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Practical observations on diseases of the lower bowel
Practical observations on diseases of the lower bowel Author:Andrew Paul Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: PREFACE THE SEVENTH EDITION. Scarcely three years have elapsed. Reader, since a former Edition of several hundred copies of this Work issued from the Press... more ». The still prevailing frequency of these diseases—for increasing they are both in magnitude and in number— must be looked upon as a proof, not so much of indulgence in luxurious habits by that class of society most prone thereto, as in establishing the fact that two modes of treatment, opposite in their effects, still divide the Profession. Added to remarks already made in former Editions, it has been my object in the present one to lay before the afflicted an analysis of a vast number of cases, which, during the last three years, have come under treatment, and have been carefully noted; and, if numbers be any criterion as to the respective merits of operation, or its opponent, the palliative plan of treatment, to leave thequestion at issue entirely to your discernment; from such data you will draw your own conclusions. As the cure of these Maladies, when once established, becomes the exclusive province of the Surgeon, so the prevention of disease ought to be the consideration of mankind at large, as by aiding, so as not to interfere with, Nature's functions, every individual, be he ever so uninformed, can with certainty anticipate and prevent disease. With a view to this object, the present Edition is both for popular and for professional perusal. The additional hints given are not founded on any preconceived theory, but are solely dictated by experience; and however strong the professional tide may still set in favour of operation, I am nevertheless convinced that, ere long, operation will give way to milder means ; and that, eventually, few or no cases will meet the Surgeon's eye, wherein Patients—once, twi...« less