Women who did not give birth due to their health were often seen as less of a woman. Even as far back as Biblical times, women were looked down upon if they were barren.

This whole statement is a true reflection on some of the societal thoughts of women in the eighteenth century. They wanted women to be the perfect balance.

This is quite a contradictory statement considering men's hands for the most part are bigger and thicker than women's hands.

I feel that Maubray says for a woman to not start the practice of midwifery too young because he is encouraging the women to get married and have children of their own first. It could also be a fear of competition. If a woman were to start young she would only get better and better at the practice.

If men and women are practicing the art of midwifery then why is pointing out only the qualifications for women. I feel that this was his way of seeming more knowledgeable at the practice than a woman. Also, why would qualifications be different?

I assume that this is in all caps to show that no matter how skilled a physician or midwife may be that all births are prone to accidents. He obviously wants the people who read this to know that if something terrible happens during a birth, it was most likely an accident.

In early years any deformity on a newborn child was considering monstrous. Many people viewed this as a sign from God, bad luck, or foreshadowing of something bad to come. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monstrous_birth

Midwifery was an art and took lots of skill. However, a man wrote this, so did he use the words ingenuity and dexterity to show how fragile he thought women were.

John Maubray was a Scottish physician and taught midwives in London. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Maubray

The document is basically an argument to why men would serve as better midwives than women.

All of the labors were very similar, but I sensed that William Smellie knew what he was doing over the midwives. He really focused on the science part of birth which is why he was successful.

Rigidity of the membranes is one of the early stages of birth. If the membranes are broken too quickly this results in a premature birth. http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/bios/bios-king-rigid-os.html

William Smellie was an 18th century practitioner and teacher in obstetrics. He was known for his honesty and was credited as being one the the first obstetricians who described the birth process correctly. He was also one of the early pioneers in using forceps. lliam Smellie. The Master of British Midwifery. by R. W. Johnstone Review by: Jane Oppenheimer The Quarterly Review of Biology , Vol. 29, No. 1 (Mar., 1954), p. 52 Published by: The University of Chicago Press Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2812400

reluctant and unwilling. http://www.encyclo.co.uk/define/os%20uteri%20internum

An elongated constriction at the junction of the body and cervix of the uterus. http://www.encyclo.co.uk/define/os%20uteri%20internum

One of the three sections of the hipbone, together these two bones form the front of the pelvis. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/os+pubis

Another term for water breaking during a woman's pregnancy. http://womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/childbirth-beyond/labor-birth.cfm

The vaginal opening of the uterus. http://www.lexic.us/definition-of/mouth_of_the_womb

I believe these cases are Smellie's examples of why Midwives are not as needed anymore because of doctors. He felt that doctors were superior to midwives. http://anatomyofgender.northwestern.edu/massey01.html

I am not sure why Smellie ordered her to undress but the way he writes it is very abrupt and commanding. It is like he needs to make himself look more masculine.

I feel that Smellie is commenting on this to show how he views women. He viewed them as loud and talkative. When he says "if possible", it's as if he is suggesting the woman cannot control herself.

Archaic. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disported

Having the shape of a globe or sphere. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/globular

Perspiration, especially when copious and medically induced. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/diaphoresis

Also spelled caudle, it is a warm drink consisting of wine or ale mixed with sugar, eggs, bread, and various spices, sometimes given to ill persons. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/caudle

a portion of liquid to be drunk, esp a dose of medicine. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/draught

I feel that this statement shows lack of understanding about women's bodies. While babies can move in the womb I doubt that they actually swam. Even though Smellie was an educated doctor for that time, but this still shows his true lack of knowledge on the birthing process.

To reduce in amount, degree, intensity, etc.; lessen; diminish. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/abating?s=t

Softening and soothing, especially to the skin. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/emollient

When Smellie mentions "friends" I assume he means women friends. He mentions their uneasiness and anxiety at the end of this page as well. He does not mention the father being worried or uneasy. I wonder if the emotion of being worried is more feminine?

to fall off in vigor, energy, activity, interest, etc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/flag