., it must be remedied, as well as it can be,
by the placing her body accordingly; or, if it be a vicious
conformation, having the neck too hard, too callous, too straight, it
must be anointed with oil and ointments, as before directed. If the
membranes be so strong that the waters do not break in due time, they
may be broken with the fingers, if the midwife be first well assured
that the child is come forward into the passage, and ready to follow
presently after; or else, by the breaking of the waters too soon, the
child may be in danger of remaining dry a long time; to supply which
defect, you may moisten the parts with fomentations, decoctions, and
emollient oils; which yet is not half so well as when nature does her
work in her own time, with the ordinary slime and waters. The membranes
sometimes do press forth with the waters, three or four fingers' breadth
out of the body before the child resembling a bladder full of water; but
there is no great danger in breaking them, if they be not already
broken; for when the case is so, the child is always in readiness to
follow, being in the passage, but let the midwife be very careful not to
pull it with her hand, lest the after-burden be thereby loosened before
its time, for it adheres thereto very strongly. If the navel-string
happen to come first, it must presently be put up again, and kept so, if
possible, or otherwise, the woman must be immediately delivered. But if
the after-burden should come first, it must not be put up again by any
means; for the infant having no further occasion for it, it would be but
an obstacle if it were put up; in this case, it must be cut off, having
tied the navel-string, and afterwards draw forth the child with all
speed that may be, lest it be suffocated.

SECT. V.--_Of Women labouring of a dead Child._

When the difficulty of labour arises from a dead child, it is a great
danger to a mother and great care ought to be taken therein; but before
anything be done, the midwife ought to be well assured that the child is
dead indeed, which may be known by these signs.

(1) The breast suddenly slacks, or falls flat, or bags down. (2) A great
coldness possesses the belly of the mother, especially about the navel.
(3) Her urine is thick, with a filthy stinking settling at the bottom.
(4) No motion of the child can be perceived; for the trial whereof, let
the midwife put her hand into warm water, and lay it upon the belly, for
that, if it is