"the guarding of the bed." This is done in the following way:--Cover the bed with a very large skin of red leather (which is sold for the occasion) attach tapes to each corner of it, which fasten to each bed-post; over this, dirty folded blankets and sheets should be placed. The above plan will effectually protect the bed from injury.

71. The lying-in room should be kept comfortably warm, but not hot.

72. Many attendants are not only unnecessary, but highly improper: they only excite the patient, and cause noise. One female friend, besides the accoucheur and nurse, are all that are necessary. In making the selection of a friend, take care that she has been the mother of a family, that she is a strong-minded woman, and that she is of a cheerful turn of mind. At these times all

"croakers should be carefully be carefully avoided. During the progress of labour, boisterous and noisy conversation should never be allowed; it only irritates and excites the patient. Although boisterous merriment is bad, yet at

such times, quiet, cheerful, and agreeable conversation, cannot be too strongly recommended. Mothers are very often present on these occasions, but of all persons they are the most improper, as they tend, from their great anxiety, rather to depress than to cheer the spirits of the female.

73. Another preparation for labour is to cheer the patient, by telling her of the comparative safety of confinements, and by assuring her that, in the generality of instances, it is a natural process, and that all she has to do is to keep up her spirits, and to adhere strictly to the rules of her medical adviser, and she will do well. The medical man, too, will be able to administer great comfort to her when he has "tried a pain," and can assure her that it "is all right and straight" -that is to say, that the child is presenting in the most favourable position, and that every thing is progressing satisfactorily.

74. French brandy should always be in the house at these times, in case it is wanted; but let me urge upon the attendants,

the importance of witholding it from a lyingin woman, unless it be ordered by the medical man. Numbers have fallen victims to its being indiscriminately given. I am of opinion that the great caution which is now adopted in giving spirits to women in labour, is one reason among others, of the great safety of the confinements of the present day, compared with those of former times.

75. A female, during labour, should frequently make water, as by doing so, she will very much expedite her labour. I wish to call attention to this point, as many women (especially with their first children) have suffered severely from not attending to it. If she cannot make water, the medical man should be made acquainted with it.

HINTS TO ATTENDANTS.

76. Supposing a child to be born before the medical man arrives, the attendants should immediately ascertain whether a coil

of navel string be around the neck of the child: if it be, it should be instantly liberated, or the infant may be strangled.

77. Care should be taken that the child has sufficient room to breathe, and that the face of the child is not buried in the clothes. Any mucus about the mouth of the child should be wiped away with a soft napkin, as it may impede respiration.

78. If the infant should be born apparently dead, a few smart blows should be given on the buttocks and back, and rag should be singed under the nose.

79. If these simple means should not quickly succeed, (although they frequently will) artificial respiration should be employed in the following manner:-Let an attendant squeeze the child's nose with her left hand to prevent any passage of air through the nostrils; then let her apply her mouth to the child's mouth and breathe into it to inflate the lungs, as soon as they are inflated, the air should be pressed out again (so as to imitate natural breathing) by the attendant's

right hand.

Again and again should the above process be repeated, and the operator will frequently be rewarded by hearing a convulsive sob, which may be the harbinger of renewed life.

80. The navel string (provided there be pulsation in it) should not be tied till animation be restored, if it be, the child will have but a slight chance of recovery. While the navelstring is left entire, the infant has the advantage of the mother's support.

81. If artificial respiration should not succeed, the child should be immersed up to his neck in a warm bath of 98 degrees, Fahr.

82. Warm water should always be in readiness, more especially if the labour be lingering.

83. Should the child have been born some time, and the medical man not arrived, it may be necessary to tie and divide the navel string. The way to do it is as follows:-A ligature (composed of seven or eight whiteybrown threads) should be tightly tied round