hing should be carefully
arranged and prepared. The physician should be spoken to and be given
the time as near as can be calculated. The arrangement of the bed,
bed clothing, the dress for the mother and the expected babe should be
arranged for convenient and immediate use.

2. A bottle of sweet oil, or vaseline, or some pure lard should be
in readiness. Arrangements should be made for washing all soiled
garments, and nothing by way of soiled rags or clothing should be
allowed to accumulate.

3. A rubber blanket, or oil or waterproof cloth should be in readiness
to place underneath the bottom sheet to be used during labor.

4. As soon as labor pains have begun a fire should be built and hot
water kept ready for immediate use. The room should be kept well
ventilated and comfortably warm.

5. No people should be allowed in or about the room except the nurse,
the physician, and probably members of the family when called upon to
perform some duty.

6. During labor no solid food should be taken; a little milk, broth or
soup may be given, provided there is an appetite. Malt or spirituous
liquors should be carefully avoided. A little wine, however, may be
taken in case of great exhaustion. Lemonade, toast, rice water, and
tea may be given when desired. Warm tea is considered an excellent
drink for the patient at this time.

7. When the pains become regular and intermit, it is time that the
physician is sent for. On the physician's arrival he will always take
charge of the case and give necessary instructions.

8. In nearly all cases the head of the child is presented first. The
first pains are generally grinding and irregular, and felt mostly in
the groins and within, but as labor progresses the pains are felt in
the abdomen, and as the head advances there is severe pain in the back
and hips and a disposition to bear down, but no pressure should be
placed upon the abdomen of the patient; it is often the cause of
serious accidents. Nature will take care of itself.

9. Conversation should be of a cheerful character, and all allusions
to accidents of other child births should be carefully avoided.

10. ABSENCE OF PHYSICIAN.--In case the child should be born in the
absence of the physician, when the head is born receive it in the hand
and support it until the shoulders have been expelled, and steady the
whole body until the child is born. Support the child with both hands
and lay it as far from the mother as possible w