Clinical observations on diseases of the genito-urinary organs

of the Cyclopædia of Practical Surgery. At his request, I agreed to contribute to it a certain number of articles, amongst others, those on Gonorrhoea and Syphilis. The greater portion of the data for the former had been put together, when the Cyclopædia was abandoned, and my published contributions to it were limited to some of insignificant extent.

I was now too much engaged to prosecute the plan I had entertained, of giving a complete account of those diseases of the genito-urinary organs which require surgical treatment. The editorship of the Medico-Chirurgical Review, my Lectures on Anatomy and Physiology in Kinnerton Street, the duties of Assistant-Surgeon to St. George's Hospital, and my private practice, left me little leisure, and less taste, for further occupations. I determined on a future, and that not a remote day, to resume the work I had begun. But, l'homme propose et Dieu dispose. I was seized with a formidable illness, the result of over-exertions, and I left England, as I thought, to die. A life of habitual temperance, nature, and time, decided otherwise, and I returned, after an absence of two years, again to practise my profession. The opportunity was now afforded me to recommence what

I had been compelled to interrupt, and the results are

the present pages.

I have said thus much, not merely for the purpose of detailing circumstances uninteresting to every one except myself, but with the view of shewing that, though published now, this trifling essay was almost wholly written, and partly published, many years ago. Whatever its defects, I cannot help believing that it carries with it intrinsic evidence of individuality, and that it will not be found a compilation unavowed, or a translation in disguise. I have stated nothing of which I have not personal knowledge, and am alike responsible for the opinions and the facts. But, if there was nothing new in the days of Solomon, à fortiori, it cannot be looked for now, and, for my part, I am more anxious to determine what I believe to be true. In science, however, as in poetry, authors are an irritable race, and several may claim my views as their own. I decline the contest beforehand, contenting myself with the apology of Sir Fretful Plagiary :"Homer and I hit upon the same idea, but, confound the fellow he got the start of me."

My original intention was to comprise in one volume Gonorrhoea, Stricture, and Diseases of the Prostate Gland and Bladder. But the subject lengthened as

I went, and, under the influence of that composite feeling of impatience and of indolence, which many, I dare say, have experienced in a similar predicament, I determined to split it into three. A "great book is both a great evil" and a great bore, if not to him who writes, most certainly to him who reads it. Whether three little books may not be quite as bad, or worse, it must be left to others to decide. One more remark and I have done. Many write for practice some write from it. Opportunity and

circumstance place me in the latter category.

8, SUFFOLK PLACE,

PALL MALL EAST.

June 1851.

HENRY JAMES JOHNSON.