Medical vocabulary, or explanation of all names, synonymes, terms and phrases used in medicine, surgery, and the relative branches of medical science / by a medical practitioner [i.e. Robert Gray Mayne].

  • Mayne, R. G. (Robert Gray), 1808-1868.
Date:
1836
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Medical vocabulary, or explanation of all names, synonymes, terms and phrases used in medicine, surgery, and the relative branches of medical science / by a medical practitioner [i.e. Robert Gray Mayne]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

    8/198
    It may be objected, that there already exist several va- luable works, which, beside rendering a comprehensive signification of professional terms, contain complete in- structions upon every point of Medical Science. In answer, it is submitted, that the very excellence of these, in the esti- mation of the Physician, and Surgeon, in so far disqualifies • them for being interpreters to the young student. They are necessarily so diffuse in their elucidations, and are so deluged with obsolete, classical and fanciful synonymes, with minute description, narration and treatment of cases, and matter of opinion upon all practical points, as to appear to him formidably tiresome, complex, and bewildering: their bulk precludes their being at all times referred to, and, to some at least, their cost renders their possession inconve- nient. To non-professional individuals, for whose use this work is also intended, similar remarks are applicable ; for they may be viewed in the same light as the young student, with respect to the almost universal unintelligibility of Medical language ; but with this additional disadvantage, that they have few opportunities of hearing, or asking for definitions, while he, by oft-repetition in his hearing, may at last ac- quire some notion of the proper application of many of its terms. To Medical Students, then, and to those unconnected with the profession, the Medical Vocabulary is offered, in the hope that it may be found useful. Edinburgh, Sept. 1836.