PREFACE.

In the preparation of this book I have endeavored to keep one aim predominantly in view—to present the practical part of the sub­ ject in a sufficiently complete manner as to make the work one that will give those engaged in general practice a full comprehension of the symptomatology, diagnosis, and treatment of the various affec­ tions with which they are most likely to come in contact. The symp­ toms are, therefore, detailed at some length, and often in the plain, elementary way that I have found in college and postgraduate teach­ ing most successful in giving a clear grasp of the essential characters. As a preliminary to this the primary and consecutive lesions which are essentially the groundwork of dermatology are allotted more than the usual space. Diagnosis, apparently the most difficult and confusing part of cutaneous medicine, has been given considerable attention. The elaborated remarks under General Diagnosis may, it is hoped, be of substantial aid in surmounting some of the diffi­ culties. With the purpose of emphasizing the clinical and diagnostic aspects I have made use of a large number of illustrations from my own collection of original photographs, supplemented by those gener­ ously placed at my disposal by my dermatologic colleagues, to whom I wish to express my sincere thanks, and who will be found specifi­ cally mentioned and credited in connection with the individual cuts. To strengthen this feature also the publishers have kindly permitted the insertion of a number of selected colored plates from their well-known Mracek Hand-Atlases of Diseases of the Skin and Syphilis.¹

The other practical part of dermatology—treatment—has in the most important diseases been described more or less in detail, in some places, to those who are experienced, possibly to the point of tedious simplicity, but observation has taught me that student and practitioner should have pointed out not only what in a general way is to be prescribed, but, when possible, some definite directions as to selection and method. In addition to the remedies and methods used in my own practice, I have referred largely also to those employed and advised by others, the various standard treatises and contributions by other writers being frequently cited, not only, in fact, in this, but likewise in other divisions of this work.

Although the practical parts, including etiology, have been allotted the greater space, it has not been my intention to neglect pathol­ ogy and pathologic histology, but to give these in a sufficiently ample manner as to be a complete, but relatively brief, reflex of our present knowledge. In the presentation of the pathologic histology, the studies and observations of those who are especially

¹ These have been replaced by cases from my own collection.

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8

PREFACE.

skilled and known in this department are largely drawn upon and the sources acknowledged ; illustrations have, when space permitted, been inserted to aid in an understanding of the text. But while the writing of this work was approached from the standpoint of its prac­ tical use, it is hoped that the somewhat exacting labor of gathering together and sifting the writings, investigations, and opinions of others will be of value not only to the practitioner who may desire to follow up the study of a particular disease, but also prove of time-saving help to my dermatologic colleagues. Most references are to litera­ ture published within the past twenty-five years, but many of those given, as mentioned therewith, cover by review and references con­ tributions which had preceded.

I am indebted to several gentlemen for aid in the preparation of this book : To Dr. William M. Welch, of the Municipal Hospital (for exanthemata), for the papers on small­pox, scarlet fever, and measles ; to Dr. Émanuel J. Stout, Instructor in Dermatology in the Jefferson Medical College, for the framework of some articles ; to Dr. Samuel H. Brown, Assistant in the Skin Dispensary of the Howard Hospital, for preparing some schedules of important literature; to Dr. Franklin Machette, Assistant in the Skin Dispensary of the Jef­ ferson Medical College Hospital, for the well-prepared index ; and to Mr. Charles P. Fisher, Librarian of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, for materially facilitating the consultation and verifica­ tion of literature. I also desire to acknowledge the courtesy of D. Appleton and Company and William Wood and Company, of New York, and J. B. Lippincott Company and F. A. Davis Company, of Philadelphia, for their permission to use matter previously contributed to their publications ; and although this privilege has been but scantily drawn upon, the cordial consent given to do so is not the less appreciated.

The formulae and other medicinal measures are expressed both according to the usual apothecaries’ scale and the metric system, the quantities in the latter always being given in grams. The spelling and the fusing of compound words in the text are in accord with the desire of the publishers that their books be uniform in this respect.

H. W. S.

Philadelphia, 1634 Spruce Street.

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