ON
CHLOROFORM
AND
OTHER ANÆSTHETICS:
THEIR
ACTION AND ADMINISTRATION.

The book here presented to the reader is the legacyto science of Dr. John Snow. The completion ofthe work was his last act and deed. In editing thebook, therefore, all that remained to be done consistedin the construction of the index, and in thisa plan suggested by the author himself has beenfollowed.

In contributing the memoir, I have performed apainful and unexpected duty: the fulfilment of apromise given at a moment when two friends whooften enjoyed close companionship met at one of theirhappiest meetings. The promise was given with theidea of fulfilment far distant, or improbable altogether,and, as connected with a more extended biographicalsurvey, reserved for the work of years longin the future; it is called for now hastily and indeep sorrow.

Writing with the fact of my late friend’s deathnot as yet fully realized; with the sensation still onme at intervals (like one who has lost a part of hisown body, and yet at times conceives the lost present),that he cannot possibly be so far away; I may,perchance be pardoned for any deficiencies in styleor matter. I have done my best, and leave it so.