THO’ indeed everydifficult Expulsionof theINFANT, from whatsoeverCauseit may proceed, is verily aDifficult BIRTH; yet I shall here distinguish adifficult Onefrom apreternatural BIRTH; not only that I may thereby, the better avoid theConfusionwhich others have led themselves into, by treating ofBothpromiscuously, but also that myMethodmay tend the more to the peculiar Benefit and Advantage of the IngeniousReader.
WHEREFOREI call that aDifficult BIRTH; where, notwithstanding theFigureandDimensionsof theCHILD, answer in all respects to its propernatural Posture, in aPerpendicularWomb, duly situated, yet theExclusionof theINFANT, is retarded, by some certainOppositionorDifficulty. From hence proceedsthe realDifferencebetweenThisand theNatural Easy BIRTH, forasmuch asThisalways requireslessormoreskilfulAssistance, according to various Circumstances, andThatbutLittleornone at all.
NOWtheCausesofDifficult BIRTHSare very various, and according to theNatureof them,Thissometimes proves equally as dangerous as thePreternatural; but when so it happens, I have commonly observed theFaultto be, for the most Part wholly owing to the arrogantMIDWIFE, who either knew not how to remove theCauseand facilitate theBIRTHherself, or delay’d applying betimes to someAbler Person, for theReliefandSafetyof her LabouringWOMAN.
HENCEarises a FundamentalMaxim, which I would lay down for a memorableRuleto all suchIgnorants; that noMIDWIFEought to keep aWomanin this Condition under herHands(especially in aPlacewhere extraordinaryHelpis to be had) anylonger, than she finds theAdvancesofBIRTHanswer to the Proportion ofTimespent about it: But forthwith she ought to deliver her up to theCareof the more Skilful and JudiciousPractiserin thisArt. In whichCase, ofComplianceandCondescension, she is to be highly commended for her tenderCare, and cautiousConcern; whereas upon acting contrary to this goodRuleout of Pride or Obstinacy, and thefatal Accidentensuing, I have known theMIDWIFEto have been try’d for herLifein the City ofVenice.
BUTthat I may render every thingPlainandEasyto theApprehensionof the weakestReader, by reason that theCausesofDifficult BIRTHSare bothdifferentandnumerous, I shall again reduce them toTwoClasses; namely,ExternalandInternal: TheExternal, I shall include in the next followingChapter; but theInternal Causes, requiring a more Curious and ExtensiveDilucidation, may (I hope) be pertinently divided into aThree-fold Difference; viz.Causesof theMother, of theInfant, and of thePassages; which I propose to handle particularly, all in their dueOrder. ButFirst,