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.

by John Maubray

IN this Case, the MIDWIFE knowing herself to be better qualified than Others, and that Another not equally expert is able to lay the Former, she ought to attend and assist the Latter: And That also notwithstanding the First be Rich, and the Latter, Poor; since GOD is no Respecter of Persons.

BUT, if it happen, that one Rich, and another poor Woman, want Help both at a time, and are in equal Danger: In that Case, without any regard to the one’s WEALTH, or the other’s POVERTY; the MIDWIFE is to assist Her first, whom Divine Providence first call’d her to, or first engag’d her withal. And as the Cases of Women in Labour may differ, so she ought impartially to act and dispose of herself; having always an Eye to something superiour to, and far above that of mean Lucre.

CHAP. IV.
Of the QUALIFICATIONS of the Extraordinary MIDWIFE.

THE Extraordinary MIDWIFE, or Andro-Boethogynist (whether Physician or Surgeon practicing this Art) ought not only to be endued with all the Qualities and Qualifications mentioned in the Two preceding Chapters, but also to excel the Woman-Midwife in many special Particulars, and ingenious Points; which no ways belong to her Female Province.

FOR it is not enough that He knows how to relieve and lay the labouring Woman, however difficult or preternatural her Case may be; nor is it sufficient that he understands how to help and succour both the MOTHER and the INFANT after such a Delivery: No, so much of his Business might be easily learn’d and enhanced by old Women, were they but Docile, and not such obstinate Creatures.

BUT He ought farther also to know (first) how to prevent all preternatural Disasters incident to both the one and the other, in their respective States of Child-Bed and Infancy: And, Secondly, how to administer Relief and perform the Cure, in Case of any dismal Accident whatsoever to one or either of them in their dangerous Condition.

MOREOVER, his Knowledge ought neither to commence nor terminate in these Things; it being also his Duty over and above to know, how to conduct the Woman safely through all the Months of GESTATION, and to avert from her the Severity of their respective SYMPTOMS, to which she is so much expos’d, as mentioned in their proper Chapters, Sect. III. And not only so neither, but He ought also to understand well, how to guard against the Accesses of all Acute Diseases, so as at least to avert their ill Consequences; and especially (of course) to know thoroughly how to prevent ABORTION itself.

THESE are the Cases which most commonly require the ingenious Assistance of the Extraordinary MIDWIFE: And These are they which try his Skill and Knowledge most, as the Tempest or Storm best discovers the Judgment and Capacity of the Master-Mariner.