good deal can often be effected by art.  In every instance, therefore, in which we have not positive evidence of the child being dead, in the existence of putrefaction, or of such malformation as is incompatible with life, it is our duty to give a fair trial to the means for restoring suspended animation; and as long as the slightest attempt at motion of the respiratory organs is evinced, or the least pulsation of the heart continues, we have good grounds for persevering and hoping for ultimate success.

The measures to be employed to restore a still-born child will be a little modified by the circumstances present.

If there is no pulsation—­no beating in the cord, when the child comes into the world, it may at once be separated from the mother.  This is to be effected by first tying the navel-string with common sewing thread (three or four times doubled), about two inches from the body of the child, and again two inches from the former ligature, and then dividing the cord with a pair of scissors between the two.  And now the means for its restoration are to be made use of, which are detailed below, viz. inflation of the lungs, and perhaps the warm bath.  If, with the above circumstances, the child’s face be livid and swollen, some drops of blood should previously be allowed to escape before the ligature is applied to that part of the navel-string which is now only attached to the child.

If there is pulsation in the cord, but respiration is not fully established, it must not be divided; and as long as pulsation continues, and the child does not breathe perfectly and regularly, no ligature should be applied.  The first thing to be done here, is to pass the finger, covered with the fold of a handkerchief or soft napkin, to the back of the child’s mouth, to remove any mucus which might obstruct the passage of air into the lungs, and at the same time to tickle those parts, and thereby excite respiratory movements.  The chest should then be rubbed by the hand, and a gentle shock given to the body by slapping the back.  If these means fail, the chest and soles of the feet must next be rubbed with spirits, the nostrils and back of the throat irritated with a feather previously dipped in spirits of wine, and ammonia or hartshorn may be held to the nose.

Inflation of the lungs.—­These means not having been successful, and the pulsation in the cord having ceased, the infant must be separated, and inflation of the lungs resorted to.  This is to be effected gently and cautiously as follows:—­