Popis: |
The consideration of Epidemic disease here set out, while illustrated by the study of a Diphtheria Epidemic, represents rather the conclusions arrived at after some twenty years experience of disease in general gained in the practice of Medicine and Surgery, amplified by two years recently devoted to the study of Preventive Medicine and Bacteriology in particular. Little of originality is claimed ; but the exceptional advantage of being able to discuss an epidemic from personal investigation thereof, from the clinical and epidemiological at the same time as from the Bacteriological standpoint is undoubted. Personal experience would stand for little, unless it had been aided by the study of the recent and current literature on the subject of Diphtheria and Epidemics in general. Contributions to the various Medical Journals, `Public Health,' Journal of Hygiene, and different publications and text books have all been taken advantage of ; and amongst others contributing to these may be mentioned the names of Loeffler, Newsholme, Newman, Theobald Smith, Cobbett, Graham Smith, Delépine, Woodhead. I may add that I owe much to Professor Delépine of Manchester, under whom I spent various periods of study from 1908 to 1910 ; for no one can come in contact with him without being infected with his enthusiasm in the cause of Preventive Medicine and trying to emulate in some degree his extraordinary precision and thoroughness and attempting to adopt his breadth of outlook. The personal friendship as well as continuous help and suggestion of Dr. Buckley, Medical Officer of Health for Crewe, greatly assisted my work at Crewe. |