Page:A synopsis of the diseases of the eye, and their treatment - to which are prefixed, a short anatomical description and a sketch of the physiology of that organ (IA synopsisofdiseas1821trav).pdf/19

PREFACE the application of the principles of inflammation, as illustrated by the genius of Joux HuntEr.

I cannot but fear that the condensed and compendious plan of this Volume may occasion disappointment to persons ad- vanced in the study of eye diseases. But I must remind them that it makes no pre- tension to the character of an elaborate systematic treatise, and is designed more particularly for the information of surgeons and students of surgery. It is the result of personal observation, not a compilation from the works of others. Neither is it in any degree critical. I have not time enough at my command to be an historian, nor ambition to be a controversialist. Facts, whether new or old, derive a value of au- thenticity from personal observation, which is not enhanced by the custom of collating

“materials from other sources. Such a cus- tom is likewise inconsistent with another valuable quality, in practical matters espe- cially—{ mean conciseness.

It was at the suggestion of a friend that I prefixed the sketches of anatomy and

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