OCR Text |
Show PREFACE. Ar no time has a critical enquiry into the practice of surgery been more necessary than at present. But a critical enquiry is too apt to lead to speculation, and long and laborio ous disquisition, till in the end the young surgeon finds himself encumbered with a library, instead of a manual of operas tive surgery; and the extent and expense of the work de~ feats in a great degree the author's design. A calm and disinterested view of: the surgery of the present day, clearly [NUIH set forth, and deduced from actual observation, grounded on correct knowledge of anatomy, will, I conceive, lead to l‘ ,1 . ,4 r ,e bur-gs '9l)‘ more good than the most alluring work, in which novelty and ingenious speculation should be the' avowed objects of the author. ' The intention in these volumes is to present to the-stua dent, and to the surgeon, such clear, short, and strong views of the objects of our operation, of the manner of operating; and of the difficulties which may unexpectedly present themselves-as an experienced surgeon would wish to impress on the mind of one in whom he is much interested :--such a view, in short, of operative surgery, as, without putting aside the information gained in general study, may guard against the distraction of difficulties and doubts, when the knife is actually in the hand. . Let it not be supposed that the author either professes or flatters himself that he has efl‘ectually accomplished this design. He means only to declare what is his peculiar plan-- what were the motives of his writing this book, and his hopes |