ΤΟ SIR JAMES CLARK, BART., M.D., F.R.S. PHYSICIAN IN ORDINARY TO THE QUEEN, AND TO THE PRINCE ALBERT, &c. &c. &c. DEAR SIR, I FEEL much honoured by your kind permission to bring out this little work under your distinguished auspices. I cannot do so without availing myself of this opportunity of expressing the high opinion which I entertain of your pre-eminent scholastic, literary, and medical acquirements. In all subjects connected with the preservation of the public health, and the prevention of disease, I know you take a deep interest. A work, therefore, which professes, however humbly, to develop principles in connection with these important topics, could not be more appropriately dedicated than to yourself. That you may long live to enjoy the exalted and well-merited honours conferred upon you (with the unanimous approval of your professional brethren) by our Most Gracious Sovereign, is the Sincere wish, dear Sir, of your humble 45, Guildford Street, Russell Square. 1842. And obedient Servant, FORBES WINSLOW. PREFACE. ALL questions connected with the preservation of health have been already so fully and ably discussed, that it requires, on the part of a new candidate for public favour, the exercise of no little ingenuity in order to impart to such investigations the character either of novelty or of interest. It has not been the object of the Author to lay down for the guidance of the general Reader, any specific instructions for the treatment of particular affections. The principles which he has endeavoured to develop in connexion with the subject of health, have a reference to a most important, but much neglected, department of Medicine, viz. the prevention of diseases. In proportion as the public are made acquainted with the causes of Disease, and the general principles of Pathology, will the amount of human suffering be diminished. On this subject, the Author cannot resist the opportunity of referring to some observations to be found in a pamphlet recently published by Sir James Clark, Bart. That able Physician justly remarks, that, "Were the public better informed respecting the causes and progress of diseases, they would know that one |