A desire has been expressed that this posthumous edition of the late Professor Coats's standard work should contain some brief indication of what he did, and what he was, in a life-time full of activity, but too short according to our human estimate for the tasks allotted to it. No more pathetic instance of frustrated hopes could well be found than in the simple statement that Joseph Coats, working all his life for nearly a quarter of a century towards a professorship of pathology, should have attained that official status barely five years before his death, and should have inaugurated a new pathological institute, mainly due to his own initiative and enthusiastic endeavours, on October 14th, 1896, to be used for only three seasons under his direction, amid periods of ill-health, which ended in a fatal result on January 24th, 1899. The life that was thus closed, however, was one of remarkably sustained effort, and of absolute consistency of aim, from first to last. For more than twenty years before he became a professor in the University, Dr. Coats was the mainstay of scientific pathological teaching in Glasgow. All his attainments, and all his resources, were devoted consistently, and with marked success, to this one object; and the present volume, as well as the completed pathological institute which is now carried on by his successor, form the more or less permanent memorials of a life-time of arduous labour, carried on among the students of Glasgow University, by one who was as much respected by them as he was by those who later on became his colleagues in an official sense. As the oldest of these, a friend of Dr. Coats from his studentship onwards, and at all times working in cooperation with him, I have been asked to write these few lines as a preface to his book. A more detailed notice of the man will be found in the British Medical Journal for 4th February, 1899. Here it is sufficient to recall in a few sentences what has a direct bearing on the present undertaking.

Dr. Coats, as a teacher of pathology in its modern aspects, was methodical, painstaking, and thorough in all his ways. At an early period he had studied both in France and Germany under the best teachers, and had adopted everything as regards their methods of procedure which he regarded as conducive to the highest success. He became pathologist, first to the Royal Infirmary, and afterwards to the Western Infirmary; where, although his position was not that of a professor till 1894, his supremacy was unquestioned, and he had the countenance and support of the University long before he became a professor de facto. Thus it happens that this volume, the first edition of which appeared in 1883, was even at that time directed carefully and practically to the end which it was destined to fulfil, by becoming at once a manual of instruction for the student of medicine, and a work of reference for the practitioner who may be desirous of keeping his pathological knowledge up to date. Until the author was disabled by illness, it may fairly be said that not a single session passed without the entire teaching of the book being gone over and mentally reviewed in the light of new and original research. For Dr. Coats's mind, if one may admit that it fell short of the highest type of creative originality, was eminently receptive, full of sustained enthusiasm, and always directed to the verification by his pupils, as well as by his own exertions, of everything new that appeared to be worthy of renewed research. The abundance of materials at his disposal was such that, with systematic and practical classes of undergraduates, and latterly post-graduate classes conducted in the autumn, his time was very fully taken up, and his attention constantly kept alive to all the details of modern pathology. The writer of these lines, being himself a pathologist of older date, and ever interested in the subject, can bear witness from experience on many occasions how full and how fresh was the impulse that always came from conferring with Dr. Coats on any subject arising within the department of scientific pathology. Nor was the clinical interest ever lost sight of by Dr. Coats. Early in his career he had seen a great deal of practice in the wards; and in the Clinical and Pathological Society of Glasgow, of which he was one of the original members, the habit of regarding pathological facts from the clinical side was kept up; the greatest pains being taken to make the reports, and also the preparations in the museum, representative of both aspects of knowledge. So that 1 apprehend that this volume, far more than most treatises on Pathology, will be found to be full of suggestions for the busy man in the routine of daily practice.

Above all, I am confident that it will be found to represent adequately the existing state of pathological science in such a way as to be eminently trustworthy in detail. It will present many things in new lights, but always with most careful reference to investigations founded on fact. The lucid order and readableness, which were the characteristics of former editions, were never gained by over-indulgence in merely speculative considerations; and the illustrations, as well as the researches on which they are founded, are largely the result of personal and original research. The present edition may be said to have had the counsel and support of the late author up to the very close of his life; and it has been carried out by his late chief assistant, although with considerable necessary alterations, in the very spirit of the original work. It is the expectation, and must be the desire, of every friend of Professor Coats, and every member of the Glasgow medical school, that this work in its present form may be a worthy memorial of one who was respected and beloved alike by teachers and students.

W. T. GAIRDNER.

The University, Glasgow, January, 1900.

Editorial Note

The work of revisal initiated by the author has been carried out strictly on the lines laid down by him.

Many of the illustrations appearing in former editions have been replaced by new ones, and several have been deleted.

The editor desires to express his indebtedness to Dr. John Love, of Glasgow, for his advice and assistance in the revisal of the chapters dealing with Diseases of the Nervous System.

He also heartily acknowledges the help given by his late colleague, Dr. A. R. Ferguson, in the revisal of the bacteriological section of the work, in the reading of proofs, and in the construction of the Index.

L. R. S.

University College, Dundee, January, 1900.