CHAP.X.Of theNUTRITIONandPOSTUREof theINFANT.
THISis manifest, that theFoetusis nourished in thefirst Months, by theUmbilical Vesselsonly: But the several followingReasonsengage me to think; that, in thelatter Months, it is alimented by theMouthalso, andThatby a glutinouslimpid Liquor: Which, being (probably) secreted from theAmnionfor that Purpose, is found to surround it.
I.BECAUSEthisLiquor, which seems very proper for thatUse, is found not only in theMouth,but also in theOEsophagusandStomachof theINFANT.
II.ITis foundchangedin the smallerIntestines[23]; and beingchylify’din theVentricle, it turns toExcrements, call’dMeconium, in theRectum, orstrait Gut.
III.WEfind alargeQuantity of thisLiquor, surrounding theFœtusin thefirst Months, and butlittlein thelast; which cannot probably be consum’d anyotherway, than by theINFANT.
IV.BECAUSE[24]that theOesophagus,Intestines,lacteal Vessels, andthoracick Duct, may continue open, and be gradually accustomed to their respectiveFunctions.
THEInfant’sSituation, in thefirstandmiddle Months, is various; but, in thelatter, it is commonly observ’d to be of anoval Figure: Sitting, with theHeadhanging down, and theChinupon theBreast; theNeckbending forwards, theBackis round; embracing theKnees, which are drawn up towards theCheekswith itsArms; theHandscommonly hanging down, seem to embrace theFeet; theHeelscling close to theButtocks; and while theHeadis uppermost, theFaceis towards theMother’s Belly.
BUTabout the Time ofBirth; theHead, which was always beforeLighter, becomes considerablyHeavierthan any other Part. And its ponderousBulkbearing much smaller Proportion to itsSubstancethan it did before, must needs (consequently) tumble Heels over Head, in theWatersof theMembranes; and theHeadfalling downwards, theFeetget uppermost, and theFaceis turn’d towards theMother’s Back.
BUTbecause this is a painful and irksomePosture, however favourable for itsExit; theMotionsit makes for its Relief, occasion frequentPainsto theMother,which cause a Contraction of theWOMB, for the Expulsion of theInfant.
AND, in short, this being thenatural Postureof theInfantin theWOMB, itspreternatural Positionsmay from thence be easily conceived.