shed together.

As to the illustrative cases introduced in support of various statements
made in the text, only those have been chosen from my notes which were
under my own observation for a considerable time, and many of these have
been brought up to date since my return to England. I have, as a rule,
avoided the inclusion of cases seen cursorily, and few simple ones have
been quoted since their character is sufficiently indicated in the text.
These remarks seem necessary since the mode of selection has resulted in
the inclusion of a number of cases of exceptional severity, and any
attempt to draw statistical conclusions from them would be most
misleading.

The first two chapters have been added with a view to affording some
information, first, as to the conditions under which a great part of the
surgical work was done, and, secondly, as to the mechanism and causation
of the injuries, which would not readily be at hand in the case of the
general surgical reader. For much of the information contained in
Chapter II. I must express my indebtedness to the work of MM. Nimier and
Laval, so frequently quoted.

The only other object of this Preface is to express my thanks to the
many who have aided me in the task of amplifying the observations on
which the articles are founded, and I think no writer ever received more
sympathetic and kindly help in such particulars than the author.

My first thanks, those due to the Members of the Royal Army Medical
Corps, I endeavour to express by the dedication of this volume. Any
attempt to make individual acknowledgment to either the Members of the
Service, or to the Civil Surgeons temporarily attached, would be
impossible. I have, however, tried to associate the names of many of
those in charge of cases in the recital of histories and treatment
throughout.

My thanks are not less due to the Military Heads of Departments at the
War Office, who have helped me in the collection of details as to the
subsequent course of many of the cases described, and in the acquisition
of information regarding the weapons and ammunition treated of. I should
particularly express my gratitude to Colonel Robb, of the
Adjutant-General's Department, and Colonel Montgomery, of the Ordnance
Department.

I am greatly indebted to my former colleague Mr. Cheatle for two of the
illustrations of wounds, and for permission to quote some of his other
experience, and to Mr. Henry Catling, to whose skill I owe the m