LONDON

SAMUEL HIGHLEY, 32, ELEET STREET.

XONDON : W. OSTBLL, PRINTBR,

HART STRBET, BLOOKSBÜRY.

P Pv E F A C E .

The Autlior has put forth the following Essay uith a sincere desire to benefit others, and entirely without the prospect or probability of benefitting self. No class of patients are more deserving of commisération and of the earnest attempts of the practitioner to alleviate their ailments, and promote, if possible, the cure of their complaints, than the consumptive — falling vietims, as many of them do, in the very pride of youth and beautJ^ Some of the profession hâve set their faces so decidedly against the very supposition of curing phthisis in any stage or form, that those who differ from them in any manner — however candidly and honestly they may explain the facts vrhich hâve caused them to differ on a point so essential — are almost sure to draw down on themselves the ivrath and indignation, if not the contempt, of many whose good opinion they especially covet and desire. In the following pages the reader will be presented with a certain number of facts, from which he may draw his own conclusions, although the author has not neglected to supply those at which he has himself arrived. On these facts his présent belief of the value of médicinal naphtha are founded.

In apology for~writing on a subject which requires both a natural delicacy and accuracy in hearing and appreciating sounds, as well as a taught and thoroughly practised car to interpret those sounds, (inasmuch as the whole is based on correct diagnosis, which is chiefly formed by the sense of hearing), the author may State, that during the'last ten years he has possessed very ample opportunities of gaining proficiency as an auscultator, and tha,t

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hc lias endeavourcd to avail liimself of tliose opportunities to the ])est of liis ability. During tliis tirae he bas studied undcr some oi the best auscultators iu the world, and has accustomed himself to examine into the physical signs of cbest disease as constantly and as commonly as into the peculiaritics and characters of the puise. He believes his sense of hearing to be naturally excellent, as he has found himself capable of distinguishing and appreciating sounds which were not detected by some others engaged in the same pursuits with himself, but which the progress of the case proved to be perfectly correct, or the post mortem exaraination has amply confirmed.

His présent opportunities of observation at the Blenheimstreet Institution are considérable. During the last eleven months nearly 6,000 patients hâve been treated by the Physicians alone, exclusive of cases in which their opinions hâve been needed, under the care of the Surgeons or the Surgeon-accoucheur.

The Author may also quote from another part of his Essay what every conscientious practitioner will be willing to allow is but just, in the practice of an experimental science like medicine, and which in a great measure led him to give naphtha a trial at ail, viz., “ The judicious practitioner will not scruple to reçoive a valuable hint merely because it was proposed by Mr. A. or Dr. B. ; he will examine carefully into ever practical suggestion — no matter the source from whence it springs — and will endeavour from his own expérience to separate the good from the bad, the valuable from the refuse, the practical from the theoretical.”

13, Bloomsbury Square,

October, 1844.

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