The compleat midwifes practice, in the most weighty and high concernments of the birth of man. Containing perfect rules for midwifes and nurses, as also for women in their conception, bearing, and nursing of children: from the experience not onely of our English, but also the most accomplisht and absolute practicers among the French, Spanish, Italian, and other nations. A work so plain, that the weakest capacity may easily attain the knowledge of the whole art. With instructions of the midwife to the Queen of France (given to her daughter a little before her death) touching the practice of the said art. / Published with the approbation and good liking of sundry the most knowing professors of midwifery now living in the city of London, and other places. Illustrated with severall cuts in brass. By T.C. I.D. M.S. T.B. practitioners.

Of two Deliveries of one Woman.

THere was a Woman who being come to a sufficient age became big: she causeth two of the best Midwives of the Country to assist her in her Lying in; the hour being come, they did as art commanded them, which was, the Child coming wel into the vvorld, to keep her in a good situation, to cause her to eat things vvhich vvere only to the purpose, to keep her moderately vvarm, & then to bring her pains to a good issue. I excuse the passion and impati∣ence of Friends, but I vvould not do any thing against my duty for complacency; a fault that is soon committed, but not so easily repented of; This Woman vvas pretty long, as most Women are of their first Children, in vvhich time her Husband altogether impatient, & seeing her to doubt the report of the Midvvives, there∣fore said he, here is a Chirurgeon hard by, vvho may be sent for to resolve the doubt of the Midvvives; he sent for him just about the hour that the Woman vvas to be brought to bed: The Chirurgeon vvhen he came savv that the child vvas ready to come forth. The Midvvives vvho had given vvay to the Chi∣rurgeon, thinking to take their place again as

soon as he had touched her, to make his re∣port, 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 & a lusty child, but moreover that he would render his Wife also in a safe condition. The Midwives when they would have spoken were put to silence. The Gentlewoman vvas presently delivered, and he stayed but a litle while to receive: thus the Midwives that had attended long, and all the while of the Travail were despised, and put off, and the Chirurgeon extolled and praised, and wel rewarded, with several most obliging and curteous invitations. About a year after he was entertained 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 confidence in the Chi∣rurgeon, that he set his minde 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 instru∣ments, 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 instrument: in the mean time he sent into the kitchen for the ladle, with the hook at the end thereof, to draw forth the child; he drew so

wel; that he drew away the life of the childe, and without seeking any further for any body to saddle his horse, or bidding any body fare∣wel, he fled his wayes. This may be an instru∣ction to those that are so ready to entertaine Mountebanks, and Empericks; then vvhom there are no men more prodigal of the life of ano∣ther for money.