PREFACE TO THE FIFTH EDITION. I HAVE deeply felt the responsibility of undertaking the charge of a new edition of this the most important work of the late Dr. Golding Bird. His extensive knowledge, his skill in handling his materials, and his lucid narrative, have greatly increased my difficulty. These I cannot emulate, but to fulfil my trust both to the profession and the memory of my friend, I have earnestly labored. My first thought and object has been to bring the work fully up to the present period, and at the same time, as far as possible, to preserve throughout his delicate touch. In doing this, the new matter has in some places been woven into the text, and in others thrown into notes. literary point of view it might have been more correct to have reduced the whole to a simple narrative, but from feelings of respect, I have hesitated to remove some passages and plates, although they may have lost a portion of their value from the recent progress of scientific inquiry. In a In preparing this edition, I have made free use of the works of those who have labored in the different parts of the same field, and it is a pleasure in this place to record my obligations to Dr. Andrew Clark, for his valuable counsel; Dr. Day, for his "Contributions to Urology"* as well as for his excellent and most useful translation of Lehmann's "Physiological Chemistry;" also to Dr. Hassall, the able reviewer of the previous edition, to Dr. Letheby, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Pavy, and others. I have mentioned the names of these physicians in the body of the work, in connection with their respective subjects, but here also I feel called upon to acknowledge my debt to them, and my high estimation of the usefulness of their labors. * "British and Foreign Medico-Chirurgical Review." Dr. Garrod's lectures before the College of Physicians have been printed since my remarks on diabetes were prepared; but, on consideration, I see no reason to alter or qualify what I have written on the subject. The use of the microscope is now so generally taught in the schools, that any attempt to urge its claims to attention might be out of place. But I say emphatically to our students: "Do not neglect your opportunities; in the hurry and labor of general practice, you will have little leisure to give to the study of the instrument, and without it you can but imperfectly fulfil your duty, either to yourselves or your patients." Instances are numerous, where without its aid much knowledge would be missed, or greater errors committed. I may, however, mention one instance of late occurrence. A gentleman came to me one morning in a state of great excitement; he stated that on being called at night to micturate, it was some time before the urine began to flow, and that only after straining and the apparent removal of some obstruction. On looking into the vessel in the morning, he found a small reddish mass imbedded in the urates at the bottom; he secured and brought it to me. I put it under the microscope, and found at once that it consisted of fibre of voluntary muscle, and concluded that it had most probably been dislodged from between the teeth, and had been spit into the vessel. The gentleman left me disburdened of the idea of hæmaturia and calculus. Dr. Lionel Beale's work on the microscope is, I believe, the best on the subject, and M. Pillischer, of New Bond Street, has manufactured an instrument which he calls his student's microscope; and in justice to him it ought to be known that he first brought within the student's means a good instrument at a reasonable cost. In conclusion, a word is due to the memory of the author. His time and his strength, both of body and mind, were given to the profession, and he reaped, as a natural consequence, its highest rewards; but those who knew him best, felt that he had brighter hopes beyond, which supported him through a life of sickness, and comforted him at its close. 48 RUSSELL SQUARE, August, 1857. ΤΟ DR. ADDISON, SENIOR PHYSICIAN TO GUY'S HOSPITAL, ETC. MY DEAR SIR: my October 24th, 1844. It is now thirteen years ago since I first found myself within the walls of Guy's Hospital, a stranger and unknown. In a short time admiration and respect were excited by your profound knowledge and experience as a physician, and for your zeal as a teacher. But I soon experienced another feeling, that of gratitude, for numerous acts of the most disinterested friendship; and for which I must ever remain your debtor. I cannot look back upon my past career, so far as it has extended, without gratefully acknowledging how much I owe to your example, and to the exertion of your friendly influence, from the time I took my seat upon the pupils' benches, until I had the high honor of being appointed your colleague. That your health may be preserved, so that our profession may, through a long series of years, possess you as an ornament, and Guy's Hospital long enjoy your assistance as its distinguished physician and teacher, is the sincere wish of Your obliged and grateful friend, GOLDING BIRD. |