PREFACE
to the second edition
The first edition of Diseases of
the Aorta has been well received by the
medical community. The second edition of
the Textbook has increased the number of
pages from 430 to 675 and the number of
chapters from 37 to 53. A section of Congenital
Diseases has been incorporated and the new
chapters on thoracoabdominal aneurysm, abdominal
aorta and iliac arteries, traumatic injury
of the thoracic aorta, spinal chord ischemia,
endografting of descending aorta are extensively
treated in the second edition. In addition
, the contents of the first edition have
been updated.
The atonement of man’s unity
with science
At the dawn of the 21St century our scientific
conscience is in sorrow in the lower realms
of nature. We look as prejudicial minds
athirst in the desert desperately searching
for the footsteps of truth.
The old belief from the late 19Th and early
20Th centuries stating that as modern science
led to increase the understanding and intelligence
of human beings it should avoid human hatred,
persecution, terrorism, war, starvation
and its effects in the body of mankind has
been a misconception of life. It has been
an illusion . It has been an error and error
is always error. The standing of the harmony
of being the dream of modern science has
been a failure. Our work has not been a
good job searching for certainty and well-being
of mankind..
From the science our aim to understand
the frightening world of today seems as
if we were floundering in a swamp or gasping
for air in the desert. However, it is here
—in swamp or desert— that we
must fight with bleeding footsteps our own
war from the wisdom of modern science to
give material support and spiritual compassion
to the sick without discrimination in race
and religious belief. Our aim must be to
have them understood spiritually, for only
this understanding and intelligence make
truth be gained.
We should examine ourselves and learn what
the affection and purpose of the heart are,
since this is the only way we can learn
what we can honestly do to help in the marasmus
of this century’s world.
It may be simply idealism in action in
the frightening world of today and such
a high aim is bound to fall short of the
mark many times.
However, we should remember the words of
John Adams, written in February 1776—
“We cannot ensure success, but we
can deserve it”. When the smoke of
battle clears away of our own life we will
discern the good that we have done.
Domingo Liotta,
MD
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