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.