The compleat midwife's practice enlarged in the most weighty and high concernments of the birth of man containing a perfect directory or rules for midwives and nurses : as also a guide for women in their conception, bearing and nursing of children from the experience of our English authors, viz., Sir Theodore Mayern, Dr. Chamberlain, Mr. Nich. Culpeper ... : with instructions of the Queen of France's midwife to her daughter ... / by John Pechey ... ; the whole illustrated with copper plates.

Of two Deliveries of one Woman.

THere was a Woman, who being come to a suffici∣ent age, became big: she causeth two of the best Midwives of the Countrey to assist her in her Lying in; the hour being come, they did as Art command∣ed them, which was, The Child coming well into the world; to keep her in a good situation, to cause her to eat things which were only for the purpose, to keep

her moderately warm, and then to bring her pains to a good issue. I excused the passion and impatience of friends, but I would not do any thing against my duty for complacency; a fault that is soon committed, but not so easily repented of; This Woman was pretty long, as most Women are of their first Children; in which time her husband, altogether impatient, and see∣ing her to doubt the report of the Midwives, There∣fore, said he, here is a Chirurgeon hard by, who may be sent for to resolve the doubt of the Midwives; he sent for him just about the hour that the Woman was to be brought to bed: The Chirurgeon when he came, saw that the Child was ready to come forth. The Midwives who had given way to the Chirurgeon, thinking to take their place again as soon as he had touched her, to make his report, were deceived; for he seeing the business ready to be done, told her Husband that it was necessary for him to operate, but that he would proceed with so much industry, that he would not only bring forth a sound and a lusty child, but moreo∣ver that he would render his wife also into a safe condi∣tion. The Midwives when they would have spoken, were put to silence. The Gentlewoman was presently delivered, and he stayed but a little while to receive his reward: Thus the Midwives that had attended long, and all the while of the Travail, were dispised, and put off; and the Chirurgeon extolled and praised, and well rewarded with several most obliging and courteous invitations. About a year after, he was en∣tertained upon the former score like a Prince; the hour of her Labour came again; and the Gentleman was gone to visit some of his friends, having such a confi∣dence in the Chirurgeon, that he set his mind at rest for any danger. The Labour of this child was not like the Labour of the other child; for it came with the feet foremost; and when the whole body was come

forth, the head could not be got forth. He had brought with him no instruments, thinking that this Delivery would have been like the other; but seeing himself at a stand, he sent to a Chirurgeon not far off for an Istru∣ment: in the mean time, he sent into the kitchen for a Ladle, with a hook at the end thereof, to draw forth the child. He drew it so well, that he drew away the life of the child: and without seeking any further for any body to saddle his horse, or bidding any body fare∣well, he fled his wayes. This may be an instruction to those that are so ready to entertain Mountebanks, and Empericks; than whom, there are no men more prodigal of the life of another for money.