7G /THE SICK MAK S COMPANION. 



keep in a gentle perspiration during 

 of delivery^ at whicU time, or a 

 before, you will receive great advantage:* 

 pplying a cloth of several thicknesses^ wet 

 \nth warm water, to relax the muscles; which 

 ^lay he repeated till nature is ready for the ope- 

 ration; at which time, the waters, that we hefore 

 mentioned, usually hegin to flow, the bearing 

 down pains continue, and the child enters the 

 world gradually. When the head ol the child 

 is passed, the woman is somewhat relieved and 

 should be allowed a little rest; you are by no 

 means to force out the body of the child in any 

 way, for by so doin^, you may very easily injure 

 the softer parts, and render the after-birih more 

 difficult to deliver. The woman should rather 

 be encouraged to slacken her exertion, and not 

 continue to force and bear down for the purpose 

 of expelling the child too soon, as in that case it 

 might cause the rupture of the perineum, or that 

 thin part between the fp.ndamentaud birth-place; 

 which would leave the rngtherin a wretched sit- 

 uation, perhaps fur life. And here it may be 

 remarked, that it is the duty of the physician or 

 midwife, as the chiWFs head passes, to keep one 

 hand cautiously but firmly pressed against this 

 part; and at the same time, gently incline the 

 head of the child upwards. After sufficient rest, 

 and the pains are again renewed, the hand must 



ed on the perenium. with steadiness 



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