SECT. IV.
CHAP. I.
Of MIDWIFERY.
BIRTH, and whatever may depend of, take Rise from, or have any antecedent, concomitant, or consequent Relation to it, is the only proper Business of Midwifery, and justly deemed the common Boundary of the Knowledge and Practice of the Midwife.
WHICH Art of Midwifery is (in itself) as excellent and ingenious, as its Practice is useful, and absolutely necessary to the Commonwealth; insomuch that this will admit of no Contradiction, when we rightly consider the following few, but important, general Heads, to which I reduce it throughout this Work, viz.
I. THIS Art distinguisheth a Fertile from a Sterile or Barren Womb; it supports and corroborates the one, and rectifies and cures the other, in most (if not in all) Cases.
II. IT distinguisheth an impregnated from an unconceived Womb, a real from a false Big-Belly, and a natural from a preternatural CONCEPTION.
III. IT teacheth the Regimen of the conceived Woman, for averting the Severity of the Symptoms of the several Months, and all acute Diseases, in order to strengthen the Infant, and prevent any Miscarriage.
IV. IT instructeth by the Touch or Handling only, to discover, from time to time, the true State and Condition of the Conceived Woman, not only during the Time of Pregnancy, but also before and in the time of Labour.
V. IT immediately (in the beginning of Labour) discriminates a Natural from a Preternatural, and an easy and speedy from a difficult and lingring future Birth.
VI. IT presently discovers any one or more of the many different, general, or particular CAUSES of difficult or preternatural Births.
VII. IT informeth the fair Practiser how to remove and correct those CAUSES, and deliver the Woman, not at all by butcherly Instruments, but by Judgment and Help of Hand only.
VIII. IT sheweth not only how to extract dead Children, and sometimes Monsters, but also false Conceptions, Superfœtations, Moles, &c.
IX. AND Lastly, this Art teacheth the true Regimen of the CHILD-BED-WOMAN, and her BABE, together with the proper Methods and Means of HELP in all Cases incident to them Both.
THESE Heads (I think) fully comprehend the whole Art of Midwifery: And what can be more ingenious now? What can be more conducive to the common Good, or more serviceable to any Country, than the Preservation of the Health and Lives of its multiplying WOMEN and CHILDREN?
THIS Art has been in such Esteem among the ANTIENTS, that it was (in all Ages) the Study of the most Learned Physicians; tho’ its Practice succeeded best only, first in France, then in Italy, and afterwards in Germany. For in these Countrys their Women of all Ranks (the most Precise and Virtuous) have accustom’d themselves (upon this Occasion) to lay aside all childish Bashfulness and imaginary Modesty, in order to secure their Own and their Childrens Safety, by inviting the Assistance of both SEXES. And indeed MEN (whom I may justly call the truest and best Boethogynists) being better versed in Anatomy, better acquainted with Physical Helps, and commonly endued with greater Presence of Mind, have been always found readier or discreeter, to devise something more new, and to give quicker Relief in Cases of difficult or preternatural BIRTHS, than common MIDWIFES generally understand; By which means it comes to pass, that this Art is now brought to its greatest Perfection in these Countries: Insomuch that, if I might be allowed to adopt a new Term into our Language, instead of MAN-MIDWIFE, which seems to be a Contradiction in Terms, I would call him the Andro-Boethogynist, or Man-Helper of Woman, for his excellent Skill in MIDWIFERY.
MOREOVER, the Authors of these Countries have not been remiss, in communicating their Experience and Methods taken to prevent and remedy the many various Difficulties which have occurred in this nice Affair. No, Senertus, Rod. à Castro, Viardel, Mauriceau, Portal, Daventer, Bartine, Garofanzzo, Pfizerus, &c. have promerited our immortal Praises as well as Thanks, for such famous and generous Instances as they have given of their great Beneficence to MANKIND.
THE Four latter have made vast Improvements of this Art: but particularly, the most Learned, Ingenious, and excellent Physicians, and Men-Midwives, (as vulgarly called) Sig. Garofanzzo and Pfizerus (my most honoured Instructors in this Art) have absolutely perfected the Work begun by others; for their Rules are firmly founded on sound Anatomy, and their Doctrines are more extensive, particular, plain, and infallible, than all their PREDECESSORS Discoveries.
THEY explain this ART upon firm Mathematical Foundations, and solid Demonstrations of Truth. Besides they give many new, and most necessary Directions, in regard to Touching or Handling of Women; whereby MIDWIVES may not only foresee all Difficulties, which can possibly happen, but also prevent them in due Time.
THEIR great Ingenuity and Dexterity in this ART, has (to the Glory of GOD Almighty’s good Providence, and the Honour of their own Profession) rendred the Use of Instruments, not only needless and superfluous, but also odious and ridiculous. They instruct us how to remedy the most difficult Occurrences, by a right Understanding of the Business, and a nice subtile skilful HAND only, without any manner of other INSTRUMENT; excepting only in the Case of a MONSTROUS or dead BIRTH.
UPON whose great Authorities, and the small Knowledge I myself have of the Parts of Generation, if I affirm the imminent and manifest Danger of such dilating Instruments, as are commonly us’d upon every trifling Occasion, I hope it will not be taken amiss by the READER: Since my Design is not so much to discourage any in their Practice, as only to excite such Practitioners to apply themselves to the above-mention’d far more Safe, Easy, and Commendable Method: which if they shall think fit to do, the Excellency of the Profession will shine as bright Here as in other Parts of the World; and at the same time, the absurd Imputations and false Suggestions of the Ignorant (who imagine all Women to be deliver’d either by Chance, or by such barbarous Usage) will be clean wip’d off: For (I am fully satisfy’d) that our Art, no ways depends upon Chance or Fortune, and running any Risque or Hazard; but (to the contrary) on as firm a Foundation, and as infallible Rules, as a great many other Professions, which however yet are sometimes subject to ACCIDENTS. All which I shall endeavour to make evidently appear, in the next SECTION; where I shall treat of the Causes of difficult and preternatural BIRTHS, together with the respective Methods of preventing, correcting, or removing them effectually.