Note 22 — A TREATISE ON MIDWIFERY. (continued 3)

Pray remark the following directions for the choice of a midwife, from Dr. Smellie, p. 448.

“She (the midwife) ought to avoid ALL reflections upon men-practitioners, and when she finds herself at a loss, candidly have recourse to their assistence: on the other hand, this confidence ought to be encouraged by the men, who, when called, instead of openly condemning her method of practice (even though it should be erroneous) ought to make allowance for the weakness of the sex, and rectify what is amiss, without exposing her mistakes. This conduct will as effectually conduce to the welfare of the patient, and operate as a silent rebuke upon the conviction of the midwife, who, finding herself treated so tenderly, will be more apt to call necessary assistence on future occasions, and to consider the ACCOUCHEUR as a MAN OF HONOR and a REAL FRIEND. These gentle methods will prevent that calumny, which too often prevail among the male and female practitioners; and redound to the ADVANTAGE of both: for no ACCOUCHEUR is so perfect, but that he may err sometimes, and on such occasions he must expect to meet with retaliations from those midwives whom he may have roughly used.”