£*•

442 ESOTERIC ANTHROPOLOGY.
untary, and may occur even after apparent death. But
the patient endeavors to assist, and probably does assist
the expulsive effort, by hold
ing her breath and bearing
down with the muscles of the
thorax and abdomen.
At first, the membranes,
filled with the amniotic fluid,
press through the mouth of
the uterus, and aid in its ex
pansion. As the pressure
increases, the membranes
break, and the waters gush
out. The uterus, suddenly
contracting, seems to gather
Successive positions in birth,when new force, and the foetus
the face presents anteriorly. .
. , ,, _ ,
is pressed rapidly forward.
In a vast, majority of cases, we fitid the head present
ing, with the face downward, so that the crown of the
head is first born. In a few cases the face is upward,
and born first. In very rare cases, the feet or the
breech present. In still more rare ones, we may have
an arm, or shoulder, or any part of the body.
I will give a careful and exact account of the manner
in which I am accustomed to give my professional as
sistance, in an average case of natural labor ; with direc
tions for any probable contingencies. I do this as the
best means of instructing others, and in the hope that
it may prevent my ever being called upon, except, by
some one who has personal claims upon me, for a simi
lar service.
When called to a patient, my first object is to estab-