Part 15

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.

VI. IN like manner as she ought to be _Modest_, _Temperate_, and _Sober_, so she ought to be _Faithful_ and _Silent_; always upon her _Guard_ to conceal those Things, which ought not to be spoken of.

THESE, in fine, are the chief of the natural _Qualities_ requisite for _MIDWIFERY_; from whence I come to the _Theoretical_ and _Practical Part_, without which all _Others_ are (in effect) Nothing to the Purpose.

CHAP. III. _Of the THEORETICAL and PRACTICAL Knowledge of the MIDWIFE._

SHE, who finds herself thus (properly) adapted both in _Body_ and _Mind_, according to the _Rules_ of the preceding _Chapter_, does a Good and Laudable Work, if she also studies to _qualify_ herself well, _first_ in the _THEORY_, and then in the _PRACTICE_ of _Midwifery_.

WHICH, in order that she may most easily and accurately do, I shall reduce the whole _Theoretical Part_ (absolutely necessary) to the following _Seven general Heads_; of Which she ought not only to have a general and superficial, but also a distinct, special, and perfect _Knowledge_; viz.

I. OF the _external_ and _internal Parts_ of Generation, and the _adjacent Parts_; together with a competent Skill of the respective _Substance_ and _Nature_, _Connexion_ and _Function_ of each of _These_ in the Time of _BIRTH_.

II. OF the PELVIS, or _Bason_, and its _Contents_; together with the true Knowledge of its _Bones_, their _Form_ or _Figure_, _Office_ and _Connexion_, &c. upon that Occasion.

III. OF that Wonderful _Body_, the MATRIX, and its _Vagina_ or _Neck_; together with the understanding of its _Substance_ and _Structure_, _Duty_ and _Function_ in Time of LABOUR.

IV. OF the Strange Natural _Qualities_, and amazing singular _Faculties_ of This _Body_, in distinguishing all its peculiar _Properties_.

V. OF the TOUCH, or _Handling_ the _Woman_; together with knowing its many various _Uses_, and manifold distinct _Advantages_.

VI. OF the _Genuine_, and _Real_; as well as of the _Spurious_ or _Bastard-Labour-Pains_: How they differ in themselves, and are to be carefully distinguished.

VII. OF the _Method_ of LAYING the _Woman_, and _Manner_ of extracting the AFTER-BIRTH; together with all the _heterogeneous_ and _preternatural Contents_ of the WOMB.

THESE _speculative Heads_, in short, shall be the particular _Subjects_ of the respective _Chapters_, of the consequent Part of this SECTION, for the requisite _Instruction_ and indispensible _Qualification_ of all young _MIDWIVES_: As the _Practical Part_ shall be the _Subject-Matter_ of the two next following SECTIONS. Which _Practical Part_, I shall now likewise reduce to the _Three_ subsequent general _Heads_; of which she ought also to have a full and compleat _Knowledge_, viz.

I. OF the various _Methods_ to be taken for the present _Ease_, and expeditious _Relief_ of the LABOURING _Woman_.

II. OF the discreet _Method_ of TURNING an ill-situated _INFANT_, (whatsoever the preternatural _Posture_ may be) and drawing it forth _safely_ by the FEET.

III. OF Her own personal _Duty_ (as _MIDWIFE_) both to the _MOTHER_ and the _CHILD_ after _Delivery_; as also towards all _Labouring Women_, to whom she may be call’d, upon _critical Conjunctures_.

THESE I call _practical Heads_, because they depend more upon _Practice_ and _Experience_, or _Judgment_ and _Charity_, than upon any _fundamental Rules_; which however yet ought also to be reckon’d _Branches_ of her _THEORY_.

BUT notwithstanding all these natural and acquir’d _Qualifications_, the _young MIDWIFE_ is not to run at once into the _Practice_: Nor to hurry herself rashly to lay _Hands_ upon the _ARK_, before she is thoroughly well accomplished for so sacred a _Work_; lest (like _Uzzah_) _she_ be punished for her _Temerity_; whereof I have seen several exemplary _Precedents_. No, the _Work_ is too important, and the _Concern_ too weighty for that hasty indiscreet _Undertaking_; for there is no less than the _Life_ of the MOTHER, and _one_ CHILD at least, (if not sometimes _more_) at _Stake_: Both which may be soon saved, or quickly lost, according to the Good or Bad _Conduct_ and _Management_ of the _MIDWIFE_.

WHEREFORE, to the End, that she may obtain the necessary _Experience_, and perfect her Judgment, _&c._ in due Course, she ought to satisfy herself at first to go (for some time) as an _Assistant_ to some _skilful Woman_ of good Business, and so by degrees advance herself into the _Practice_: Because _Dexterity_ in this _ART_, is only acquir’d by _Time_ and _Exercise_; the _practical Part_ of _MIDWIFERY_ being attended with so many complicated Circumstances of _accidental Difficulties_, that it is almost impossible for any Persons, who never apply’d themselves this way, to believe how much it differs from all the _THEORY_, that the most ingenious _MAN_ can make himself _Master_ of.

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_.

V. HE ought, in fine, to _handle_ Her _decently_, and treat her _gently_; considering _Her_ as the _weaker Vessel_, whose elegant tender BODY, will admit of no _rough Usage_: Wherefore upon this Account it is, that I would have all _Practitioners_ whatsoever in this ART, debarr’d from the _Use_ of _INSTRUMENTS_, which would secure many a MOTHER from being wounded or mangled, and many an INFANT from being cut or torn to Pieces.

NOT that I would be thought for all that to imitate Mr. _Mauriceau_, saying of himself (in some Passages of his _Book_ of _MIDWIFERY_) that _he differs from all others_: No, far from it; For I have the _Indisputable Authority_ of the most Learned and Polite _Practisers_ on my side, as mention’d before in _Chap._ 1. of this _SECTION_.

HOWEVER yet, I do not deny, but that _INSTRUMENTS_ have been universally used, till of late Years; but the reason of That is Plain: Because in former Times, MEN were only call’d upon _extraordinary Occasions_; some of which (however Skilful and Ingenious) had not the Opportunity of _Laying a Woman_ perhaps in many Months. For which Reason it could not be otherways, but that they must have been at a loss in not understanding thoroughly the _Practical Part_, having so few Opportunities of improving _manual Operation_: Whereas since the _Politer Part_ of the World has call’d them generally to the ordinary and common _Practice_ of this _ART_; they have advanced their _Dexterity_ by degrees, and are now come to the length of discharging that _Office_ by _Slight of Hand_ only, which formerly required so many _frightful INSTRUMENTS_.

I may well indeed say _frightful_; for what can be more inconsistent with the tender _NATURE_ of _Women_, or more _terrible_ to them, than to see MEN come _armed_ against _Themselves_ and their _tenderer INFANTS_, with _Knives_, _Hooks_, _Iron-Forceps_, &c. thereby (as it were) to _help_ them in time of their extremest _Agony_? For my part, I am Positive, that let who will use _INSTRUMENTS_, they _kill_ many more _INFANTS_ than they _save_, and _ruin_ many more _WOMEN_ than they _deliver_ fairly: And this, I think, will be easily agreed to, by all those who have any Knowledge of the _Parts_ of _Generation_ in that SEX; as (I believe) it is also sufficiently evident even to _Those_ who have no _Judgment_ that way, by the notorious _Fatalities_ and tragical _Events_ they daily hear of in Fact.

HOWEVER I know, some _Chirurgeon-Practitioners_ are too much acquainted with the _Use_ of _INSTRUMENTS_, to lay them aside; no, they do not (it may be) think themselves in their _Duty_, or proper _Office_, if they have not their cruel _Accoutrements_ in Hand: And what is most unaccountable and unbecoming a _Christian_, is that, when they have perhaps wounded the _MOTHER_, kill’d the _INFANT_, and with violent _Torture_ and inexpressible _Pain_, drawn it out by _Piece-meal_, they think no _Reward_ sufficient for such an extraordinary Piece of mangled Work.

BUT, in short, I would advise such to practise _Butchery_ rather than _MIDWIFERY_; for in _that Case_, they could _sell_ what they _slay_; but in _this_, by _handling_ MAN so, they only bring _Infamy_ upon their _Profession_, and expose it to the _Contempt_ and _Hatred_ of OTHERS.

COVETOUSNESS is the blackest of _Vices_, and in this _Case_ (I am sure) it is an unpardonable SIN, to thirst after sordid _Lucre_ for procuring the _Health_ or preserving the _Life_ of our Neighbour; as, I doubt, is but too common among some mercenary People: Who (as we have been creditably inform’d) have refus’d to take _Women_ in Hand at the very Point of Extremity or Time of Need, before a certain SUM of _Money_ was first deposited; tho’ perhaps borrow’d upon _Pledge_, or collected amongst their charitable _Neighbours_ for GOD’Ssake.

I do not say however, but that the _Workman_ is worthy of his _Reward_, and _That_ which ought to be paid according to the _Merit_ and _Dignity_ of his Performance; not according to the _Time_ he spends about it, as hired _Labourers_ are paid their WAGES: No, that fruitless _Labour_ would not be worth while; no _Gentleman_ would undertake MIDWIFERY upon such unprofitable _Terms_: For as it is in his Power to save the _Life_ of the MOTHER, or the INFANT, or _Both_, (which he often does effectually) _He_ undoubtedly deserves an extraordinary _Recompence_ worthy of so great and good a PIECE of SERVICE.