I trust the book will be found useful in the study of fractures. I earnestly request the reader not to neglect either the text or the explanations of the plates, and to read with the corresponding parts of the skeleton in his hand. Both in the general and in the special portion of the book I have endeavored to present as complete a view of each case as possible, and to equip the physician for the manifold appearances that he will meet with in practice. DR. HELFERICH. EXTRACT FROM THE PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION THIS "Atlas and Epitome" is intended to facilitate the student's introduction to the important department of fractures and dislocations, and to serve as a ready referencebook for the use of physicians in general practice. I have endeavored to make the book one of practical utility, and at the same time to elucidate some of the more important questions, especially those connected with the anatomy of fractures. The first suggestion for the book came through the publisher, and I was glad to agree to his proposition. I welcomed the opportunity to use the specimens and drawings which I had collected in the course of years, and I was glad also of the chance to contribute something to the general diffusion of useful knowledge in a department of medicine in which much harm can be done, and which has of recent years acquired great importance for the entire body of physicians. It is distinctly emphasized that this book is in no sense intended as a substitute for clinical studies or special courses, and can only serve to complete and illustrate the demonstrations and explanations of the clinical teacher. Part of the specimens were artificially produced and prepared. It has been my custom for some years, in con 8 EXTRACT FROM THE PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION nection with my course of operative surgery, to produce the more important injuries on the cadaver. Many of the plates and figures represent specimens which I had occasion to study when I acted as assistant to Herr Geheimrat Thiersch in the Leipziger Klinik, and later in Munich and at this place; others belong to the pathologic anatomic collections in Munich and Greifswald, and were kindly placed at my disposal by Professor Bollinger during his incumbency, and more recently by my colleague, Professor Grawitz. The present epitome arose out of my desire to perfect the explanations accompanying the plates, which did not seem to me quite sufficient. The various divisions of the Atlas are immediately followed by corresponding portions of the epitome. Injuries of common occurrence and practical importance are described in detail, while rare ones are described with a few words. DR. HELFERICH. |