Gastroenterology 3 [antikvár]

PREFACE Approximately 30 years ago the first edition of this text appeared. At that time gastroenterology had already been generally recognized as an integral part of internal medicine. The subspecialty, gastroenterology had arrived. The second edition appeared 20 years later. The interval between the publication of the second and this present edition has been only 10 years. This can be taken to indicate that a great deal that is new has been added to our knowledge of digestive tract affections and nutrition during this past decade. It was for this reason that the decision was made to rewrite. The term "rewrite" is used advisedly. Merely editing was not sufficient, as there is so much that is new. The previous editions have been well received. Our comprehensive review of digestive tract disorders has evidently appealed not only to practitioners, clinicians, surgeons and radiologists but to students, residents and basic scientists as well. We like to think that the present work is encyclopedic without being ponderous. Both the earlier editions were authored by previous and contemporary members of the University of Pennsylvania medical family —faculty and previous trainees. With this edition, that policy has been abandoned, although a number of the former contributors will be found among the present list of authors. Contributors to this edition have been selected on the basis of reputable expertise, wherever they may be, in the U.S.A. or abroad. An effort has been made to obtain the most knowledgeable person available for each topic. Authors include not only clinicians but basic scientists, surgeons, radiologists, psychiatrists, endoscopists and research workers. Surgical techniques are not detailed, but indications for operation and the physiologic basis for selection of the type of operation when indicated are fully discussed. In spite of the fact that contributors are from many different schools, clinics and countries, the reader will note considerable continuity of content and correlation of material from one chapter to another. All contributors were familiar with the entire list of chapters. Repetition of material has been avoided. Throughout the work the editors have endeavored to correlate similar themes and chapters by cross references from one chapter to another; this is not just a group of independent contributions, as is so often characteristic of multiply authored texts of this scope. The tone of the present edition continues to be clinical. However, basic concepts and origins are stressed. We believe a careful balance is maintained between origins —basic, anatomic, physiologic, biochemical and pathologic-on the one hand, and clinical data-diagnostic, therapeutic (including surgical)-on the other. It is hoped that students will find here the basic scientific data applicable to the clinical problem in which they are interested. There is an appraisal of the old and proved, as well as the new-with promise or proof It is not a treatise on controversies, but divergent opinions on active topics are not excluded. The reader will find the art of medicine emerging within the context of the scientific presentation. The person as well as the disease is given consideration throughout.