has it been deemed necessary to cite the different views taken as to the use and modes of action of the various organs, nor particularly to insist upon the reason why the opinion adopted has been preferred.

Were mankind a little better informed than they generally are of the constitution of their own bodies, and knew how fearfully and wonderfully they are made, they would be more careful in avoiding causes that tend to disturb and derange the functions; that induce painful and incurable maladies; that contribute to shorten the limited period of human life: and we should have fewer miserable and deluded dupes of ignorant pretension and impudent quackery.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION.

General Observations-Classification of Functions-Conservative

Functions-Circulation of the Blood-Respiration-Digestion

-Nature and Constitution of the Blood-Absorption-Secretion

-Functions of Relation-Nervous System-The External

Senses-Foetal Life-Concluding Remarks

xv xxiv

........

CHAPTER I.-CIRCULATION.

General View of Circulation--Opinion of Hippocrates-Theory

of Harvey-Discovery of the Absorbents-Structure of the

Heart-Condition at the point of death-Structure and Action

of the Arteries-Of the Capillaries-Of the Veins-Operation

of Transfusion-Heart an involuntary Organ-Heart insensible

-Effects of the Passions of the Mind-Size of the Heart in

proportion to the other Organs-Mechanical conditions of the

Blood Vessels-Circulation influenced by Respiration—through

the Brain-in the Abdomen

1-43

CHAPTER II.-RESPIRATION.

Organs of Inspiration-Expiration-Passages through the Dia-

phragm-Incidental Respiration-Respiration in Birds—in

Reptiles-Opinions of the Ancients as to the use of Respiration

-Atmosphere-Its Height-Weight-Humidity-Tempera-

ture-Composition-Changes produced on the Air by breathing

-Quantity of Water thrown off in the Breath-Diminution of

Oxygen-Increase of Carbonic Acid-State of Nitrogen-

Changes upon the Blood-In Colour-Density-Chemical

Constitution-Temperature and Animal Heat-Source and

Distribution of-How regulated when the Body is exposed to

High and to Low Temperatures-Progressive Development

of Animal Heat in the New-born-Adaptation to the Tem-

perature of different Climates-Hybernation-Voice and Speech

--Respiration of different Gases-Asphyxia-Means for restoring

the Functions in Suspended Animation
.44-115

............

CHAPTER III.-DIGESTION.

A General Account of the Changes which the food undergoes in

the Digestive Organs-Man a Cooking Animal-Food assimi-

lated to the Temperature of the Body in the Mouth-Teeth,

their Structure and Use in various Animals-The Teeth of

Man, their Form, Number, and Structure-Why there are two

Sets-Motions of the Jaw-Saliva, Composition and Use of—

Deglutition--General View of the Alimentary Canal-Stomach

-Duodenum-Small Intestine-Large Intestine-Liver--

Spleen-Pancreas-Organs of Digestion in Carnivorous Ani-

mals-in Ruminants-in Birds-Digestive Apparatus of Man

adapted to a greater variety of Food than that of any other

Animal-Animal Food, and its proximate principles-Veget-

able Food, and its proximate principles-One or other most

suitable to different climates-Concentration, Variety, Con-

sistence, and Quantity influence the Digestibility of Food--

Condiments, Salt, Acids, Bitters, Astringents, Aromatics-

Hunger and Thirst-Chymification--Gastric Juice-Its pecu-

liar powers-Chylification-Biliary, Pancreatic, and Intestinal

Secretions-Chyle absorbed, and conveyed through intricate

channels, becomes gradually assimilated to, and converted into

perfect Blood-Last efforts for the Abstraction of Nourishment

-Drinks-Several substances introduced into the Circulation

from the Alimentary Canal without being changed ..116-185

CHAPTER IV.-THE BLOOD.

Blood-Physical Properties of-Colour-The Red Globules-

Their Form and Constitution-Smaller and more numerous in

Mammalia-Odour-Characteristic of the Animal to which it

belongs-Consistence-Temperature-Specific Gravity--Quan-

tity of in the Body-Coagulation-Relative Proportion of Se-

rum and Clot-Serum-Fibrin-Oil of the Blood-Table of

Analysis of-Vital Properties...
186-201

CHAPTER V.-ABSORPTION.

Purposes served by the function of Absorption-Absorption from

the Skin-From Mucous Membranes-From Serous Mem-

branes-From Cellular Tissue-From the Surfaces of the Joints

-Interstitial Absorption-Its importance in carrying off the

old worn-out particles, and consequent subservience to the

renewal of the different parts of the body-Special Organs of

Absorption-Discovery of-Controversies respecting-Lacteals

and Lymphatics-Their excessive number-Lymphatic Glands

-Their Office-Case of puncture from Dissection-Endosmose

and Exosmose-Venous Absorption-Causes influencing Ab-

sorption-Causes which tend to increase or diminish the risk

from exposure to contagious Diseases....
202-232

CHAPTER VI.-SECRETION.

Preliminary Observations- Classification of Secretions-Matter

of Perspiration-Scarf-skin serves as a barrier between the

Body and the External World-The vast extent of the two

general Mucous Membranes-Only one Mucous Membrane in

Animals below the class of Mammalia-Gaseous Exhalations

- Follicular Secretions-Unctuous Secretion of the Skin-

Necessity of Personal Cleanliness-Liquor of the Eyelids—

Wax of the Ears-Musk, and other Odorous Secretions of

Animals-Glandular Secretions-Arrangement of the Glands-

Tears-Effects of the passions and emotions of the Mind upon

Lachrymal Glands-Why Women and Children shed Tears

easily Secretions connected with Digestion adverted to-

Structure and Use of the Kidneys-The very compound nature

of the Urine Urine carries off the superfluous, useless, and

worn-out particles from the System-The quantity of Urine

regulates the balance of Fluids in the Body-Sugar in the

Urine Urinary Concretions-Urinary Bladder-its Structure

and Use-Partly under the Control of the Will-Glandular

Bodies, whose use has not been ascertained-Interstitial Se-

cretion Nutrition, Growth, and Renewal of the various Tex-

tures of the Body..
233-264

CHAPTER VII.-NERVOUS SYSTEM.

Introductory Remarks-Hairy Scalp-Skull formed of separate

Bones-Advantages of this Construction-Consists of two

Plates-Advantages of-Membranes of the Brain, and the

Purposes they serve-Divisions of the Brain-Presents one

Continuous Surface, without the slightest trace of Division-

Dr Spurzheim's Demonstration of-Enormous Quantity of

Water collected in-Microscopic Observations of Bauer-Of

Ehrenberg-Structure described-Evolution of the Nervous

System in size and complexity accompanied with Parallel