J " -n lively sought, and can-fully systematized, the experiences which are obtained in the field, mi-lit become the most reliable and useful which can be collected, ftfl arc t h ci rcuiiist ances which modify results m<>re easily or more uniform in. I 'ntbrtunately. however, the vicissitudes, hardships, and uncertainties of a campaign, pn Vlll 1'KKFACE. difficulties of no small moment to the collection and arrangement of observations. The numerous duties which devolve on the military surgeon, prevent that close attention being paid to purely professional <jucs tions which would be requisite for the establishment of accurate conclusions, while the constant shifting of patients from one hospital station to another, occasions the loss or interruption of records bearing on the treatment of disease and injury.
The shortness and abrupt termination of the war were unquestionably a great loss to the advancement of surgery, however great was the gain otherwise to humanity. We had, at its close, just overcome the preliminary difficulties to be anticipated by a State long at peacv. and whose military organisation was defective; and when we might reasonably have expected, had there been another campaign, to have garnered something valuable from its very miseries and sufferings. But just when in a position to investigate many questions with precision and advantage, the opportunity passed away. The value to be attached to the statistics of any war, must be left to the reader. The writer believes that those having reference to that in the Crimea, are as correct as any can be which are collected under such circumstances.
All the figures given in the body of the book, except when otherwise stated, refer merely to the period after April 1, 1855, as it was found n:r.r.\< ix impossible to compile tln-m with any accuracy for the previous period. In this way, a very large number of the WOimded, and very many operations, arc not included in these fiiruivs: and hence, too, why a different hearing must be given to many of the questions than these figures will warrant. Thus, for iple, the writer has himself seen more cases of some operations performed in the East, than appear in the returns. It was thought better, therefore, to restrict the statistical enumeration to the period whose records were correct although it is always to be remembered, that what was true of the latter part of the war, is by no means substantiated by the experience of the first part.
The writer lias to acknowledge with gratitude his obligations to Dr. Smith, Director-General, not only for supplying him with the figures contained in the 1x)dy >ut also for affording him free access to the its on the ( 'liina and Indian To Taylor, C.B. of Chatham, and Professor Tholozan of the irace, now first physician to the Shah of Persia, the writer is under oblivions, as well as to Professors Moimu-r and Le-ouest of the Yal-de-( i race, who kindly.oniinunicateil tl. of their at Constantinople. Thwould also r.x press his thank many friend.- who have supplied him with notes of x PREFACE. cases, some of which are given in the following pages as illustrations of the questions discussed.
The value of surgery is nowhere so appreciated as on the field of battle, and the author rejoices to acknowledge how nobly our art is represented by the present race of military surgeons. In guarding the health, treating the wounds and sicknesses of his fellow-sold irrs. the surgeon most truly participates in their glories and triumphs. " En les arrachant aux dangers de leurs blessures," says the famous Percy, " leurs triomphes deviennent notre ouvrage; la vie qu-ils tiennent de nous, nous associe en quelque fac,on & leur gloire; et chaque service que reqoit d'eux la patrie, est un present dont elle est encore redevable & nos soins." ERRATA. Page 140, line 8,/or "distal" read " proximal.' ii iiutc./or "Ilcnman" read " 25G, line 12,/or "Le Drau" read " ' 285, " 19,/w " fractures of the extremities of hone " raid fractures m' th<> long boucs of the e.Mrcinilics.'' COXTKXTS.