A treatise on operative surgery : comprising a description of the various processes of the art, including all the new operations : exhibiting the state of surgical science in its present advanced condition / by Joseph Pancoast.

  • Pancoast, Joseph, 1805-1882.
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on operative surgery : comprising a description of the various processes of the art, including all the new operations : exhibiting the state of surgical science in its present advanced condition / by Joseph Pancoast. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    VALUABLE WORKS ON MEDICINE, SURGERY, CHEMISTRY, &c. & , UU.IUI..II, UIIL.IIIIUMII, »Ci ©AI^IY & y^^T, IPIHIIILAPIILIFIKII1A, HAVE RECENTLY PUBLISHED, PRipE^FOUR DOLLARS, ELLIOTSON AND STEW.ARDSON'S PRACTICE PRINCIPLES ANDtfUACTICE OF MEDICINE, BY JOHN ELLIOTSON, M. D., F. R. S. President of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society ; late Professor of the Principles and Practice of Medicine, and of Clinical Medicine, and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in University- College, London; late Senior Physician to the University-College Hospital; Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, and President of the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh. Edited by Nathaniel Rogers, M. D. Member and late President of the Hunterian Society of Edinburgh, and Corresponding Member of the Medico-Chirurgical Society of Dublin, And ALEXANDER COOPER LEE, Esq. of University College, London. Greatly Enlarged, Improved, and Adapted to the United States, BY THOMAS STEWARDSON, M. D. Physician to the Pennsylvania Hospital, etc. COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME ROYAL OCTAVO—FULL BOUND—1050 PAGES. PRICE FOUR DOLLARS, PREFACE OF THE SECOND LONDON EDITION. When this work first appeared, it had to compete with several long established favourites, and to encounter some deeply rooted prejudices on the part of men who strongly dissented from Dr.Elliotson's views on certain subjects. In spite of these obstacles, however, its reception has been more flattering than we dared to antici- pate. The first impression was rapidly exhausted ; it became the favourite class-book in the majority of our medical schools; and even those who were formerly strongly prejudiced against it, have since acknowledged the practical information they have derived from its perusal. All this is highly satisfactory; and were any additional proof of its sterling worth required, it would be furnished by the fact that the Germans have published a translation. In entering on the task of preparing for publication a second edition, we have been stimulated by the success of the first to fresh exertions, in order to render it (if possible) still more worthy of the approbation it has received. With a view to the accomplishment of this object, we have ventured on making certain additions and alterations; which, without materially increasing the size of the book, will (as we believe) materially enhance its value. Much care and discrimination were neces- sary in making these additions,—both as to the material to be selected, and the mode of its insertion; otherwise the book would have been injured, rather than im- proved. We have therefore been careful only to remedy obvious deficiencies, and to make such other additions as more recent researches have rendered necessary. The sources whence this supplementary matter has been taken are various; but we have of course been guided to a great extent, by public opinion;—making our selections from those works which seemed best entitled to our confidence, for their general accuracy and soundness of doctrine. For the purpose of rendering these additions as useful as possible,it has been deemed advisable to insert them within brackets, in the text;—taking care, however, to preserve the continuity of the whole; and to acknowledge, in a foot-note, the source whence each quotation was derived. Some other illustrative extracts, often very interesting in a literary point of view, and all bearing on some medical observations in the text, have been inserted as foot notes. The alterations that have been made, though few, are such as have been dictated by a desire to consult the convenience of the reader. The subjects have been Touped together, in conformity with Dr. Elliotson's own views; and divided into parts, books, chapters and sections. Page-headings and side-titles have been intro- duced: which, together with a copious index, will (it is hoped) enable the reader to refer to any particular passage with perfect ease. We may also add, that the work has been printed with a smaller, though clear and distinct type;—for the purpose of enabling us to add about two hundred and fifty pages of new matter, without materially enhancing the size or price of the book. _ These are the alterations we have deemed it necessary to make. In the performance of our task, we have been actuated (at every step) by a sincere and ardent wish to render the volume worthy of the reputation which Dr. Elliotson has so justly acquired, both as a teacher and physician. In working out this design, we have received every assistance from the enterprising publisher, who has spared no expense either in the literary or the printing department;—being anxious to raise this distinguished member of his series of medical text-books to a degree of excellence commensurate with the favour it has received. Whatever approbation or censure maybe bestowed on our labours as editors, we feel quite certain that the valuable materials contained in this book, will always meet with the respectful consideration due to genius and industry, when directed to the alleviation of human misery. OPINIONS OF THE PHESS. Almost every subject exhibits great research and acumen, original and comprehensive views, and an extensive acquaintance with Physiology, Pathology, and all the known resources of the healing art. Some affections which are scarcely noticed in other works (such as Glanders, Hay-Asthma, &c.) are also considered; and there is much interesting detail connected with these topics. In addition to sterling practical matter, in which the work everywhere abounds, we have all the charm of varied and lively illustration;—drawn, not merely from writings strictly Medical, but from the pages of History, Poetry, and general literature; so that the casual reader would be surprised to find many parts of the book as entertaining as a novel: for instance, Idiocy, Insanity, and other topics. The Doctor has not thought it necessary to be crabbed and technical, dry and repulsive. He has evidently striven to render his subject inviting to his auditors, that he might win their affections and attention, and thus inculcate the more successfully the important truths he had to convey. We are also happy to bear testimony to the spirit of candour and fairness that the work exhibits. , .,»,..„ , ■ ., j i After a diligent perusal, we have formed the highest opinion of this edition of Dr. Elliotson's Principles and Practice of Medicine. It is the most modern work- on the subject1; and is every way calculated to represent to foreigners the present state of practical medicine among the best practitioners of our country. We think it unnecessary to recommend it; because it will recommend itself, and command success by its own intrinsic merits. The Editor Dr. Rogers, has acquitted himself in a very admirable manner; and we cordially assent to all that he claims in the Preface. He also deserves the negative commendation of not encumbering the text with multifarious notes. Most readers prefer to judge and compare for themselves. We have only to add, that it forms a <*oodly volume, containing upwards of 1100 octavo pages, printed in a bold and clear type, and published at a very moderate price—Medtco-Chirurgical Review. It is very gratifying to meet with a work replete with sound and valuable matter;—with golden rules of precept and practice, derived from the writer s long expe- rience and observation; and in which all the resources of a well-cultivated mind are brought to bear upon and illustrate the subject to which its energies are addressed. Such a work is the one before us; in the production of which Dr. Elliotson has been induced to acquiesce, under the editorship of one who has proved himself well worthy of the office.—Dublin Medical Press. .■•■,, ^ ™,. . , r , c * a- • j It will be generally admitted, that to an extensive acquaintance with physiology and pathology, Dr. Elliotson unites the faculty of accurate diagnosis, and acute discrimination of the best methods of treating disease. Few, we think, will be disposed to question his zeal and activity as a physician, and as a teacher of the prin- ciples and practice of medicine- or the judicious views, philosophical deductions, and sound methods of treatment here developed. Almost every page teems with valuable information. The details connected with insanity, and some other topics, are so illustrated and enlivened by curious facts from the writings ot poets, histo- rians and philosophers as to render them highly entertaining, apart from the important practical matter with which they are interwoven. Much praise is due to the Editor for the exemplary manner in which he has acquitted himself. He has not overloaded the text with superfluous notes; but has appended just so much as was necessary for the purpose of illustration, and to fill up some hiatus. He has also considerably improved the language. We strenuously recommend the work to all who feel interested in the advancement of Practical Medicine.—London Medical Gazette.