PREFACE. TO THE FOURTH EDITION. IN the first two editions I named the selection of clinical observations laid before the public "The Renewal of Life," meaning thereby to intimate what is more fully stated early in the volume, that the main point for the physician's consideration in disease is the deficiency of vital action, and that all successful medical treatment is a renewal of that vital action. To my annoyance the words were found strangely "open to misrepresentation" by several of the literary men engaged in reviewing the work. Such a risk seemed to outweigh the advantage of expressing in an epigrammatic form the principles advocated, and led me to take the unusual course in the third edition last year of leaving out a great part of the title. I tried to justify the change of name by large additions to the original matter, dovetailing into the text comments made before my class on recent passing cases, and inserting twenty three new lectures, three given at the College of Physicians, and the rest in the theater of St. Mary's Hospital School. While that edition was in the press, I was struck down by a dangerous illness, and have been out of work nearly eighteen months. On my return, by God's grace, to health and labor, I find it sold off, and a new one called for before I have again occupied the teacher's chair. I have, therefore, no fresh matter to offer, and must content myself with a thorough revision, and the addition of an index unavoidably omitted last year. It will be seen that many of the "Lectures," as set before the reader, combine materials orally delivered at several, and often at distant, times. These are short clinical commentaries on cases, made still shorter by the omission of much elementary instruction on diagnosis, only suited to students. The fragments are here united under subjects, and to avoid chronological confusion the date of its vivâ voce production is placed at the head of each portion. I trust the disjointed aspect thus given will be pardoned, as we pardon roughnesses, inexcusable to the finished works of the studio, in a portfolio of sketches made on the spot, out of consideration for the vividness which drawing from nature only can give. 22B, BROOK STREET, GROSVENOR SQUARE; October, 1865. T. K. C. |
