Household surgery, or, Hints on emergencies, with an additional chapter on poisons

Front matter

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Preface

TO THE THIRD EDITION.

It is beyond doubt that “ my public,” so called by the biographer of dear Doctor Daniel Dove, of Doncaster, still bolds in estimation ‘ Household Surgery,’ seeing that within little more than twelve months a second large edition of the said libellus, or little book, being exhausted, the steam-press is again required to meet the public want of the doctor’s temporary substitute, but uot intended supplanter, for reasons stated in the first edition.

I cannot refrain expressing much gratification, that this little household manual is by no means in the alone possession and use of private families, but that it is far from an uncommon associate with many more erudite, and some more presuming woi-ks on Medicine and Surgery, in the studios of many of my professional brethren, the best proof that my motives in writing have been appreciated by those whose esteem I should grieve to forfeit, and that the book itself is better worth than I anticipated under the circumstances which first put it before the public. Its rapid

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sale has also shown that it needs no assistance beyond “ a fair stage and no favour,” and that it is not to be driven out of the market by any crosspatch or caviller who wishes to make room for his own cheaper production.

It having been suggested that it would be advantageous in a little book, now on most folks’ table, to add some hints of what should be done when poison has been accidentally or purposely taken, and the prompt determination and counteraction of which is of the first importance, I prevailed on my friend Dr. Gladstone to furnish me with a short notice of the more common poisons, and the mode in which they may be managed forthwith, in the absence or during the delayed attendance of a doctor of either of the three denominations ; and he has executed his task with much ability and plainness, so that the most simple person may easily follow out his directions.

Blackiieatii Park, April, 1851.

PREFACE

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

A little more than two years have elapsed and a large edition of this small volume has been consumed by “ my public,” affording proof that the said public has been, at least, amused, if not also instructed, as was my original “village auditory,” and I hope I may not be thought very vain in believing that I have by this household trifle been of some use in my generation. Sundry efforts have been made to palm upon the public counterfeits of this volume, the only likenesses to which consisted, in abstracting cautiously some of its most taking points, and in assuming its name as closely as possible without exciting the displeasure of the law.

As the object of this publication has not been profit, but rather the diffusion of useful information, the present edition has been considerably reduced in price, although, as will be seen in looking over the index, I have made many additions which will probably bethought improvements. But, as formerly, I warn my reader against doctoring himself, except on an emergency.

John F. South. a 3 a

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PREFACE

TO THE FIRST EDITION.

Some time ago, for the purpose of aiding a literary institution which had been established in “ Our Village,” I delivered some lectures, to one of which I gave the name of Household Surgery, its object being to afford useful hints as to the means which people have in their own power to employ when accidents happen which require immediate attention and no medical man is at hand, and often cannot be obtained for hours. Such cases are neither few nor unimportant, and many serious consequences — nay, even death — may be prevented if a judicious person, having been put on the track, make use of the simple remedies which almost every house affords. Though the subject might seem an odd one to select for a village auditory, yet there was no difficulty in rendering it amusing as well as instructive, and I believe I may justly say that 1 did not fail of attaining my object. On accidentally mentioning the circumstance to one of my friends, who, by means of the printingpress, furnishes literary food to a hungry and never satisfied public, he said, “ Why do not you

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Preface To The First Edition

make a little book of it ? Do ; and I will print it.” So we struck hands, and hence appears my small volume.

Now, no one who reads herein is to expect that he is to find a whole body of surgery, or that he will be fitted thereby to set up for an amateur surgeon capable of practising upon himself or his neighbours, for a vast deal must be passed by; not that there are any “secrets of the prison-house” to be kept, because I am one of those who think it would be well if people generally understood something about how they were treated and what they were treated for, as they would then be less open to the tricks of cunning knaves, whether enjoying the honour of a diploma or not, and more capable of estimating the value of honourable and upright practitioners, and therefore more ready to acknowledge obligations which can never be repaid, however many may be the fees given. But everything cannot be told, usefully at least, to general readers, for this simple reason — that were it set forth, they could not comprehend it. Still, however, there is much to be mentioned which may be of good service at a pinch, without interfering with the doctor ; because I propose only showing how to manage, when and where he is not to be obtained, and the case is urgent. But if the doctor is to be bad, let no one despise his privilege, but avail himself of it. Recollect what

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. xiii

the best book says : “ Honour the Physician * with the honour due to him,” Eccl. xxxviii. 1 ; and again, “ Give place to the physician , the Lord created him,” ib. 12. Whoever neglects this advice, and doctors himself when he can be doctored, is in much the same case as the man who conducted his own cause, and had a fool for his client.

As my work ran on, it struck me that I might also render it more extensively useful by giving some simple rules for the treatment of broken limbs and other accidents, which are of not unfrequent occurrence on hoard ship and in the

* Under the term Physician must also be included Surgeon, for in those days they formed but one faculty, as we read, “Joseph commanded the physicians, his servants, to embalm his father,” which was certainly not physicians’ work. The apothecary indeed is specially mentioned, as in “An ointment compounded after the art of the apothecary,'’ Exod. xxx. 25 ; and also, “A perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary ,” ib. 35 ; but he does not seem then to have had anything to do with the healing art, although now, as the General Practitioner, he performs the functions of all three branches into which it is now divided, and that of the midwife to boot: and has the power, by Act of Parliament, of compelling an aspirant to his particular branch of the profession to undergo an examination and obtain a licence to practise, which power physicians and surgeons do not enjoy ; and therefore her Majesty’s lieges may be killed and cut up by any pretender, provided they do not send, but only prescribe, physic.

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outskirts of colonies, where doctors are not to be had : and also at the same time that I might aid the Missionary in his high and holy calling, by enabling him to minister to the bodily ills of those among whom he is placed. The more common kinds of broken limbs require no great skill to discover, and if put into anything like their proper place and kept still, nature takes care of the rest, and the patient does very well. The rules I have laid down will be easily comprehended, and will answer in most cases.

It is very possible that some observations may be made on a Hospital Surgeon writing a book of this kind, intended for general use. I am very careless on this point, as I have had no unworthy object in view. The wray in which, and the purport for which, the book has been w'ritten, are my apology, if any be needed, which I do not admit ; and if I desired precedent, I need scarcely remind my readers how many of the ablest persons in science and art have held it no degradation to their high standing to render their particular branch of knowledge accessible, not only to adults but even to children, by cheerfully w'ritten works in simple language, often accompanied with homely illustration.

John F. South.

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