CHAPTER XLI. On the Diseases Occurring After Childbirth:

to give (see No. 20) or have [her] drink, little by little, tea brewed from chamomile. 186. During the woman’s labor pains, the midwife (*tat*) must not become flustered, but ought to caress [her], strengthen her resolve, and care for her by giving hope, counsel, and sympathy. The surroundings of the woman in labor must be kept clean, and whenever the child's head appears, the midwife must not pull it out by force, but merely hold [it] with care until the child is delivered in the natural course [of things]. 187. After the child is born, it is the midwife’s duty to lay him down in such a manner that the umbilical cord (*porti aghik’*) is not stretched, gently squeeze out the blood, then tie it four fingerbreadths above the child’s navel (as is customary), and cut [it] with scissors one fingerbreadth above the tie. 188. Thereafter, it is the midwife’s duty to pay attention to whether the child has any bodily defect, or whether the passages for the belly and urine (*jrvēt’*) are open or not, etc. If it should be necessary, a physician must be summoned promptly. 189. If it is observed that upon coming into the world the child is feeble, the color of his face drained, or turned blue, or swollen, and the signs of life are doubtful, at that time, even if the child’s afterbirth (*enker*) has not yet come out, one must not wait, but promptly tie the navel [cord] and render aid to the child thus: A. Let them wrap around a finger a fine linen cloth moistened in water, and with that wipe the slobber from the mouth. B. Let them place half a pinch of common salt upon the tongue. C. Let them sprinkle cold water upon the child. D. Let them hold before the nose vinegar, or crushed onion, or mustard (*ktsuich’*), or garlic. E. From behind, let them insert a finely shaved piece of tallow candle [into the rectum].

- 61 -

190. After an easy delivery, in the first [few] days, so long as signs of fever appear in the newly delivered mother,

*) If the child does not come straight [i.e., in a normal presentation], or when another difficult case like this occurs, the midwife must not rely upon herself, but must have a physician called; if there be no physician, [then] another old and experienced midwife.