INalldifficult Cases, theCureorRemedychiefly depends upon the certainKnowledgeof theNature of the Case, and theCauseof theDifficulty: Since (according toCelsus[164], that nobleRoman Physician) it is not to be suppos’d thatHeshould know how toremedy Diseases, who knows not theirOriginal Causes.
FORas in otherCases, so also inMIDWIFERY, theCausebeing known, theDifficultyis easily remov’d; but especially when it only proceeds fromExternal Causes, it requires no greatArt, save only theMIDWIFE’S particularNoticeand discreetAnimadversion.
AS,FIRST, for Instance, inCaseof anyDifficulty, occasion’d by anIntemperature, or inclementConstitutionofWeatherandAir; the more adverse or inclement theWeatheris, the more tenderCareought to be taken of theLabouring Woman: Namely, inSummer, when theHeatscorches so much as to dissipate theWoman’s Strength, she ought toLabourin aGround-Chamberbackwards, which may be strewed (for the Purpose) withVineorWillow-Leaves,Rose-Water, and a littleVinegar; as it is customary inhot Countries.
INWinter, when theColdpinches so as to condense and astringe theWomband thePassages, she ought toLabourin anUpper-Room, kept moderately warm with one continuedFire; theMIDWIFErubbing gently theHypogastrickandIschiatick Regionsevery now and then with hotCloathes.
INSpringandFall, when parching dryWeather, withNorthandEast Windsmost abound, theMIDWIFEought not only to rub theseInferiour Regionswith hotCloaths; but also to qualify theInfluencesof theSiccid AIR, by anointing thePassageswith properUnguents.
ASecondExternal Causemay proceed from thePassionsof the Will or Mind, as it often does fromFearandDespair,DejectionandPusillanimity: In whichCase, it is theMIDWIFE’s Duty to encourage herWomanby the Hopes of aSpeedy DELIVERY, and doing well underGod’s Blessing. When the Cause arises fromAngerorSorrow, these are to be assuaged by the repeatedChristian Exhortations, andFriendly Admonitionsof theMidwifeandGossips. When it comes fromPrideandObstinacy, as has been theCaseof someLofty Women; who (deeming themselves too good, to be treated after thecommon Courseof Mankind) have refused to undergo or permit the properMeans, absolutely necessary for their ownRelief;Thisought to be severely check’d by theCompany, especially by thenearest Friends; theMidwife(by properRemonstrances) convincing her to her Shame of her obstinateSin. When it proceeds, in fine, fromBashfulnessor too strict aModesty, she may be justly reprehended ofFolly; for no Woman of goodSense(howModestandVirtuoussoever) will expose her ownLifeor herInfant’s toDanger, for the triflingFanciesorCapricesof her own vain Imagination, especially in aCasewherelike things happen to Allequally of Flesh and Blood.
BUTwhen it happens to proceed from theWoman’s being ill-affected, or owing a privateGrudgeorHatredto any in theCompany, (as I once knew it to be theCauseof a difficult and lingringBIRTH)Sheought to speak her Mind freely, at least to herMIDWIFE; who ought to give thePersoncivil Notice to retire forthwith, for certain Reasons,&c.
AThirdExternal Causeof adifficultBIRTHmay proceed from awrong Position, or othersinistrous Methodstaken to assist theWoman: In whichCase, suchInconvenienciesare to be alter’d, and betterMeasurespractis’d; forthustheCausebeing removed, theBIRTHdiffers in Nothing fromThatof theNatural Easy Case.
WHENCEI come, in the next Place, to speak ofDifficult BIRTHS, proceeding fromInternal Causes; and because they areThree-fold, as has been before observed, I shall assign them as many respectiveChapters, treating ofEachin their due Order, as mentioned.