Although there is no note of it on the manuscript itself we know it to have been allocated the reference D 901 by the Manchester Medical Society viz. their 1890 library catalogue. Underneath the title the author has noted 'this title is too pompous for the present compendium and was designed for it when I thought of making extracts from Mauriceau, Lamotte etc., & may not be amiss when added by you'.
The manuscript seems to offer practical instruction in obstetrical matters and there are clear subject heading throughout covering the following matters: on the pelvis, gravid uterus, signs of conception, diseases attending pregnancy, diseases of the first quarter, diseases of the last quarter, convulsions, lues venerea [syphilis], of natural labours, false labour, the accoucheur, management in time of labour, lacerations of the perineum, management of the child after delivery, retardations to a natural labour, laborious or difficult labours, use of the forceps [surgical instruments], application of the forceps, fontanel presenting, face cases, preternatural labours, method of turning, footling cases, breech case [breech presentation], twins, flooding cases, narrow pelvis, method of opening the head [craniotomy], when the body is separated from the head and the latter remaining in utero, management of lying-in women and their disorders during the month, applications to the breasts, attention after delivery, after pains, lochial fever, milk fever [mastitis], prolapsus uteri [uterine prolapse], management of children, choice of a nurse, prudential maxims in midwifery.