Outlines of physiology : human and comparative

Preface

The plan of the present work has been designed with the special view to its utility as an Educational Book, the subject being explained, in it, in a particular order and manner, and the Science of Physiology treated as dependent on those of Anatomy, Chemistry, and Physics.

In completing the details of each subject, the best and most recent authorities have been consulted, especially the systematic works of Quain and Sharpey, Gray, Kolliker, Gegenbauer, and Leydig, on Anatomy, and of Carpenter, Todd and Bowman, MUller, and Vierordt, on Physiology. Besides this, many of the articles in Todd's Cyclopaedia of Anatomy and Physiology, and many separate works or essays have been referred to, including Papers by Owen, Allen Thomson, Huxley, Beale, and Quatrefages on Anatomical subjects, the Chemical and Physical Essays of Graham, Williamson, Dalton, Helmholz, Playfair, Frankland, Stokes, and Bence Jones, and the Physiological writings of Brown- Sequard, Dubois- Eeymond, Bishop, Paget, Savory, Eichardson, Lister, and others.

The work, as originally planned, several years since, was of smaller size and humbler pretensions ; but, as now completed, after considerable labour and in fulfilment of a task once begun, it will, it is hoped, prove serviceable to the student of Medicine and Surgery, presenting a concise but comprehensive summary of modern Physiological Science, both Human and Comparative.

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PKEFACE.

It also offers, to all candidates in Natural Science Examinations, to Teachers in Schools where instruction in Physiology is given, and to the lover of Nature generally, a convenient guide, and an ample store of information, in their Physiological studies.

As Anatomy teaches us the Structure of an Organised Body, Organic Chemistry, its Chemical constitution, and Physics, its Physical Properties, — so Physiology instructs us in the Physical, Chemical, and Vital actions which occur in it, during Life. The last-named science therefore requires a certain acquaintance with the others.

The following Outlines of Physiology, accordingly, commence with a short description of the Human Body, its Cavities, and the Organs which they contain. It is then shown how a beginner in Physiological studies may be assisted in this part of the subject by the Dissection of an Animal.

Attention is next drawn to the Textures or Tissues of which he several parts or Organs of the body are composed. The tongue and larynx of the sheep are selected as convenient parts, to illustrate the General characters. Connections, and Uses of these Tissues. The Microscopic Structure of the Tissues in the Human Body, is then described ; and afterwards, their Physical properties and Chemical constitution.

Under the head of General Physiology, an account is given of the Vital Properties of the Tissues, and a general outline of the Functions of the living Animal Body.

The relations of Man with External Nature, are next considered, including a sketch of the Animal Kingdom to which Man belongs, and of the Types and Laws of Form, which it presents. To this is added a comparison of the Animal with the Vegetable Kingdom, and of both those Organic Kingdoms with the Inorganic Kingdom.

The Special Physiology of the several Animal Functions, is then examined in detail, commencing with those of Animal Life, in the following order : —

Animal Motion ; Movements generally ; Animal Mechanics ;

PREFACE.

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Lfocomotion on solids, in fluids, and in air ; Prehension ; Mani- )ulation ; Gesture ; Voice, and Speech.

Sensation, the Regulation of Movement, and the Psychical J'unctions, or the Functions of the Nervous System. Treated LS special subjects under this head, are Sensation generally, ,nd its Modifications; viz. the Internal Sensations, such as lunger. Thirst, Nausea, and Want of Breath ; and the External Sensations, viz. Touch, Temperature, Taste, Smell, learing, and Sight.

The foregoing subjects occupy the First Volume.

The Second Volume is devoted to the functions of Vegetative jife, as follows : —

Digestion, v^ith an account of the Nature and Value of the ifferent kinds of Food.

Absorption, including General Absorption, Absorption of he digested Food, and Interstitial Absorption.

The Circulation of the Blood, its Causes and Phenomena, nd the Quantity of Blood in the Body.

[Nutrition, both General and Reparative, of the Fluids and olids of the body, with the Uses of the Blood, and its Vitalitj-^, le effects of Hgemorrhage, and the phenomenon of the Coaguition of the Blood.

Sanguification, or the processes by which the Blood is reewed. This includes an account of the Uses of the Ductless rlands, together with that of the Liver, considered as a Bloodrland.

Secretion, or the processes by which certain Glands separate laterials from the Blood, for use in the Living Economy. ' Excretion, or the processes by which other Glands separate laterials from the Blood, to be removed from the Economy.

Respiration, or the Function of Breathing, by which the lood is purified, and the whole body maintained fit for the ierformance of all the Functions.

Animal Heat, Light, and Electricity, and their dependence 1 vita- Chemical action.

Animal Statics and Dynamics, treated of in a se})arate ection, comprehending an account of the Specific Gravity,

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PREFACE.

the Stature, and the Weight of the body and its Organs ; the balance between the Ingesta and the Egesta ; the various Forms of Force or Energy exerted in the living body ; and s the Relations of these Forces to the quantity of Food and Air consumed, and to the Chemical Actions by which such Forces are produced.

The subject of Generation, includes a consideration of the '| different forms of Reproduction in the Animal Kingdom ; the : Development of the Vertebrate Embryo, its Appendages, Organs, and Tissues, and the mode of Reparation of the latter. The Evolution of the Chick is taken as the ground- work of the Description of the Embryo.

This Volume concludes with brief Sections on the Growth of the Body, its Decay and Death.

In treating each Function, the Structure and, where necessary, the Chemical Composition and Physical Properties of the ■ several Organs, are described ; and care is taken to indicate the Mechanical, Physical, and Chemical conditions, in harmony with, and frequently by the co-operation of, which they are . Tj performed.

At the end of each Section, the General or Essential Characters of a given Function, as distinguished from its Special Characters in Man, are illustrated by copious references to the Structure and Uses of the Organs concerned in that Function, in the several Classes of Animals.

The Author desires here to express his deep obligation^ to Mr. John Castaneda, for much valuable and prolonged! assistance.

10, Savile Row, Oct. 1867.