PREFACE. IX 



Following the specific names, there will be found a pretty full list of 

 prefixes, including those used in connection with scientific terms. The 

 list of postfixes contains only the common terminations of scientific 

 terms. These are not only explained, but also illustrated by examples. 

 In the examples the roots are printed in black letters, and the prefixes 

 and postfixes in italics, A list of abbreviations in use by medical 

 practitioners, with their unabbreviated forms and meanings, concludes 

 the work. 



Students or learners are recommended to use the present work before 

 commencing their special studies, or, at least, in the earlier stages of 

 them, as a daily lesson-book. Let a certain portion be accurately com- 

 mitted to memory daily, or frequently, and the very great advantage of 

 such a course will be seen and felt on its accomplishment, for by so 

 doing students will attain a competent knowledge of the spellings of 

 the terms, their pronunciation, their root-words, and their definitions. 

 Equipped with this knowledge, they will be able to follow the lectures 

 and instructions of their teachers and professors both with freshness 

 and intelligence. In short, by a little hard work to begin with, their 

 after-studies will become very much more pleasant and profitable. 



Though great care has been exercised in the preparation of the work, 

 it is scarcely to be expected that it will be free from error. It is 

 hoped, however, that errors will be unimportant, and few in number. 



The Author has here to acknowledge the deep obligation under 

 which he lies to G. W. Balfour, Esq., M.D., E.R.C. P., of Edinburgh, 

 and to Alexander Morison, Esq., M.D., of Canonbury, London, for many 

 excellent suggestions. The whole proof sheets were carefully read by 

 Dr. Balfour, and a similar service was rendered by Dr. Morison on the 

 MS. Of course, the suggestions and corrections made by these gentlemen 

 chiefly regarded terms in those departments of science with which they 

 were most conversant. The Author also gladly acknowledges similar 

 favours from other friends. While thus gratefully acknowledging his 

 obligation to these gentlemen, and other friends, it must be distinctly 

 understood that the Author is alone responsible for any deficiencies 

 which may be found in the work. 



The Author of this compilation now submits his work to the 

 judgment of professional men, and the general public, and he will be 

 glad to learn that their judgment in regard to the objects of the work, 

 as well as the manner of its execution, is a: favourable one. 



EDINBURGH, 15th March 1879, 



