Chapter IX: AND Lastly, this ART teacheth the true Regimen of the

_CHILD-BED-WOMAN_, and her _BABE_, together with the proper _Methods_ and _Means_ of _HELP_ in all Cases incident to them _Both_.

THESE _Heads_ (I think) fully comprehend the whole _Art_ of MIDWIFERY: And what can be more _ingenious_ now? What can be more _conducive_ to the common Good, or more _serviceable_ to any Country, than the Preservation of the _Health_ and _Lives_ of its multiplying _WOMEN_ and _CHILDREN_?

THIS _Art_ has been in such _Esteem_ among the _ANTIENTS_, that it was (in all Ages) the _Study_ of the most Learned PHYSICIANS; tho’ its _Practice_ succeeded best only, first in _France_, then in _Italy_, and afterwards in _Germany_. For in these _Countrys_ their _Women_ of all Ranks (the most Precise and Virtuous) have accustom’d themselves (upon this Occasion) to lay aside all _childish Bashfulness_ and _imaginary Modesty_, in order to secure their _Own_ and their _Childrens_ Safety, by inviting the _Assistance_ of _both SEXES_. And indeed _MEN_ (whom I may justly call the truest and best _Boethogynists_) being better versed in _Anatomy_, better acquainted with _Physical Helps_, and commonly endued with greater _Presence of Mind_, have been always found readier or discreeter, to devise something more _new_, and to give quicker _Relief_ in Cases of _difficult_ or _preternatural BIRTHS_, than common _MIDWIFES_ generally understand; By which means it comes to pass, that this ART is now brought to its greatest _Perfection_ in these _Countries_: Insomuch that, if I might be allowed to adopt a _new Term_ into our Language, instead of _MAN-MIDWIFE_, which seems to be a Contradiction in _Terms_, I would call him the ANDRO-BOETHOGYNIST, or _Man-Helper of Woman_, for his excellent Skill in _MIDWIFERY_.

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.

CHAP. II.
_Of the Qualifications of the Ordinary MIDWIFE._

IT is indeed indifferent whether _Men_ or _Women_ practise this ART, so the _Practisers_ be properly adapted, and duly qualified for the Purpose of so great a WORK. As for Instance, in _France_, MEN only profess this Business; in _Italy_, and _Germany_, MEN and WOMEN promiscuously; in _England_, _Scotland_, _Holland_, &c. MEN are stiled Extraordinary MIDWIVES, being seldom or never call’d but in extraordinary _Cases_ of difficult and preternatural BIRTHS. Wherefore, upon this Account, I shall _first_ observe and denote the _Qualifications_ most requisite and absolutely necessary for _WOMEN_ practising this ART.

NOW as all _Arts_ and _Sciences_ require _Instruction_, _Application_, _Pains_, and _Time_, for qualifying any _Person_ to become a MASTER in the _Practice_ of them; so the ART of _Midwifery_ requires not the least Regard, Attention, and Information. Wherefore it is quite wrong for any _Persons_, who have not a _Body_ and _Mind_ particularly adapted to this Business, to spend their Time in _qualifying_ themselves for, and _applying_ themselves to the Performance of this good Office. For such as _These_ ought to leave _This Province_ to THOSE _Persons_, whom _Nature_ has more signally mark’d out for the Purpose.

AND that I may the better distinguish upon what I have here propos’d, I shall _first_ speak in the _Negative_, and _then_ in the _Affirmative Sense_ of the Affair; Or _first_, of her _Natural_, and _then_ of her _Acquir’d Qualifications_.

I. THEREFORE, _She_ who would discreetly undertake MIDWIFERY, ought not to begin the _Practice_ too _YOUNG_, nor continue it till grown too _OLD_: For the _one_ will want, perhaps, due _Experience_, as well as decent _Gravity_ and _Solidity_; the _other_ will, peradventure, want requisite _Strength_ and _Vigour_ of Body, as well as the Free _Exercise_, and ready _Use_ of her _Senses_.

II. SHE ought to be no _weak_, _infirm_, or _diseased_ Person, incapable of undergoing the _Fatigues_ which the Business too often requires: Such as _watching Night_ and _Day_; turning the _INFANTS_, when in a wrong _Posture_; or extracting them at length; which _Action_ frequently requires the full _Strength_ of a strong _MAN_, instead of a weak _Woman_. For _thus_ the most learned and excellent _Fabricius d’ Aquapendente_, testifies of himself, that he has often been so _weary_ and _tired_, that he has been obliged to leave the Work for his _Assistant_ to finish; and as _Daventer_ also (a robust Man) relates of himself, that in the coldest Time of _Winter_, being but thinly _cloathed_, and at a Distance from any _Fire_, his _Hair_ has been wet, and all his _Body_ in a SWEAT, and both his _Loins_ and his _Limbs_ have aked egregiously some Days after _delivering_ a Woman.

III. SHE ought not to be too _Fat_ or _Gross_, but especially not to have thick or fleshy _Hands_ and _Arms_, or large-_Bon’d Wrists_; which (of Necessity) must occasion racking _Pains_ to the tender _labouring Woman_.

IV. SHE ought not to be _lame_ or _maim’d_, nor have stiff or crooked _Fingers_, _Hands_, or _Arms_; for these _Parts_ are to be used in different _Manners_ and _Postures_, even so that the _Success_ of the LABOUR often depends upon their _Readiness_ and _Agility_.

V. SHE ought not to be, _negatively_ speaking, a _conceiv’d_ or _Child-bearing Woman_; because _This_ may be of bad Consequence, not only to the _labouring Woman_; (who depends on her, for more than she’s able to _perform_, especially in a _strong_ LABOUR) but also to the conceiv’d _MIDWIFE_ herself, and her own _INFANT_.

VI. SHE ought not to be an _Ignorant_, _Stupid_, _Indolent_, or a _dull_ Person; and especially not incapable of conceiving Matters distinctly, or judging of Things aright: Neither ought _she_ to be a _Self-Indulger_, _Slothful_, or _Lazy_; nor a _Light_, _Dissolute_, or _Daring_ Person: _She_ ought not to be _inconsiderate_, _negligent_, or _forgetful_; nor _proud_, _passionate_, or _obstinate_: Neither _peevish_, _morose_, or _surly_; nor _fearful_, _doubtful_, or _wavering-minded_: neither ought _she_ to be a _Tipler_ or _Drunkard_, nor a _Tatler_ or _Vagabond_, nor a _covetous_, or _mercenary_ Person.

BUT on the _other Hand_, in the _Affirmative_, _SHE_ (_First_) ought to be a _Woman_ of a good _middle Age_, of _solid Parts_, of _full Experience_, of a _healthy_, _strong_, and _vigorous Body_, with clever _small Hands_: Since nothing can be more agreeable and conducive to the _Art_ of _MIDWIFERY_, than _slender Hands_, _long Fingers_, and a _ready Feeling_.

II. SHE ought to be _Grave_ and _Considerate_, endued with _Resolution_ and _Presence of Mind_, in order to foresee and prevent _ACCIDENTS_; _Sagacious_ and _Prudent_ in difficult _Cases_, so as not to take _All_ upon her own Shoulders or _Judgment_, but to have immediate _Recourse_ to the ablest _Practiser_ in the ART, and freely submit her _Thoughts_ to the discerning _Faculty_ of the more Learned and Skilful.

III. SHE ought to be _Watchful_, _Diligent_, and _Expert_ in all Cases and Conditions that can or may occur; so that no _Opportunity_ in the Beginning of the LABOUR be lost: Since I have more than once observ’d, that the _Neglect_ or _Mistake_ of improving a _critical_ MINUTE, hath cost the MOTHER many violent or heavy _Pains_ afterwards, and the CHILD also its _Life_. For which Reason it is of the greatest _Importance_, to nick the _Opportunity_, conformable to _Cato_’s Saying——

_Fronte capillata, post est Occasio calva._

IV. SHE ought to be a true _Fearer_ of GOD, a _Conscientious_ Person, of good _Life_ and _Conversation_: Since Matters of the greatest _Moment_ are committed to her _Care_; and depend entirely upon the faithful _Discharge_ of her Duty: For _she_ has the first and best _Opportunity_ of shewing her _Compassion_, and _Tenderness_ to Mankind, in this _Infant_ and _Helpless State_. In short, CHARITY ought always to engage her, to be as ready to help the _Poor_ as the _Rich_; the LIFE of the _One_ being as Dear as the _Other’s_, and the _Image_ of GOD being equally stamp’d upon _Both_: For the ineffable _Recompence_ of CHARITY far exceeds all other _Considerations_ of trifling GAIN.

V. SHE ought to be _Patient_ and _Pleasant_; _Soft_, _Meek_, and _Mild_ in her _Temper_, in order to encourage and comfort the _labouring Woman_. SHE should pass by and forgive her small _Failings_, and peevish _Faults_, instructing her gently when she _does_ or says _amiss_: But if she will not follow _Advice_, and Necessity require, the MIDWIFE ought to reprimand and put her smartly in mind of her _Duty_; yet always in such a manner, however, as to encourage her with the _Hopes_ of a happy and speedy DELIVERY.