AUTHOR'S PREFATORY ADDRESS

TO THE NINTH EDITION.,

MORE than ten years have elapsed since the "Dictionary of Domestic Medicine and Household Surgery" was first published, and the fact that during that period it has passed through eight large editions, may be assumed as evidence that the work, not only at first took a fair position in the estimation of the public, but maintained it. In ten years, however, many changes occur; new systems of treatment spring into notice, new remedies are introduced, the national Pharmacopoeia is remodelled, and even diseases, such as Diptheria, almost previously unknown, spring into undesirable notoriety. These reasons are cogent enough to render a revision of a ten-year-old work necessary, even were the author disinclined to take advantage of the many valuable and friendly suggestions which he has received in the way of improvement. The principal feature of this new issue will be the addition of an Appendix, containing full information, in accordance with the general plan of the Dictionary, up to the present date; the new matter being fully connected with the old by means of ample foot-notes, and by means, too, of the copious Index which it is intended shall be added to the work, in compliance with the urgent advice of many whose constant use of the book has made them most cognizant of its requirements.

In conclusion, the Author cannot help expressing his gratification that the "Dictionary of Domestic Medicine and Household Surgery" has greatly fulfilled the end for which it was originally written, that of furnishing its peculiar information, in such a form as "to be safely usable by those who were put in possession of it;" for although he has heard of its use in the remote country homes, and more especially in the emigrant ship, in the long-absent trader, and in the distant colonies, he has never heard otherwise than that the use has been a good and beneficial one.

S. T.

GRANGEWOOD LODGE, BURTON-ON-TRENT,

October 19, 1864.

AUTHOR'S PREFATORY ADDRESS.

THAT works professing to afford popular information on medical subjects, may thoroughly answer the purpose for which they are designed, one especial point requires ever to be kept in view-the information given must be safely usable by those who are put in possession of it. It is an objection frequently adduced against such works, that they place a little dangerous knowledge in the hands of the public, in a form so apparently simple, as to make it a source rather of evil than of benefit: and, undoubtedly, the allegation has in some respects been correct. But is it necessary, in preparing a work on domestic health, to incur this hazard! I think not, For without entering upon that difficult ground which correct professional knowledge, and educated judgment, can alone permit to be safely trodden, there is a wide and extensive field for exertion, and for usefulness, open to the unprofessional, in the kindly offices of a true Domestic Medicine; the timely help and solace of a simple Household Surgery, or better still, in the watchful care, more generally known as "Sanitary Precaution," which tends rather to preserve health than to cure disease. "The touch of a gentle hand" will not be less gentle, because guided by knowledge, nor will the safe domestic remedies be less anxiously or carefully administered. Inseparably connected with the intelligent use of these remedies, there must be correct general ideas respecting the anatomical arrangements and physiological requirements of the human frame. This also has been objected to. I hesitate not to say, that it is such knowledge as ought to be in the possession of every responsible man. Making apparent the importance, and rational foundation of the means of preserving or of invigorating health, or of restoring it when impaired, it renders submission to the requirements of those means, a more sure and cheerful service, when rendered to the conviction of the understanding, rather than to the dictum of an adviser. Amid the humbler classes especially, the diffusion of such knowledge is highly requisite, as a counter-agent to the impudent quackery which preys upon the credulity and lamentable ignorance of the simplest principles of health, which pervade the mass of the people.

But health will fail, either in old or young, and accidents will happen, in spite of the most careful precaution; it then becomes a question, how far non-professional interference may go. In many of the emergencies and accidents of daily life, even in a settled country, but more especially in the thinly peopled colonies, ready information respecting what is best to be done, possessed by a neighbour or a bystander, is often of the most essential service; indeed, every medical man must have witnessed how much mischief may result, either actively or passively, and in a very short time, from ignorance of even the most obvious and common-sense modes of treatment. The information upon these points, given in a popular work, can scarcely be too full or too accurate. In the requirements of Household Surgery, or of sudden emergency, such as poisoning, burning, &c., the question is, "What must be done?" Generally speaking, little or no skill is requisite to determine the nature of the case, or of the injury, which is often too apparent, the anxious question "What must we do ?" is that which calls for answer; and if, sometimes, it happens that the exact nature of the accident be not sufficiently evident, that is no reason why knowledge on the subject generally, aided by common sense, may not do much to relieve. Life may be saved, suffering may always be alleviated Even to the resident in the midst of civilization, the "knowledge is power" to do good; to the settler and the emigrant, it is invaluable.

We come to a point more liable to cavil-the actual treatment of disease, properly so called, by the unprofessional, and how far it is well to afford information, which may tempt the rash to use that which education only can safely employ. It may be trite, but it is true, that in order to treat a disease safely, and with benefit, we

must learn its nature. Now, when it is remembered, how the nicest judgment that observation and experience can form, the most patient attention, aided by practised ear and eye, by microscope and test tube are frequently necessary, to enable the conscientious physician to judge of his case before he can apply the remedy, it is evident how great must be the responsibility of those who, in rashness or ignorance, venture upon the treatment, of serious disease, either in their own persons or in those of others; incapable of judging of its nature, still less capable are they of selecting the appropriate treatment. There is, however, a vast difference between the management of real disease and of ordinary ailment - between endeavouring to strike at the root, or only to relieve the symptoms. Any unprofessional man, or woman either, in this kingdom, who, with all facility that there is for procuring skilled advice, ventures to take the medical management of a case of real illness, acts most unwarrantably; but there are numbers of lesser ailments, many of the more painful incidents and symptoms, simply and easily removable by means which all may employ, and with which it is most important that all should be acquainted; which the parent may use to the child, or the pastor recommend to his parishioners, without fear.

One step further. If danger may result from rash treatment, none can arise from a general acquaintance with the most prominent symptoms which herald the approach of dangerous sickness; these, I think, should be made known, whilst all remarks upon the management, whether limited as for use in this country, or more extended for the sake of the dweller in remote or unsettled districts, I trust so to guard, as to make them safe and useful guides.

I know well what is said by a few, about injuring the medical profession, by making the public their own doctors. Nothing will be so likely to make "long cases as for the public to attempt any such folly; but people of moderate meanswho, as far as medical attendance is concerned, are worse off than the pauper-will not call in and fee their medical adviser for every slight matter, and in the absence of a little knowledge, will have recourse to the prescribing druggist, or to the patent quackery which flourishes upon ignorance, and upon the mystery with which some would invest their calling. And not patent quackery alone, but professional quackery also, is less likely to find footing under the roof of the intelligent man, who, to common sense and judgment, adds a little knowledge of the whys and wherefores of the treatment of himself and family. Against that knowledge which might aid a sufferer from accident, or in the emergency of sudden illness, no humane man could offer or receive an objection.

To resume. The information which it is proposed to offer in this Dictionary may be classed as Anatomical and Physiological, Sanitary or Hygienic, the Treatment of Accident and Emergency, and the Management of Illness. In some respects, perhaps, the adoption of this classification might be advantageous, but as a means of ready reference, the alphabetical arrangement of subjects will, it is thought, be found more convenient.

As it would involve much repetition, to give the forms, doses, and mode of adminis. tration of the various remedies each time they are individually mentioned, the reader is referred for the requisite information, to the individual articles themselves, and to the article, "Materia Medica," which will appear in its proper place, and under which all that is necessary for the purposes of the Dictionary will be fully given. When Doses are mentioned in the general articles-unless otherwise specified-they are the average for an adult-S. T.

MEDICAL DICTIONARY.