MOREOVER, the _Authors_ of these Countries have not been remiss, in communicating their _Experience_ and _Methods_ taken to prevent and remedy the many various _Difficulties_ which have occurred in this nice Affair. No, _Senertus_, _Rod. à Castro_, _Viardel_, _Mauriceau_, _Portal_, _Daventer_, _Bartine_, _Garofanzzo_, _Pfizerus_, &c. have promerited our immortal _Praises_ as well as _Thanks_, for such famous and generous Instances as they have given of their great _Beneficence_ to _MANKIND_.
THE _Four latter_ have made vast _Improvements_ of this ART: but particularly, the most Learned, Ingenious, and excellent PHYSICIANS, and _Men-Midwives_, (as vulgarly called) Sig. _Garofanzzo_ and _Pfizerus_ (my most honoured _Instructors_ in this ART) have absolutely perfected the WORK begun by _others_; for their Rules are firmly founded on sound Anatomy, and their _Doctrines_ are more extensive, particular, plain, and infallible, than all their _PREDECESSORS_ Discoveries.
THEY explain this ART upon firm _Mathematical Foundations_, and solid _Demonstrations_ of Truth. Besides they give many new, and most necessary _Directions_, in regard to _Touching_ or _Handling_ of Women; whereby _MIDWIVES_ may not only foresee all _Difficulties_, which can possibly happen, but also prevent them in due Time.
THEIR great _Ingenuity_ and _Dexterity_ in this _ART_, has (to the Glory of _GOD_ Almighty’s good _Providence_, and the Honour of their own _Profession_) rendred the _Use_ of INSTRUMENTS, not only needless and superfluous, but also odious and ridiculous. They instruct us how to remedy the most difficult _Occurrences_, by a right _Understanding_ of the Business, and a nice subtile skilful _HAND_ only, without any manner of other _INSTRUMENT_; excepting only in the Case of a _MONSTROUS_ or _dead BIRTH_.
UPON whose great _Authorities_, and the small _Knowledge_ I myself have of the _Parts_ of Generation, if I affirm the imminent and manifest _Danger_ of such dilating INSTRUMENTS, as are commonly us’d upon every trifling Occasion, I hope it will not be taken amiss by the _READER_: Since my _Design_ is not so much to discourage any in their _Practice_, as only to excite such _Practitioners_ to apply themselves to the above-mention’d far more _Safe_, _Easy_, and _Commendable_ METHOD: which if they shall think fit to do, the Excellency of the _Profession_ will shine as bright _Here_ as in _other Parts_ of the World; and at the same time, the absurd _Imputations_ and false _Suggestions_ of the Ignorant (who imagine all _Women_ to be deliver’d either by CHANCE, or by such barbarous USAGE) will be clean wip’d off: For (I am fully satisfy’d) that our ART, no ways depends upon CHANCE or FORTUNE, and running any _Risque_ or _Hazard_; but (to the contrary) on as firm a _Foundation_, and as infallible _Rules_, as a great many _other Professions_, which however yet are sometimes subject to _ACCIDENTS_. All which I shall endeavour to make evidently appear, in the next _SECTION_; where I shall treat of the CAUSES of _difficult_ and _preternatural BIRTHS_, together with the respective _Methods_ of preventing, correcting, or removing them effectually.