126. "On Chloroform and other Anesthetics: their Actions and Administration," by John Snow M.D., with a Memoir of the Author by Benjamin W. Richardson, M.D."
Source: Snow, John and Richardson, B.W..(ed). London: John Churchill, New Burlington Street, 1858.
John Snow died on March 13, 1858. In the ensuring months, the executors of his will (i.e., his two borther William and Robert) approved having his friend Dr. Benjamin Ward Richardson edit and complete his coming book on anesthesiology, published thereafter by London: John Churchill in October 1858. Richardson explained how he became the editor in the preface to the book.
Preface
The book here presented to the reader is the legacy to science of Dr. John Snow. The completion of the work was his last act and deed. In editing the book, therefore, all that remained to be done consisted in the construction of the index, and in this a plan suggested by the author himself has been followed.
In contributing the memoir, I have performed a painful and unexpected duty: the fulfillment of a promise given at a moment when two friends who often enjoyed close companionship met at one of their happiest meetings. The promise was given with the idea of fulfillment far distant, or improbable altogether, and, as connected with a more extended biographical survey, reserved for the work of years long in the future; it is called for now hastily and in deep sorrow.
Writing with the fact of my late friend's death not as yet fully realized; with the sensation still on me at intervals (like one who has lost a part of his own 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 style or matter. I have done my best, and leave it so.
B. W. Richardson.
12, Hinde Street, Manchester Square [London].
The book can be viewed below either as a PDF or at the John Snow Achive and Research Companion, compliments of Associate Professor Emeritus of History Peter Vinten-Johansen of Michigan State University.
Click for Snow 1958 book, PDF
Click for Snow 1858 book, MSU website
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