PREFACE.

IN presenting for the SIXTH time a new Edition of the ANATOMIST'S VADE MECUM to my brethren of the profession of medicine, it gives me great and heartfelt satisfaction to have the opportunity of announcing, that, in the preparation of the present Edition, I have received the valuable aid of a distinguished Professor of Medicine of northern Europe, Andreas Retzius, M. D., F. R. Acad. S., Master of Surgery, Dean, and Professor of Anatomy in the Royal Caroline Institute of Stockholm-a man justly renowned in the science of our art.

The assistance of Professor Retzius is the more gratifying to me, as being the spontaneous offering of a great and distinguished man of science to a humble but zealous fellow-laborer; and his approbation has served as a stimulus to me to make the present Edition not unworthy of the praise which he has kindly bestowed upon it. "I use your Anatomist's Vade Mecum," he observes, "for my students in the dissecting-room. It has become my favorite manual for young students; for I find that, by it, they get a clearer and quicker insight into the study of Anatomy, than by any other book. These are my reasons for interesting myself in its success, and for contributing my remarks for its emendation."

In pursuance of these observations, Dr. Retzius had conveyed to me an interleaved copy of the work containing many notes for its improvement; and, furthermore, took the trouble of sending to me, from across the seas, a preparation of the ligaments of the foot, showing the ligament to which he has given the name of liga

mentum fundiforme (page 280). More deeply cherished is the promise conveyed in the following passage: "If the Almighty God will continue to bless me with health and life for some years longer, I will assist you in revising every new Edition, and introducing all those new discoveries in anatomy which may be of use to the Student of Medicine."

While thus acknowledging the assistance given to me by he great Scandinavian Professor, it may not be out of place to put on record an act of liberality, in connexion with this book, from another foreign source, namely, from the well-known medical publishers of Philadelphia, Messrs. Blanchard and Lea. The following extract from a letter addressed to me by them, and bearing date April 4, 1854, will explain the incident to which I refer.

"You may perhaps be acquainted with the name of our house as having published in this country your works on Anatomy and Diseases of the Skin. When English works which we issue are successful, it always affords us pleasure to make the author an acknowledgment more substantial, if not more gratifying, than the transatlantic reputation thus obtained; and we accordingly take pleasure in handing you the annexed draft, which we trust you will do us the favor to accept."

With the above encouraging passages in the annals of the Anatomist's Vade Mecum, I now conclude, trusting that my reader, and those for whom the book was specially written, may find no reason to utter a judgment less favorable than the foreign reputation and wide circulation of the volume would seem to justify.

17 HENRIETTA STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE, 1854.