[som]times direct was that the midwif should with the ends of har fingers cary in a peec of filleting that might goe over the child's head and sow draw it downe. But the fillet would fale downe being weak that when they put it up on one side it would fale doune on the other. But after serious consideration of the case, the means is presented. That is: take a peec of smale whale bone of eighteen inches long; make the ends of it very thin that you may fasten a fillet or such like ligature to both the ends of it, which by warming it in warme water you may doe at your pless[ure]. Lett it be made very smouth and strongest towards the middle by which means it will be more ap[t] to open itself to campase the child['s] head. When you have ocation to use it, let [. . .]

and duble both ends together t[hus] it may be capable of being put up into the woman's body. Then cover it with a fine clout diped in melted tallo, which will keepe it from hurting the woman's boddy and the child's hed also and wil be the more easyly be carryed to the work that it is to performe. When you wold use it, put in the instrument thus prepared up to the child's head. Then with the fingers of one hand guide the instrument by the side of the child's head, betwene it and the woman's boddy, and with the other hand holding both ends of the instrument, which should be fastned together, you thrust up the instrument till it goe over the child's head and take hold of it; which it may the better doe, you may first [. . .] one end of it and then the other [. . .] with your