Chapter I: SHALL only (in this place) farther explain, what I mean, by the

_MIDWIFE_’s _Duty_ to all _Women_ in _LABOUR_, to whom she may be call’d upon _critical Conjunctures_; as the latter part of the above-mentioned last General _Head_ purports: namely this, That the _MIDWIFE_, in the Course of her _Practice_, ought always to observe carefully, and follow strictly the _Rules_ of _EQUITY_ and _CHARITY_: That is, supposing the _MIDWIFE_ to be sent for by a Person in LABOUR, whose _Case_ is Natural and all Things likely to go well; and in the mean time, after she has taken her in Hand, is peradventure sent for to _another Woman_, whose difficult or preternatural _Case_ threatens imminent _Danger_.

IN this _Case_, the _MIDWIFE_ knowing herself to be better qualified than _Others_, and that _Another_ not equally expert is able to lay the _Former_, she ought to attend and assist the _Latter_: And _That_ also notwithstanding the _First_ be RICH, and the _Latter_, POOR; since _GOD_ is no _Respecter of Persons_.

BUT, if it happen, that _one Rich_, and _another poor Woman_, want HELP both at a time, and are in equal Danger: In _that Case_, without any regard to the _one’s WEALTH_, or the _other’s POVERTY_; the _MIDWIFE_ is to assist _Her_ first, whom _Divine Providence_ first call’d her to, or first engag’d her withal. And as the _Cases_ of _Women_ in LABOUR may differ, so she ought impartially to act and dispose of herself; having always an Eye to something _superiour_ to, and far above that of mean LUCRE.

CHAP. IV.
_Of the QUALIFICATIONS of the Extraordinary MIDWIFE._

THE _Extraordinary MIDWIFE_, or _Andro-Boethogynist_ (whether _Physician_ or _Surgeon_ practicing this ART) ought not only to be endued with all the _Qualities_ and _Qualifications_ mentioned in the _Two_ preceding _Chapters_, but also to excel the WOMAN-MIDWIFE in many special _Particulars_, and ingenious _Points_; which no ways belong to her _Female Province_.

FOR it is not enough that He knows how to relieve and _lay_ the _labouring Woman_, however difficult or preternatural her _Case_ may be; nor is it sufficient that he understands how to _help_ and succour both the _MOTHER_ and the _INFANT_ after such a _Delivery_: No, so much of his Business might be easily learn’d and enhanced by _old Women_, were they but _Docile_, and not such obstinate _Creatures_.

BUT _He_ ought farther also to know (_first_) how to prevent all preternatural _Disasters_ incident to both the _one_ and the _other_, in their respective _States_ of CHILD-BED and INFANCY: And, _Secondly_, how to administer Relief and perform the CURE, in _Case_ of any dismal _Accident_ whatsoever to _one_ or _either_ of them in their dangerous Condition.

MOREOVER, his _Knowledge_ ought neither to commence nor terminate in these Things; it being also his _Duty_ over and above to know, how to conduct the _Woman_ safely through all the _Months_ of _GESTATION_, and to avert from her the _Severity_ of their respective _SYMPTOMS_, to which she is so much expos’d, as mentioned in their proper _Chapters_, SECT. III. And not only so neither, but He ought also to understand well, how to guard against the ACCESSES of all _Acute Diseases_, so as at least to avert their ill _Consequences_; and especially (of course) to know thoroughly how to prevent _ABORTION_ itself.

THESE are the _Cases_ which most commonly require the ingenious Assistance of the _Extraordinary MIDWIFE_: And _These_ are they which try his _Skill_ and _Knowledge_ most, as the _Tempest_ or _Storm_ best discovers the _Judgment_ and _Capacity_ of the MASTER-MARINER.

AND yet, neither ought even _these Limits_ to be the narrow _Boundary_ of his STUDIES: Since the more extensive his ART and _Knowledge_ is, especially in what relates to the _natural Constitution_ of WOMEN, the _fitter Man_ He is to take upon himself the _Practice_ of this noble and most ingenious _Profession_.

NOT that I would be thought tacitely to insinuate in this place by the By, as if my own _Knowledge_ was in any degree SUPERIOUR to _other Men’s_: No, I am too sensible of my own _Weakness_, to mean so, or to entertain any such vain selfish Thought; neither have I any fond _Ambition_ to aim at standing in _Competition_ with _others_ in these Respects. For it shall suffice me, and sufficiently gratify my Highest _Aim_, if possibly a simple Word may drop from my _Pen_, which the more Ingenious may sometime improve to the common Good of _Women_, and the Welfare of their _Children_: And this I would desire the more, because I know no larger _FIELD_, that the _Learned_ can launch out into; nor any profounder _Study_, that they can descant upon, than the _Nature_ and _Constitution_ of this tender SEX, which is so peculiarly different from all other _Natural Works_, and so singularly discrepant from all other _Created Beings_.

BUT more particularly in order, that the _MAN-MIDWIFE_ or _Andro-Boethogynist_ may be thus duly qualify’d and completely accomplished;

I. HE ought not only to be liberally _instructed_ and generously _educated_, but also to be a MAN of good _Breeding_ and _Conversation_, as well as _Courtesy_ and _Complaisance_.

II. HE ought not only to be a MAN of diligent _Study_ and sedulous _Application_ of Mind, but also of great _Humanity_ and _Integrity_, _Temperance_ and _Sobriety_, endued with solid _Resolution_, quick _Apprehension_, and great _Presence_ of Mind.

III. HE ought not only to be a MAN of _strict Virtue_ and _Chastity_, but also of unspotted _Life_ and _Conversation_, _Charity_ and _Companion_; delighting in _Hospitality_, and doing GOOD; acting the _Christian_ as well as the _Gentleman_ in all respects.

IV. HE ought not only to be a Man of known _Discretion_ and _Secresy_, _Sagacity_ and _Judgment_, but also of a pleasant _Countenance_; neat and clean in _Person_ and _Cloathes_, Agreeable and Decent in _Words_ and _Actions_, carefully adverting (at all times) to give no Occasion of _Shame_ or _Confusion_ to the _Labouring Woman_, or the _By-standers_.