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

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.