the _SECUNDINE_, should take _One Part_ for _Another_, and consequently _dislodge_ the WOMB instead of the AFTER-BIRTH; which has undoubtedly often happen’d by such blind DOINGS, notwithstanding this very remarkable _Difference_ between _Them_, that the _SECUNDINE_ distinguishes itself from the _Other_, by a great many little _Inequalities_ on the Outside, occasion’d by the ROOTS of the _Umbilical Vessels_. And,
II. LEST _she_ should unwarily either _break_, _tear_, or _scratch_ the WOMB, with her _thick_, _fleshy_, _rough_, and _rigid_ HAND, or with her _stiff_ and _crooked_ FINGERS: _Either_ of which _Accidents_, may give ORIGIN to various _Misfortunes_; such as a PROLAPSUS, or _Falling-down_, a _preternatural Flooding_, an _Inflammation_, or _Gangrene_, &c.
BUT we will now, in fine, suppose that the _Ingenuous MIDWIFE_ has after All discharged her faithful _Duty_ in these Respects, with _Care_, _Lenity_, and good _Conduct_, as well as with great _Art_ and _Judgment_: In which _Case_, it only remains, that _she_ take the necessary and usual _Care_ of the CHILD-BED-WOMAN and INFANT; as hereafter will be directed in the respective _Chapters_ of _SECTION_ VIth, to come.
IN the mean Time, these curious _Things_ being thus amply premised in this Place, the READER has no more superfluous _Repetitions_ to expect concerning _them_ in the following _Performance_: And therefore with these _Preliminaries_ I conclude my _Fourth SECTION_.
MAN’s appointed Time may as reasonably allude to his _BIRTH_, as to his _DEATH_: His _Days_ and his _Months_ (mentioned by holy JOB[158]) being as much determin’d, _naturally_ speaking, in the _One_, as in the _other Case_.
THE _INFANT_ thus being thoroughly ripen’d, and arrived to full _Perfection_ of MATURITY, the _Hour_ approaches, in which it scorns any longer _Confinement_ to such narrow Bounds. For the _Animal Spirits_ being discontented, for want of due _Liberty_ and free _Motion_; the _Vitals_, for want of _Refrigeration_ and _Refreshment_; and the _Natural Spirits_, for want of sufficient _Respiration_ and _Nutrition_: _They_ all concur to make a _Commotion_, and (as it were) a victorious _Revolt_ or an _Effort_ pushing for _CONQUEST_.