PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
Pharmacology comprises some broad conceptions and generalizations, and some detailed conclusions, of such great and practical importance that every student and practitioner of medicine should be absolutely familiar with them. It comprises also a large mass of minute details, which would constitute too great a tax on human memory, but which cannot safely be neglected. It is the ambition of this book to present both types of information without confusion. The matter in the larger print aims to give a connected and concise statement of the essentials of pharmacology. The smaller print need not be considered by the reader who wishes to obtain merely a general knowledge of pharmacology. It contains more detailed data for consultation. Side headings have been introduced liberally to facilitate this use. The bibliographic references are intended to put the student on the track of further details.
The volume can, therefore, serve both for study and reference. There may be some question as to the general advisability of combining text-books and reference books; but in Pharmacology this appears to be necessary, since every student may need more detailed information at any time.
Since the first edition of this work was printed, the development of pharmacology has been repaid and extensive, notwithstanding the war, and in some directions because of it. There has not yet been time thoroughly to digest all this material. However, it has been possible to make important additions and changes in all parts of the text; and to introduce fairly thorough discussions of new topics; such as the "war-gases:" the new antiseptics; cuprein derivatives: etc. These additions have enriched the bibliography by over twelve hundred titles.
January, 1922.
