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Readers of the first edition probably despaired of any hope for the success of this book. For although the field of medicine is its scope, it is written for laymen rather than physicians. Further, attempting to include all pathologic processes in one small volume deprives it of sufficient detail to make it useful as a textbook. But, after a quarter of a century, 5 editions, and 16 reprintings, it has achieved enduring recognition. The first portion of the book gives a general discussion of factors influencing health, and the remainder takes up each system and its inherent ills. Any intelligent layman can grasp the essentials of the many diseases enumerated without difficulty.
Physicians seeking satisfactory explanations for their patients will find a standard for comparison here. Although more space should be allotted to the psychoneuroses, I am sure this will be rectified in one of the many future editions.