Excerpt from Urgent Surgery, Vol. 1: Introductory; Head; Neck; Chest; Spine; Abdomen Urgent surgery does not mean merely the surgery Of injuries at the present day the number of clinical conditions demanding immediate surgical action is very great. Step by step, as Operative results have improved, the indications of urgency have extended and multiplied we are better equipped than formerly, and our responsibilities have thus enormously increased. The surgical spirit belongs to all times in all ages, conscientious and energetic men have rebelled against the theory of laisser fain: and laisser mourn. Have not our predecessors dimly foreseen, devised, and tried many of the Operations which are in general use to-day? Our own horizon has cleared we see further, and our surgical initiative is freed from its early fetters. That, however, is not enough; ere modern surgery can fulfil its promises and play its proper part, its formulae and precepts must be generalized; and they must be introduced into the everyday work, the spirit, and customs of the profession. It is time to sweep away that ill-omened duality, that inexplicable antithesis of doctrine and practice doctrine, rejuvenated, scientific, positive; practice, governed only too Often by the errors and empiricisms of other days. This it is indeed which occasions difficulties and Obstacles, so much more numerous and disconcerting because the indications of urgency may present themselves in any circle, at any time, and in any hands. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.