- BOTANIC PHYSICIAN. = 
from being soiled. After delivery, this is removed, and the clean — 
_ linen suffered to drop down, which leaves her already prepared for 
rest. - Another circumstance should also be attended to, which may 
di ble consequences, that is, to empty the rectum and 
er of their contents, when labor is expected ; otherwise the 
sure of the foctus might cause their evacuation during that period. 
_ he woman should be allowed to choose her own position in which 
‘to be delivered, whether it be while lying on her back, er side; sit- | 
ting/on the edge of the bed, or in a chair; in a standing posture, or 
upon her knees. It will greatly assist the pains if the woman, hav- 
ing her feet braced, should have some convenience fixed to lay hold 
of with her hands. and pull towards her breast, which will help to 
compress the abdomen and forward the expulsion. Holding the 
breath during a pain is also of service. Ai 3 
The'navel cord should never be cut, or its.circulation obstructed, 
ns of life appears in the child; or till it breathes. If this does 
place soon, we should attempt to bring it to life, by spirting 
andy on its breast and temples, and by blowing in. its mouth and 
ostrils, at the same time compressing and dilating the chest as in 
therbreathing. Friction with the warm hand, and bathing the bow- 
els with spirits, may also "be tried. When the child is freed from 
the mother, the attendant should wash it clean in warm water, and 
a = sy — in the neck, &c,; and if it is faint and 
feeble, { may slightly bathed with spirits. I uld then be 
made diy) and dressed. - tlt 
During the whole progress of the operation, the accoucheur should 
conduct himself in a calm and celle manner ; for the eye of the 
woman. 1s upon him, watchiag every change of his countenance, - — 
and auguring favorably or unfavorably of the termination, accord- 
_Conclusion.—I have devoted particular attention to the subject 
midwifery, beeause, as I believe, no branch of the healing art 
las been, and is now, so generally abused in practice as this; and 
_ in no branch are the effects of mal-practice so severely felt. _Thou- 
- sands of women are literally torn to pieces, in delivery, and made 
miserable and decrepid forever afterwards, by the rash, unnatural 
and brutal management of practitioners, some of whom, en these 
_ occasions, fall at the unfortunate sufferer like famished wolves, and 
_ Seem to think it their duty to drag the child into the world by main 
force, in almost all cases. Such conduct is outrageous, and cannot 
be too strongly condemned. Science, however useful in its proper : 
place, can never supplant the powers of N ature, in bringing the child 
_ Into the world, and whenever it is attempted, it is certain to frustrate 
and derange the process, endangering the lives of both mother and 
child. Therefore, never meddle, for it cannot be done with impunity. 
Much may be done preparatory for this. event, to mitigate its se- 
‘Verity and remove all occasion. for those dreadful apprehensions 
_ Which a state of pregnancy extites in most females, and which are 
. ently but too well grounded. I cannot bring myself to believe 
sufferings, the injuries, and death which so many fem: 
are necessary consequences of the ceprodi 
