Diseases of the digestive canal : (sophagus, stomach, intestines)

Front matter

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HEALTH SCIENCES STANDARD

RC801 .C66 Diseases of the dige

Preface To The English Edition

Since the first German edition of this medical work made its appearance, many American and EngHsh physicians who attended my cKnic, but who were not sufficiently conversant with the German language to understand all the details, have repeatedly expressed the wish that an English edition of my work be published.

I have finally decided to act upon this suggestion, and am especially willing to do so at this time for the reason that my esteemed colleague, Dr. Dudley Fulton, of Los Angeles, — who has studied the modern methods of diagnosis and therapeutics of the diseases of digestion in my polycHnic and is thoroughly familiar with the principles upon which my book is based, — consents to prepare the English edition.

I gladly authorize him to do so, and am exceedingly obliged to him, as well as to the publishers, the J. B. Lippincott Company, of Philadelphia, for their manifold courtesies.

Encouraged by many cordial expressions of Englishspeaking friends, the author trusts that the present edition will supply a need of the general practitioner, and that it will find a friendly reception and kind criticism among its

new circle of readers.

Paul Cohnheim.

Berlin, February 16th, 1908.

Preface To The Second German Edition

The demand for a new edition of this work, — after scarcely two years have elapsed, — is evidence, I believe, of its friendly reception by the profession.

The medical press has criticized my book in a favorable way, and has given me helpful hints for improvement in the second edition.

To all kind censors, many thanks!

I am especially grateful to all that have assisted me by suggesting recent developments in the knowledge of digestive disorders; and I desire to thank particularly my fellow specialists. Dr. F. Hoppe, of Hanover, and Dr. F. Ehrlich, of Stettin.

The general plan and arrangement of the book, and the restriction of its contents to a consideration of only practical measures, remain unaltered. I have merely added some of the newer diagnostic and therapeutic methods, and with these changes I present the second edition to the profession.

Paul Cohnheim.

Berlin, September 1st, 1907.

Preface To The First German Edition

In compliance with the urgent desire of my students, I have finally decided to publish the present volume. My hesitation will be understood when one considers the numerous well-known text-books available on stomach and intestinal diseases. But as my little book contains the essence of what I have used for years in presenting and demonstrating patients and specimens to physicians attending my polyclinic, it offers only the practical points of view.

In order that it might not be over-burdened, I have been obliged to exclude physiological, pathological, and anatomical subject-matter, as well as frequent reference to the literature. Since this book is intended for the use of the general practitioner, I believe I am justified in having done so.

With the same object in view, everything has been omitted that could be spared in the clinical portion of the book.

At the outset, I wish to defend myself against any supposition that the present volume is a compilation from other text-books, and I beg leave to emphasize the fact that it contains the record of personal experience during my many years of work as the assistant of Dr. I. Boas, whom I desire to thank publicly for his aid and scientific guidance. The book likewise includes knowledge gained in my private and polyclinic experience; and since my practice has always been a general one, it has made me familiar with those points that are essential to the general practitioner, and, therefore, to be dealt with in such a work.

Although the reading of any treatise can scarcely replace the advantages of clinical instruction and laboratory demonstrations, yet I believe that this manual will be a trustworthy xii PREFACE TO THE FIRST GERMAN EDITION

guide to the physician in the difficulties of diagnosis and treatment of diseases of digestion. With this desire I offer it to the public, and hope for a kind reception on the part of its readers. I owe the execution of the microscopical drawings to the kindness of Miss Paula Guenther.

Paul Cohnheim.

Berlin May Lst, 1905.

Table Of Contents

GENERAL SECTION

PAGE

Anamnesis and Subjective Symptomatology 1