The art of midwifery reduced to principles: in which, are explained the most safe and established methods of practice, in each kind of delivery; with a summary history of the art: translated from the French original: to which is added an appendix by the translator; containing illustrative remarks on conception and pregnancy: and on those particulars, taught by Dr. Astruc, which vary from the methods adopted by the best accoucheurs here / [Jean Astruc].

  • Astruc, Jean, 1684-1766
Date:
1767
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The art of midwifery reduced to principles: in which, are explained the most safe and established methods of practice, in each kind of delivery; with a summary history of the art: translated from the French original: to which is added an appendix by the translator; containing illustrative remarks on conception and pregnancy: and on those particulars, taught by Dr. Astruc, which vary from the methods adopted by the best accoucheurs here / [Jean Astruc]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    15/468 (page 7)
    The jirjl is, to purfuc an accurate me¬ thod ; a regular order in putting every matter in its proper place: and to begin with the things that are moft eafy, go on to thofe which are more difficult, and. leave nothing behind which has not been fuffici- ently explained. By this means, the reader pafles, without being detained, from one dif¬ ficult chapter, to another ftill more difficult; and attains, without trouble, to the under- {landing the moft obfcure parts of the fub- ject which he ftudies. Or dints hccc virtns erit. The fecond is, to follow the counfel of Homer, who fays, ^uicquid prczcipies ejio brevis. In this view, I have retrenched too particular details, digreffions, and ufe- lefs reflections : and I have confined myfelf to what is really effential in the methods of pradtice I have explained. Hence, the mind, not being led aftray, is wholly engaged on the objedt prefented j and comprehends it more effectually. The third is, to be perfpicuous. This qua¬ lity is abfolutely neccftary to a didadtic work, defigned for women v/ho are not capable of following an obfcure and complex man¬ ner of reafoning. On this account, I have taken care to write in a fimple ftyle; to ufe fhort periods without invention; and to ap¬ ply all the words in their natural fignifica- lion, without any metaphors.