III. SHE ought not to be too _Fat_ or _Gross_, but especially not to have thick or fleshy _Hands_ and _Arms_, or large-_Bon’d Wrists_; which (of Necessity) must occasion racking _Pains_ to the tender _labouring Woman_.
IV. SHE ought not to be _lame_ or _maim’d_, nor have stiff or crooked _Fingers_, _Hands_, or _Arms_; for these _Parts_ are to be used in different _Manners_ and _Postures_, even so that the _Success_ of the LABOUR often depends upon their _Readiness_ and _Agility_.
V. SHE ought not to be, _negatively_ speaking, a _conceiv’d_ or _Child-bearing Woman_; because _This_ may be of bad Consequence, not only to the _labouring Woman_; (who depends on her, for more than she’s able to _perform_, especially in a _strong_ LABOUR) but also to the conceiv’d _MIDWIFE_ herself, and her own _INFANT_.
VI. SHE ought not to be an _Ignorant_, _Stupid_, _Indolent_, or a _dull_ Person; and especially not incapable of conceiving Matters distinctly, or judging of Things aright: Neither ought _she_ to be a _Self-Indulger_, _Slothful_, or _Lazy_; nor a _Light_, _Dissolute_, or _Daring_ Person: _She_ ought not to be _inconsiderate_, _negligent_, or _forgetful_; nor _proud_, _passionate_, or _obstinate_: Neither _peevish_, _morose_, or _surly_; nor _fearful_, _doubtful_, or _wavering-minded_: neither ought _she_ to be a _Tipler_ or _Drunkard_, nor a _Tatler_ or _Vagabond_, nor a _covetous_, or _mercenary_ Person.
BUT on the _other Hand_, in the _Affirmative_, _SHE_ (_First_) ought to be a _Woman_ of a good _middle Age_, of _solid Parts_, of _full Experience_, of a _healthy_, _strong_, and _vigorous Body_, with clever _small Hands_: Since nothing can be more agreeable and conducive to the _Art_ of _MIDWIFERY_, than _slender Hands_, _long Fingers_, and a _ready Feeling_.
II. SHE ought to be _Grave_ and _Considerate_, endued with _Resolution_ and _Presence of Mind_, in order to foresee and prevent _ACCIDENTS_; _Sagacious_ and _Prudent_ in difficult _Cases_, so as not to take _All_ upon her own Shoulders or _Judgment_, but to have immediate _Recourse_ to the ablest _Practiser_ in the ART, and freely submit her _Thoughts_ to the discerning _Faculty_ of the more Learned and Skilful.
III. SHE ought to be _Watchful_, _Diligent_, and _Expert_ in all Cases and Conditions that can or may occur; so that no _Opportunity_ in the Beginning of the LABOUR be lost: Since I have more than once observ’d, that the _Neglect_ or _Mistake_ of improving a _critical_ MINUTE, hath cost the MOTHER many violent or heavy _Pains_ afterwards, and the CHILD also its _Life_. For which Reason it is of the greatest _Importance_, to nick the _Opportunity_, conformable to _Cato_’s Saying——