A treatise on the theory and practice of obstetrics

Front matter

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* I give the/e Books 'or the founding of a College in this Colony"

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Preface

Obstetrics lias become an extensive branch of our profession, and almost all the recent works upon the subject are ponderous volumes. The excellent treatises of Hodge, Meigs, and Bedford, of America ; Cazeaux and Joulin, of France ; and Ramsbotham, of England, are all so many monuments of the learning and skill of their authors. I mention these in particular, because at the present time they are the most popular books on obstetric medicine and surgery ; but there are many others of great value to be found in the library of all intelligent obstetric practitioners. In the course of his teaching, for many years the author has been convinced that a treatise much more concise than any of these could be made to contain all the practical information necessary to guide the student and " busy practitioner " in the acquirement and exercise of this important branch of our art, and it is with the hope of accomplishing this desirable object that the present work has been undertaken. Extensive discussions of disputed points of doctrine, or minute research, or copious and frequent quotations of authors, are incompatible with conciseness and comprehensiveness, and consequently have been avoided ; while the author has endeavored to take a straightforward course in the accomplishment of his object. It is hoped that while tlii> work is concise, it will be found to be comprehensive and complete, and to contain in perspicuous detail all that is regarded as practically valuable at the present time. In lieu of the fre-

IV PREFACE.

quent mention of authorities for statements made in the text, the author Bub joins a list of the works and periodicals he has had occasion to consult: — Montgomery's Obstetrical Essays, Burns' Principles of Midwifery, Simpson's Obstetric Memoirs and Contributions, Chnrchill's System of Midwifery, Churchill's Operative Midwifery, Robert Lee's Theory and Practice of Midwifery, the same author on Operative Midwifery, Blundel's Principles and Practice of Midwifery, Gooch's Practical Compendium of Midwifery, Collins' Practical Treatise on Midwifery, Rigby's System of Midwifery, Alexander Hamilton's Theory and Practice of Midwifery, Beatty's Contributions to Medicine and Midwifery, Denman's Practice of Midwifery, Dublin Practice of Midwifery, Smellie's Theory and Practice of Midwifery, Tyler Smith's Principles and Practice of Obstetrics, Davis's Principles of Obstetric Medicine. Ramsbotham's Obstetrics, Tilton's Menstruation, Whitehead on Abortion, Savage's Anatomy of Pelvic Viscera, Playfair's Operative Obstetrics, Priestley on Pelvic Fascia, Greenhalgh's Placenta Praevia, Transactions of London Obstetrical Society, and London Lancet.

Among the French authors consulted are Maygrier, Boudelocque, Mad. Boivin, Moreau, Mad. La Chapelle, Velpeau, Jbulin, Cazeaux (Translation), Chailly (Translation), Raciborsk] on Men- Btruation, Gazette Hebdomadaire, Archives Generates de Me*decine.

zoni, and Martin.

To Meigs, Miller, Dewees, Bedford, Hodge, and Elliot, American authors of* proud distinction, 1 am indebted for much valuable information. The Transactions of the American Medical Association, New York State Medical Society,

PREFACE. V

Indiana Medical Society, Illinois State Medical Society, The American Medical Journal, New York Medical Journal, Medical Record, Medical and Surgical Reporter, Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, Richmond and Louisville Medical Journal, Cincinnati Lancet and Observer, Buffalo Medical Journal, Obstetric Journal, Journal of the Gynecological Society, Half -Yearly Compendium of the Medical Sciences, Rankin's Abstract, Braithwaite's Retrospect, and many other periodicals have been consulted. The author acknowledges much aid derived from many excellent papers received from the authors, among which deserving especial mention are Professor Logan's Report to the State Medical Society of Michigan, and Dr. Rogers' Report of Transactions of the American Medical Association on Extra-uterine Gestation.