CHAP. VI.
Of the various other Accidents incident to the CHILD-BED-WOMAN.
FIRST then, Because these accidental Distempers are very many and numerous, as well as various and different in Kind: SECONDLY, Because some of them have been already treated, or occasionally discoursed upon at large: And, THIRDLY, because others are only to be named in this Place; I shall take leave to include and comprehend them all, for Brevity’s sake, in this present Chapter.
IN order to which, I may first observe, that most (if not All) of these unfortunate Accidents, depend entirely upon the indiscreet Conduct of the MIDWIFE in time of LABOUR, or the ill Management of the Woman after the BIRTH: Since by the prudent and judicious Means of the expert MIDWIFE, many Accidents may be prevented, which otherways must necessarily happen, especially in difficult or preternatural BIRTHS; as also, on the other hand, by treating the Woman orderly, and guiding her carefully, many Distempers may be totally averted, which otherways will inevitably seize the PATIENT. As for Instance——
IT sometimes happens, that she is troubled with a Prolapse, or bearing down of the WOMB, or Vagina, or Both; as also sometimes with a Falling out of the FUNDAMENT: In all which unhappy Conditions the industrious MIDWIFE will find her Instructions, not only with respect to the Cure, but also with respect to the Prevention (which concerns her most) particularly set down and accounted for in SECT. V. Chap. 10, and 11. as she will also, upon Perusal, find the Method of preventing that deplorable Accident, of making a Rupture in, or renting the Perinæum, in Chap. 9.
BUT in case of Contusions, or Smaller Rents in the VULVA, or Vagina, which sometimes cannot be well prevented, especially in the First BIRTHS; such are by no means to be neglected, lest they degenerate into malignant ULCERS: Wherefore they ought to be cured, as soon as possible, after the Woman’s DELIVERY; which Cure is easily performed, when taken in hand betimes, by proper Fomentations, and convenient CATAPLASMS.
SOMETIMES again, the WOMB, the Belly, and the Feet swell much after the BIRTH; which SYMPTOMS commonly proceed from some Cold, or from drinking too much, or from either a Suppression or Diminution of the LOCHIA, or from any irregular way of Living during the time of GESTATION: By which means the vitious HUMOURS, resolving themselves into Flatulencies, swell and puff up both the WOMB and the ABDOMEN; and these Winds descending, have the same Effect upon the Legs. But the Cure, however, of all such SYMPTOMS, is readily accomplished by convenient DIET, proper Fomentations, and discutient Medicines.
HENCE I might orderly descend to an Indefinity of Particulars, deriving from the following general Heads, which I Shall only name at this time; viz. the various Diseases of the PUDENDUM and Vagina, as well as of the MATRIX itself, together with their co-incident SYMPTOMS; as also the divers Distempers, and different SYMPTOMS of the Woman’s BREASTS. But These Subjects being as different as numerous (which I have already hinted) I must refer them to another Opportunity; being resolved to keep the present Work, for the common Good, within the Purchase of all sorts of People as far as possible; and until such time as something on these Heads appears more judicious or elaborate, either from my own, or some more capable Hand, I hope English Women can be at no great Loss for good Instruction, or ready Assistance; especially not in this famous City of London, which is, by the Divine Mercy, abundantly well-stock’d, and singularly well provided, with some of the most excellent Physicians of the Age, as well as with some very ingenious Practisers in the Art of MIDWIFERY.
AND, thus, in fine, having piloted the good Woman (as it were) thro’ the three Gulphs of GESTATION; BIRTH, and CHILD-BED, and at last brought her into safe Harbour; we may now (I hope) securely leave her there, to refit for the same prosperous Voyage again; whilst we, in the next Place, undertake to provide for the Safety of her CARGO, or direct the Regimen and Nursing of the CHILD. And FIRST—