An introduction to the history of medicine with medical chronology suggestions for study and bibliographic data

Published in 1913 this book saw its second edition shortly before our entry into the European War; the issue of the present edition at the customary three years' interval specified in the publishers' contract has been delayed by the pressure of the writer's military and official duties. By courteous agreement of the publishers no subsequent revision will be made for some years to come and for necessary and sufficient reasons. As compared with a treatise on practice of medicine or any of its branches a history of medicine is in the nature of things a stationary product dealing essentially with the past with things that have happened. If the author of such a work has succeeded in stating the facts in their true relations if he has reason to believe that his views of things are in the main correct and expressed with sufficient clarity he will not wish to make many changes since super-added and inserted matter will in a series of editions destroy the freshness and individuality of any book giving it a somewhat medieval character through excess of overlaid material. This method of composition with which it need hardly be said the writer has no sympathy whatever was once likened by Henry James to a heavy suit of chain mail which however carefully wrought will sink the reader in erudition but not float him upon a deeper tide the shifting tide of modern thought and progress. During the troublous period of the European War the author has been at v/hiles keenly conscious of the need for thoroughgoing revision in at least two of the sections namely those dealing with medieval and modern medicine. But recent investigation of medieval medicine the main ambition of the foremost living medical historians of Europe is still knowledge in the making while present-day medicine during the war period and after has been in a state of flux. Revision along the lines contemplated will therefore be made to best advantage after a period of careful consideration and study when the civilized world has attained a period of less unstable equilibrium ; and such revision if well considered will require the necessary element of time. . .