Page:Cellular pathology as based upon physiological and pathological histology.djvu/18

xii sufficient abundance, in the original works. For I had in the preface to the first edition expressly pointed out that those who had kept up their knowledge, by reading the current medical literature, would here find but little that was new to them.

In this new edition I have contented myself with improving the language, with expressing in more precise terms what was liable to be misunderstood, and with expunging repetitions. There no doubt, still even now, remains a great deal requiring correction; but it seemed to me that the whole ought as far as possible to preserve the fresher impress of oral discourse, and of the unshackled range of thought which there prevails, if it were for the future still to serve as an active ferment to the labourers in the so very various fields of medical science and practice. For the book will have fulfilled its object, if it assists in the propagation, not of cellular pathology, but in general only of independent thought and investigation.

RUD. VIRCHOW.
 * , June 7th, 1859.