Observations in midwifery : as also The country midwifes opusculum or vade mecum / by Percival Willughby (1596-1685); edited from the original MS. by Henry Blenkinsop, 1863.

  • Willughby, Percival, 1596-1685.
Date:
1863
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations in midwifery : as also The country midwifes opusculum or vade mecum / by Percival Willughby (1596-1685); edited from the original MS. by Henry Blenkinsop, 1863. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    There bee diverse births mentioned by severall Auctors, with their j various formes of the child proceeding forth of the womb, expressed, j and shewed bj their schemes. All which may bee reduced to two, either to the head, or to the feet. The birth, comming by the head, is called a naturall birth. The birth by the feet is called by mid wives an unnatural! birth. To these may be added the buth by the buttocks, which is not usuall. And by one of these three wayes all women bee dehvered. But, for that the birth, comming by the buttocks, may bee easily altered, and that tlie infant may bee brought forth by the feet; as also, j for that this birth hath been fatal to some women, and may again prove I dangerous to others, unles it bee turned to tiie feet, I therefore say, I tliat all births bee produced either by the Head or by the feet, All unnatui-all buths comming by the arme, belly, or back, side, or buttocks, or by the knees, or with a distorted neck, may easily and quickly bee brouglit to the feet. 1