BUT supposing the HEAD to be very strictly bent or pressed _back_, then the _MIDWIFE_ is to attract it gently _forwards_ by her _Thumb_, or _Fore-Finger_ thrust into its MOUTH; or by the Points of all _Four_ thrust betwixt the WOMB and the _back Part_ of the HEAD. And thus, in fine, the HEAD being _well Turned_, and dextrously brought into the _Passage_; the _Woman_ is then to be placed commodiously for _BIRTH_, and to labour her _Best_ as in other _Cases_.
HOWEVER to this _Case_, I must add, by way of _Remark_ for the _MIDWIFE_’s farther Information and better Government, that, if the HEAD is not brought into the _Passage_, as soon as the _Waters_ have flow’d, it commonly happens, that the HANDS offer themselves _first_; which if she do not instantly repel, the HEAD is turn’d up _forwards_ with the FACE, near the _Chin_, upon the OS PUBIS; in which _Condition_, by reason of the _Siccity_ and _Contraction_ of the WOMB, the only Expedient is to _thrust back_ the ARMS, and so passing the _Hand_ under the _CHILD_’S _Breast_, to take hold of, and extract it by the FEET.
CHAP. XIV. _Of Præternatural BIRTHS, by the Hand, Elbow, Shoulder, Knees, or Buttocks presenting first._
THE _CHILD_ also sometimes offers itself _preternaturally_ to the _Orifice_, with its HAND, ELBOW, SHOULDER, KNEES, or BUTTOCKS _first_: In which _Condition_, the HAND always gives an easier _BIRTH_ than the ELBOW, the ELBOW than the SHOULDER, the SHOULDER than the KNEES, and the KNEES than the BUTTOCKS: For the HAND being commonly placed near the _Head_, it is no great Wonder, if it presents itself _before_, or _along_ with it; as sometimes (after _Flooding_) the HAND may slide together with the _Head_ obliquely to either _Side_, and thereby either ELBOW or SHOULDER unfortunately fall into the _Passage_.
THIS is one great Reason, why I have before inculcated, that the _MIDWIFE_ ought to be diligent and accurate in _Touching_ her Woman, even before the MEMBRANE breaks, that she may thereby discover and prevent this _Case_: Which is easily perform’d, either by _repelling_ the HANDS, or by pinching the _INFANT_ sensibly by the _Fingers_, and then it soon retracts them; for thus, in short, by moving my own _Hand_ seasonably, the HEAD (of its own accord) slips of course down into the _Passage_. But and if it happens otherways, ’tis no difficult Matter to _turn_ and bring it down, by directing my _Fingers_ beyond the FACE to the _CHILD_’s _Forehead_; which however must be done immediately after FLOODING: Whereas, if _This_ be neglected until the _dry_ WOMB is contracted, THEN, and in that _Condition_, the _FEET_ may be looked for, which (in such a _Posture_) are soon found, with the _KNEES_ next the _Belly_; and the _INFANT_ may be readily drawn out by them. But