ΤΟ J. M. DA COSTA, M.D., LL.D., EMERITUS PROFESSOR OF THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE AND OF CLINICAL MEDICINE IN JEFFERSON MEDICAL COLLEGE, THE MASTER DIAGNOSTICIAN, THE BRILLIANT TEACHER, THE DISTINGUISHED CLINICIAN, THIS LITTLE BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED BY TWO GRATEFUL PUPILS. PREFACE. THIS book is intended to meet a popular demand. While the endeavor has been to make it reliable and helpful, the student is advised not to depend upon it to the exclusion of standard and more elaborate works. It is elementary in character, devoid of detail, and represents but an outline of the subject with which it has to deal. This outline must be filled from observation and further reading. Being written especially for students, everything has been sacrificed to accuracy and brevity; references to authorities consulted have been omitted; and it has been deemed wisest to conform with prevailing views in matters concerning which there may be differences of professional opinion. In the arrangement of material, systematic classification has often been departed from, to secure the benefit of association of ideas. Diagnosis must be studied from patients, not from books; even the best of books can only direct the student what to look for at the bedside, and warn him against probable errors. If this book facilitates the true methods of study, it will have accomplished its purpose. |