PREFACE. 



IT is not the object of this work to teach plain anatomical facts ; its aim is to 

 show the relation of structure to function, whether it is normal function or function 

 disturbed or impaired by injury or disease. It is explanatory and utilitarian in 

 character, and not encyclopedic. The bare facts of anatomy can be obtained from 

 the systematic treatises, and they are here only briefly given in order to refresh the 

 memory of the reader, who is supposed to be familiar to a certain extent with 

 systematic anatomy. A person who has studied the subject only from a systematic 

 standpoint cannot utilize and apply the knowledge so acquired unless he considers 

 its relation to the various affections encountered in practice. He can study anatomy, 

 but he will not see its application until it is pointed out to him. He may have 

 studied the palmar fascia, but, unless he is shown how its construction influences the 

 course of pus originating beneath it, his anatomical knowledge is of little value. 

 The inability to make any practical use of the facts or to see their application is the 

 reason why anatomy is so frequently regarded as a dry, uninteresting study and too 

 often designedly neglected. 



In considering the subject, after a few general remarks on the part involved, the 

 skeleton and muscles are briefly described, and thereby one is enabled to understand 

 the surface anatomy, which immediately follows. Then comes a consideration of the 

 various affections of the part, with such allusion to the nerves and vessels as is desir- 

 able to elucidate the subject. As the book is not intended to be a systematic 

 treatise on anatomy, such anatomical facts as cannot be shown to be useful in practice 

 are not mentioned. To give them here would make the volume too large, obscure 

 its main object, and defeat its purpose. 



As regards the anatomical nomenclature used, there is no system so generally 

 accepted as to justify its exclusive adoption. In the desire, however, to aid in further- 

 ing the adoption of better anatomical terms, as much of the BNA terminology has 

 been used, or included in parentheses, as a consideration of the subject from the 

 standpoint of a general practitioner would allow. 



Most of the illustrations are from original drawings of preparations made by the 

 author and his assistants. Those derived from other sources are duly credited ; if 

 there has been any failure in this respect, it is unintentional. 



The clinical material, except where otherwise stated, is from the author's own 

 experience. 



To the artist in charge, Mr. Erwin F. Faber, and to Mr. Herman Faber, who 

 made a large number of the original sketches, my best thanks are due for their great 

 skill, untiring energy, and most intelligent aid ; their work speaks for itself. 



