CHAPTER V.ConcerningTOUCHING.
T
HIS ought to be put in Practice, as soon as, from the Symptoms given in the Third Chapter, it is reasonable to expect the Birth approaching; and aChild-bearingPerson would be very much her own Enemy to refuse the only Means of giving atrueInformation of her Case, and the Knowledge how to do her the most effectual Service.
The Midwife, having her Nails well pared, and very smooth, and her Fingers anointed with Oil or Lard, must introduce the twofore Fingersof either Hand into thePassageorNeckof theWomb, as far as itsinwardOrifice, directing them with agentleandeasyMotion, somewhat upwards, as it were with a Tendency through thePassagetowards theNavel; in this Search she will find theinternalOrifice, joining thePassageorNeckof theWombmore or less open, relaxed, and thinner than usual; and cautiously protruding her Fingers farther, she may possibly touch theCrownof the Child’s Head; she will easily, by theSutures, orOpeningbetween the Bones of the Skull, distinguish theCrown: Keeping her Fingers in this Situation,duringthe Beginning, and Continuance ofstrongPains, she will observe theWaterscontain’d in theMembranesincluding the Child, and After-birthformingwithin theinwardOrifice, as if something like a Bladderblown, ordistendedwith Water, presented to theTouch, dilating theOrificewith eachThrow; these Appearances presage aspeedyandeasyBirth.