Medical ethics

EDITOR’S PREFACE.

Reading edition

As the late Dr. Percival’s Code of Medical Ethics is commonly quoted as a work of authority, not only in this country, but also in America⁠[1]⁠, and as the original edition⁠[2] has now become somewhat scarce, it was thought that it might be usefully republished.

The present edition is reprinted from that published by Dr. Percival himself, (8vo. Manchester, 1803,) corrected occasionally by his unfinished and unpublished edition⁠[3]⁠, and also by the posthumous reprint contained in vol. ii. of his collected “Works.” (4 vols. 8vo. Bath, 1807.) The references have been verified, and in several instances the quotations have been corrected, but no other alteration has been made in the text of the work; as, even when the statements contained in it were positively erroneous, the Editor preferred correcting them (where necessary,) in a note⁠[4]⁠. Of the Notes and Illustrations added by Dr. Percival several have been omitted, as being no longer wanted, as also has the “Discourse on Hospital Duties” by his son.

By republishing Dr. Percival’s Code the Editor does not mean to imply his agreement with all the opinions it contains, or his entire approval either of the plan or the execution of the work. The want of a detailed and scientific treatise on the subject of Medical Ethics, suited to the present state of the Profession in Great Britain, (as M. Simon’s admirable “Déontologie Médicale” is to France,) is beginning to be universally felt. It has indeed long occupied the Editor’s thoughts, and (as he has already ventured to intimate to the public⁠[5]⁠,) he still hopes, if life and leisure be allowed him, and if no abler writer step forward to anticipate his design, to endeavour at some future time to supply it.

Sept. 11, 1849.

FOOTNOTES:

Nulla enim vitae pars, neque publicis neque privatis, neque forensibus neque domesticis in rebus, neque si tecum agas quid, neque si cum altero contrahas, vacare officio potest; in eoque colendo sita vitae est honestas omnis, et in negligendo turpitudo.—(Cicero, De Off. i. 2.)

Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · In the Note prefixed by Dr. Hays to the “Code of Ethics of the American Medical Association,” he writes as follows:—“On examining a great nu Note 2 · A new edition was published in 1827, but the Editor’s notes are of such a nature as to render the book absolutely mischievous.Note 3 · Of this rare volume the only copy that the Editor has seen or heard of is in the library of the Manchester Royal Infirmary, and was given by Note 4 · All the Editor’s additions are placed within brackets.Note 5 · In the Advertisement to Gisborne “On the Duties of Physicians.”