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Show t iii runner. PREFACE. .1}\ probable occurrences as I have known the best operators put into short notes previous to operation. To the general rule, indeed, I know of no exception; namely, that all surgeons require 011 the eve of an important operation, to have the judgment brought to bear maturely 011 the case, and the matter systematically arranged, so that by an anticipation of all probable occurrences, he may avoid the possibility of emu barrassment, and the distraction of consultations and whis- perings during the operation. I have unavoidably been led to express my own sense of what is right in operation, and sometimes have considered myself as bound to give my own View of the subject, in pre- ference to that generally taken. But I trust that I shall not be found to have sought occasion thus to speak of myself, or to blame the established and received method. If I shall have succeeded in making this book truly useful, I shall be too happy in the benelit that may arise from it to the profession, to give myself one moment's concern whether I have lost or gained in reputation for originality. s army. <=. . In this book, as well as in the Anatomy, I have opposed my opinion to men of much eminence, and sometimes to my most particular friends. If any of my readers continue to think this arises from an unworthy Spirit of enmity or 01)pO-~ sition, I trust that those who are more familiar with my opinions, as delivered in my lectures, or in privately disc russing a contested point, will in time entirely counteract the tendency of such thoughts. They see no distinction in the statement of my opinions, ‘ohether opposed to a justlyvalued brother, or to those whom they may conceive to be in an opposite interest to me. To my epitome of Surgery, I have added rules in the practice and operations of Midwifery. This has been usual in systems of surgery; and from my early attention to this department, I have been enabled, I trust, to give simplicity to the directions laid down. But 'there is much of principle running through the whole of the practice of midwifery; and into this wide tield I do not enter at present. It might. seem vain were I to say how much, in my opinion, still re, mains to be done in settling the principles of midwifery 0n the foundation of anatomy and pathology. I shall conclude with saying, that if I shall have appear.ed to omit any thing essential, it is because I have had no opportunity of considerii g the subject practically. It is bet» ‘ter to make tlns avowal at once, than from books to gather at second hand; and make a show in titles of what is not honestly contained in the book. In treating of hernia, I have of necessity, and yet not unwillingly, spoken of Mr. Cooper's work, in terms of criticism, while yet I am ashamed to observe, that I have neglected to notice its g ‘eatest merit, in the precision he has given to the operation, and his incontestibly proving the necessity of cutting the stricture in one precise manner. Before the pub- lication of his book, surgeons differed in their practice; some cutting the tendon of the external oblique muscle upwards and outwards, while others out it upwards and inwards. Had I known Mr. Abernethy's opinions 011 the subject of .t'ungus cerebri, I should have been able to give a simpler and more correct arrangement and description of the tumours which arise from the fracture of the cranium. The tying of the iliac artery, in case of inguinal aneu~ rism, was performed lately, by Mr. George Freer, in the Birmingham hospital, with complete success. Mr. Freer means :ro publish this case, with some general observations upon an exit". s11". |