Some members of the medical profession have, in the course of their practice, availed themselves of the theory first propounded by our Author, but have failed to acknowledge—either through ignorance or inadvertence—the source of their information.
Under these circumstances it has been deemed an act of justice, though tardy, to place before the profession and the public a translation of the original work of Dancel, modifications in matters of theory have, however, been introduced, which the progress of science imperatively demanded.
The invariable success which has attended the treatment of several cases of obesity in this city, in accordance with the principles established by Dancel, warrants the assertion that the system is in every respect worthy of public confidence.
AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
To the many individuals of both sexes who are afflicted with an excessive development of fat, rendering the ordinary duties of life not only irksome but ofttimes impossible,—an easy method of reducing obesity, in nowise interfering with the ordinary daily avocations of the patient, nor demanding any diminution in the actual amount of food consumed; requiring the use of none but the mildest and most harmless medicinal agents; improving at the same time the general health, and augmenting bodily and mental vigour,—must prove acceptable.
The process will be found not a mere speculative theory, but one based upon the great laws of Nature, as manifested throughout the whole of the animal kingdom.
AUTHOR'S PREFACE to the THIRD EDITION.
Can corpulence be reduced without injuriously affecting the general health? This is the grand question, and it is suggestive of another, which is:—an inordinate amount of fat once having been deposited in and among the living tissues, is its presence necessary for the preservation of the health and life of the individual? My answer is,—most assuredly no! Every one knows that an undue degree of corpulence is not only accompanied with great inconvenience to the individual, but is, in most instances productive of ill health, and too frequently of positive disease.