VIII PREFACE. 



Bates, M. D., of Barre ; W. S. Sanders, M. D., of Sturbridge ; 

 S. E. Strong, M. D., of North Andover; H. L. Devereux, Esq., 

 George E. White, Esq., and Mr. James M. Parker, of Boston. 

 To George P. Burnham, Esq., the popular editor of the Ameri- 

 can Union, my particular acknowledgments are due, for many 

 favors and valuable aid; and to J. J. Kerr, M. D., of Kensing- 

 ton, I am likewise greatly indebted for his acceptable correspond- 

 ence and useful suggestions. To Rev. Robert B. Hall, of Plym- 

 outh, for valuable suggestions and assistance in arranging and 

 perfecting the work, my acknowledgments are especially due. 

 To Winslow Warren, M. D., Francis B. Brewer, M. D., Wil- 

 liam H. Spear, Esq., Dr. Frank A. Fuller, and Mr. George H. 

 Jackson, all of Plymouth, I am also indebted for repeated favors, 

 which have facilitated the progress of the work. 



It is hoped that, prepared with such advantages, this book 

 will serve to diffuse, more widely, reliable intelligence in respect 

 to the very important subject of which it treats, and will prove a 

 welcome acquisition to the libraries of practical men. It is not 

 pretended that it is free from defects ; but its imperfections, such 

 as they are, must be attributed to other causes than negligence, 

 or the absence of an honest design to furnish a manual of pres- 

 ent interest and permanent utility. 



