The first edition of the present Treatise was published at Edinburgh in 1831, some time prior to the author’s removal to London. It was originally comprised in three volumes. A second impression, of which this is a reprint, appeared at London in 1840, in a revised and improved form. The favourable reception which the publication has met with in this country, and the desire I have felt to introduce it into the school with which I am connected, as a text-book, have induced me to prepare it for the American press with particular care. Among the additions, properly so called, is an article on Strabismus, and another on Club-foot; two subjects, the former of which was entirely omitted in the English edition, and the latter discussed in a manner altogether incommensurate with the existing state of our knowledge in regard to it. The notes are designed to serve as further illustrations of the text, or to supply deficiencies in relation to certain topics which have been passed lightly over by the author. They might have been extended to almost any number, and it would have afforded me no ordinary gratification, had it been consistent with the views and interests of my publishers, to present what might be considered as a tolerably fair outline of American surgery. For such an object ample materials are extant, highly valuable in themselves, and eminently calculated, when they shall be properly embodied, to reflect credit upon the talents, enterprise, and dexterity of our surgeons. It need hardly be added, what is self-evident, that the editor of a work is responsible to the public only so far as his own labours are concerned. He adopts only in a general manner, without endorsing all, the views and opinions of his author. S. D. GROSS. Louisville Medical Institute, May, 1842. PREFACE. The rapid advancement made in the pathology and treatment of surgical diseases demands a perpetual revision and correction of the systematic works devoted to this department of the healing art. Accordingly, text books, various in merit and extent, have emanated from the different schools. Several of these have, by successive editions, kept pace with the science; whilst others have fallen into disuse. In this part of Britain, the systems of Latta, B. Bell, and Allan, occupied the field; but it being now vacant, I venture to supply the deficiency, by reducing the heads of my lectures into a compendium, or guide, for those students who resort to this city. It must appear superfluous to preface such a work by anatomical descriptions, anatomy being now studied more generally, and with greater zeal, than heretofore. Pathology also is more attended to, and better understood. To which circumstances are to be ascribed the improvements in surgical science, as well as in the art of operating.