And to
do this more easily, and that the hold may be surer, wrap a linen cloth
round the child's thighs, taking care to bring it into the hand face
downwards.
In case of flux of blood, if the neck of the womb be open, it must be
considered whether the infant or the _secundine_, generally called the
afterbirth, comes first, and as the latter happens to do so
occasionally, it stops the mouth of the womb and hinders the birth, and
endangers both the woman's and the child's life. In this case the
afterbirth must be removed by a quick turn. They have deceived many
people, who, feeling their softness, have supposed that the womb was not
dilated, and by that means the woman and child, or at least the latter,
have been lost. When the afterbirth has been removed, the child must be
sought for and drawn out, as directed above; and if the woman or the
child die in such a case, the midwife or the surgeon are blameless
because they have used their best endeavours.
If it appears upon examination that the afterbirth comes first, let the
woman be delivered as quickly as possible, because a great flow of blood
will follow, for the veins are opened, and on this account two things
have to be considered.
_First_:--The manner in which the afterbirth advances, whether it be
much or little.
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