The Female Physician / Containing all the diseases incident to that sex, in virgins, wives, and widows; together with their causes and symptoms, their degrees of danger, and respective methods of prevention and cure: to which is added, the whole art of new improv'd midwifery; comprehending the necessary qualifications of a midwife, and particular directions for laying women, in all cases of difficult and preternatural births; together with the diet and regimen of both the mother and child.

THIS is manifest, that the Foetus is nourished in the first Months, by the Umbilical Vessels only: But the several following Reasons engage me to think; that, in the latter Months, it is alimented by the Mouth also, and That by a glutinous limpid Liquor: Which, being (probably) secreted from the Amnion for that Purpose, is found to surround it.

I. BECAUSE this Liquor, which seems very proper for that Use, is found not only in the Mouth, but also in the OEsophagus and Stomach of the INFANT.

II. IT is found changed in the smaller Intestines^[23]; and being chylify’d in the Ventricle, it turns to Excrements, call’d Meconium, in the Rectum, or strait Gut.

III. WE find a large Quantity of this Liquor, surrounding the Fœtus in the first Months, and but little in the last; which cannot probably be consum’d any other way, than by the INFANT.

IV. BECAUSE^[24] that the Oesophagus, Intestines, lacteal Vessels, and thoracick Duct, may continue open, and be gradually accustomed to their respective Functions.

THE Infant’s Situation, in the first and middle Months, is various; but, in the latter, it is commonly observ’d to be of an oval Figure: Sitting, with the Head hanging down, and the Chin upon the Breast; the Neck bending forwards, the Back is round; embracing the Knees, which are drawn up towards the Cheeks with its Arms; the Hands commonly hanging down, seem to embrace the Feet; the Heels cling close to the Buttocks; and while the Head is uppermost, the Face is towards the Mother’s Belly.

BUT about the Time of Birth; the Head, which was always before Lighter, becomes considerably Heavier than any other Part. And its ponderous Bulk bearing much smaller Proportion to its Substance than it did before, must needs (consequently) tumble Heels over Head, in the Waters of the Membranes; and the Head falling downwards, the Feet get uppermost, and the Face is turn’d towards the Mother’s Back.

BUT because this is a painful and irksome Posture, however favourable for its Exit; the Motions it makes for its Relief, occasion frequent Pains to the Mother, which cause a Contraction of the WOMB, for the Expulsion of the Infant.

AND, in short, this being the natural Posture of the Infant in the WOMB, its preternatural Positions may from thence be easily conceived.