PREFACE - ONE of the most striking features in modern medical practice is the enormous progress which has been made in what is known as Preventive Medicine and in the practical application of scientific discoveries not only to the cure of disease but also to Hygiene, in other words, the preservation of health. For this reason we have laid special emphasis upon the latter aspect of tbe whole subject, and have accordingly divided our book into three parts I: The Maintenance of Health. 2: The Recovery of Health. 3: First Aid, and a Glossary of some of the conrnoncr Medical terms. Part Oiie opens with a brief and simple account of the human body and its functions, followed by a series of very practical articles on the maintenance of health throughout life, from before birth to old age. Part Two contains a list of Diseases and Injuries arranged in alphabetical order. Special attention is directed to two headings of unusual and very wide interest, namely, Occupatioal Diseases and Sports Injuries. Throughout this list instruction is provided in elementary treatment as far as it may safely be carried out in the absence or pending the arrival of a doctor. In Part Three is a brief, but we hope adequate account of First Aid it is in a spirit of precaution rather than of pessimism that we have included under Gas Poisoaing certain war-time gases that have hitherto not been inflicted on a civilian population. The book ends with a Glossary-Index, which will explain some of the commoner technical names and words, as well as provide a guide to the contents of the book. Throughout the book we have strenuously avoided giving advice based upon extreme or eccentric views. What we have endeavoured to give is a popularly written, accurate account of the best means to enjoy life in the best sense of the term, and to be fit and efficient both for work and play.