Human physiology : the basis of sanitary and social science

Front matter

THE BASIS OF

Sai'IITARY & SOCIAL SCIENCE

PROPERTY O? TH BRITISH PHREMOlOGiCAL SC

Preface

while metaphysicians, moralists, and theologians have confused rather than enlightened our ideas as to the moral nature of man, and his consequent social requirements.

I have endeavoured to write a plain, practical work, as free as possible from technicalities, which will enable eveiy reader to understand the present condition of human society ; the structure and functions of the human body; the laws of generation, or the methods by which the species is continued and character determined by hereditary influences ; the laws o health ; the nature, prevention, and cure of diseases ; the moral and social nature of man, and that state of morals and constitution of society which will secure his highest earthly good, and his greatest happiness. _ . ,

With this end I have divided my work into six distinct portions, each in a certain degree independent of the others, yet all integral parts of the same general design. _ _

Part First treats of the actual condition of humanity in what are considered the most advanced human societies, giving statistics of disease, and premature or preventable mortality; of poverty, and its evils and miseries; ignorance, drunkenness, dishonesty, crime, immorality, and prostitution and its consequences. This morbid social anatomy is a very painful, but, it seemed to me, a very necessary examination of the symptoms

of a disordered and diseased society.

Part Second, which will be to many readers the most interesting portion of the book, and from its subject and illustrations the most delightful, treats of Matter, Force, and Life; the vegeUble and animal creation; of man, and the wide differences between him and all other creatures, and of the peculiar nature and immortal destiny of humanity. This Part contains t e principles of general physiology, or the science of life, which are applied and illustrated in the succeeding portions.

Part Third contains a description of the human body Md its most important organs and functions-those of locomotion.

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Preface.

sensation, thought, feeling, and will; the building up, sustaining, and repairing of the organism ; the removal of its waste matter and impurities ; the peculiarities of individual organisations ; and the phenomena and laws of life and death.

Part Fourth treats of the most important superadded function of generation, or reproduction, as it exists in vegetables, animals, and the human species ; the unfolding of the body from its germ ; the relations of the sexes in love and marriage; the laws of paternity, or the influence of parents upon the physical and moral characters of their children ; the laws of sexual morality, and those problems of the sexual relation, so difficult to treat in a popular work, and yet so necessary to be known, that they cannot with any propriety be omitted. A work on Human Physiology which does not treat of the function of reproduction, is as great a monstrosity as would be a human being in whom that function did not exist. I believe that the whole subject is treated in this work in such a manner as will satisfy every reasonable requirement, and at the same time give no reasonable offence. I have earnestly endeavoured, in the letterpress and illustrations, to give all necessary and useful information upon subjects of vital importance, and, at the same time, to avoid any possible injury.

Part Fifth treats comprehensively of Health, its laws and eonditions; and of Disease, its causes, prevention, and cure. This will probably be considered by many the most valuable, and practically useful portion of the work ; and I am sure the chapters on medical systems and practice, and Hydropathy, or the water cure, will be read with interest and profit.

Part Sixth contains the application of the leading principle or idea of the work to Education, Morals, and Society ; and is an attempt to point out the kind of social organisation required by the nature of man — that which would give occupation to all his faculties, bring out his higher, and restrain or subordinate vi Preface

his lower nature, and give to every individual his greatest use, and therefore his highest good and happiness.

I wish, therefore, that this Book may be read by all Christians and Philanthropists; by all Clergymen, Lawyers, and Physicians ; by all Professors and Teachers ; by Editors and Authors ; by Legislators and Magistrates, Landed Proprietors and Capitalists ; by Working Men and Working Women ; by all Fathers and Mothers ; by all Young Men and Young Women, who specially need to know what it teaches; and I believe that it may also be safely, wisely, and with great benefit, placed in the hands of every child who is old enough to understand it : but of this every parent will form his own judgment.

The whole book is the result of the study, observation, experience, and thought of an active and varied life, passed in two hemispheres, and now wearing to its close. Its motives will be found in every chapter, and appreciated, I trust, by every reader. I believe that it will do great good — first to individuals, by giving a knowledge of the laws of health ; later, to society, by aiding in those great social reformations which are destined to change the face of the world, bring peace to nations, plenty to populations, and a higher and purer life to all mankind. For I devoutly believe that the prophecy of the prayer — “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven ” — must be fulfilled ; and I humbly hope, with God's help, to contribute my mite towards its fulfilment.

Asking the fraternal co-operation of all who sympathise with me in this object, I remain, ever a humble worker for humanity,

T. L. NICHOLS.

Malvern, 1872.

CONTENTS rART I.— ACTUAL CONDITION OF HUMANITY.

Chapter I. — Man and his Relations

Physiology defined — The Law of Life in Organisation — The Natural Basis of Morality — Human Progress — Man differs from all other Animals — Moral Responsibility — Reason and Instinct — Man alone a Religious Being — Population of the Earth — Destiny of Savages — England a Model Nation, ........ i-8

Chapter II. — Premature and Preventable Mortality

Natural Death — The Age of Man — His Triple Warfare — Responsibilities of the Governing Classes — Statistics of Mortality — Death-Rate in the English Metropolis — The Battle of Life, . . . . 8-13

Chapter III. — The Mortality of Classes and Conditions

Death-rate in Town and Country — Sanitary Influence of Altitude — Drainage — Comparative Longevity of Gentry, Tradesmen, and Working Men — Moral Causes of Excessive Mortality — Whose the Fault? . 13-17

Chapter IV. — Infant Mortality and Inpanticide

Conditions of Infancy — General Statistics of Infant Mortality — Infant Mortality in Certain Places and Classes — Workhouse Murder of Infants — How far Preventable — Gentry, Tradesmen, Operatives — Infanticide — Child-killing by Opium — Testimony of Rev. J. Clay, Mr. Simon, Dr. Lankester, &c. — Murder of Illegitimate Children — Child Murder in France and America, .... 17-27

Chapter V. — Poverty and its Evils

A Network of Evils — The Root of all — The First Step in Reform — Condition of Agricultural Labourers — Former Condition of the Poor — Recent Slavery of Women and Children — Horrors of the Workhouse — Dwellings of the Poor — Crowding, Filth, and Indecency — Berkshire Cottages — London Lodgings — English Yeomen — Condition of Children Physical Effects of Poverty — Social Rights and Duties, . 28-37

Chapter IV. — Ignorance.

The British Labourer— Statistics of Education — Dangers of Ignorance — Ignorance and Crime — Compulsory Education — Much more is needed — Matters of Life and Death — Responsibilities of the Educated Classes, and especially of the Clergy — Sins of Ignorance, . . 37-41 mn

Contents,

Chapter VII. — Drunkenness

The Prevalence of Drunkenness — Causes and Consequences — Cost of Stimulants — Numbers Supported by the Trade — The Spectacle of Drunkenness — Scenes in Liverpool and Manchester — Increase of Drunkenness — The Temperance Movement in England — Medical Testimony — Balance Sheet, 42-47

Chapter VIII. — Dishonesty and Crime

Man alone Criminal — Crimes of English Life — Lying and Cheating — Perjury — Pecuniary Dishonesty — ^The Criminal Classes — Statistics of Crime — Cost of Crime — Dishonesty of Servants — Dishonesty ripens into Crime — The Gardens of Guilt, ..... 48-55

Chapter IX. — Vice and Immorality

Crime and Vice Exceptional — Statistics of Illegitimacy — Morals of England, Scotland, and Sweden — Immorality of the Lower Orders — Mortality of Illegitimate Children — The Gang System — South Wales — Rural Morals — Statute Fairs and Hirings — Middle and Upper Classes — Unequal Numbers of the Sexes — Preference for Unmarried Wet- Nurses — Children Born to Vice — A Sensual Literature — A Lower Deep, 55-64

Chapter X. — ^^Prostitution and its Consequences

Sexual Abuses peculiar to Humanity — Women driven to Prostitution — Corruption by Fraud or Force — Seduction and Prostitution of Children — East End of London — In the Parks — Garrisons — Characters of Prostitutes — Scenes at the West End — Toleration of Prostitution — Demand and Supply — The Evil Consequences — The Plague of Syphilis — Extent of its Ravages — Frightful Disease and Mortality — Effect on the Army — Right and Despotism — Liberty and Law, . 65-80

Chapter I. — Matter

Evils and their Remedy — Matter a Mystery — Solid, Liquid, Gaseous — Atoms and Molecules — No Contact of Atoms — Expansion, Contraction, Elasticity, Vibration — Size of Atoms — Microscopic Wonders — Elementary Bodies and their Combinations — The Earth — The Chief Elements of Nature — Points of Force, .... 81-92

Chapter II. — Force

What is Gravitation? — Magnetism — Atomic Attraction and Heat — Cohesion — Repulsive Forces — Attraction of Liquids and Solids for Gases — Solution and Crystallisation — Capillary Attraction — Electricity — Galvanism— Is Heat a mode of Motion? — What is Heat? — Force of the Sun — Unused and Unrecognised Forces, . . . 93-105

Contents, tx

Chapter III. — Life

Organisation — What is Life? — A Guiding Intelligence — Life precedes Organisation — Necessity of a Self-existent Cause — Genesis of Species — The Darwinian Hypothesis — Characteristics of the Vegetable Kingdom— Variety of Products from the same Elements — Vital Chemistry — Sexual Life in Plants — Vital Mechanism — Nutritive Contrivances — Seed Distribution — Plant Aromas — Functions of Leaves — Contrivances for Reproduction — Protection — Mind, . . . 105-118

Chapter IV. — Animal Life

Life in Animalculae— Mollusca — Wonders of Insect Life — Insect Transformations— Flies — Bombardier Beetle — Honey Bee — Ants — Fire h'lies — Spiders — Fishes — Snails — The Rattlesnake — Birds, their Forms and Plumage — Butterflies — Beetles — Life in the Deep Sea, . 118-132

Chapter V. — Life in the Higher Orders of Animals

Mammalia — Resemblances and Diversities — Adaptations of Domestic Animals to the wants of Man — The Horse — The Dog — The Camel — The Elephant — Ready Submission to Man — Sagacity and Humanity — Character expressed in Organism — The Manis — The Beaver — Monkeys— The Gorilla and Orang Outang — The Life of Man — Unity of Life — Infinite Power and Wisdom, .... 132- 145

Chapter VI. — Human Life and Immortality

The Highest Powers of Life in Humanity — Sexual Life — Social Life — Health and Disease — Health Forces Spiritual — Radiation of Life — Spiritual Attractions and Repulsions — Spiritual Powers of Animals — Clairvoyance, Dreams, Trance — The Spirit Life — Proofs of Immortality, 145-159

PART IIL—THE HUMAN BODY.

Chapter I. — Bones and Muscles

The Human Form our Highest Ideal — Symmetry — The Vital System — The Spine — Cranium — Thorax — Pelvis — Extremities — Mechanism of J oints — Protection of Brain and Organs of Sense — Muscles' of the Neck, Face, Eye, Fore-arm — Tendons — Nervous Control of Muscular Action, Habitual Movements — Force of Muscular Contraction, . 161-172

Chapter II. — Brain and Nerves

The Brain — Form and Structure — The Ganglionic Nervous System — Mode of Nervous Action — Complexity and Mystery — Origin of Nerves — The Brain the Organ of the Mind — Has each Faculty of the Mind a distinct Organ? 173-180

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Contents,

Chapter III. — The Five Senses

Sense of Touch — Skin and Nerves of Sensation — Taste — Aided by Smell — Papillae of the Tongue — Uses of Taste — Smell — Odours — Powers of Smell in Men and Animals — Hearing — Phenomena of Sound — Structure of the Ear — Uses of Hearing— Sight — Structure of the Eye — Wonders of Vision, 181-193

Chapter IV. — The Alimentary System

Food Elements — Organs of the Oyster — Alimentary Canal of an Insect — Mucous Membrane — Teeth of Herbivorous, Carnivorous, and Frugivorous Animals — Saliva- -The Stomach— Gastric Juice — Small Intestines — Ciliae — Pancreas — Bile — Villi and F ollicles — Lymphatics — Constipation — Relations of Food to Health, . . . 193-202

Chapter V. — The Blood

Matter taking on Life — Mechanism of the Heart — Aeration of the Blood — Course of the Circulation — Capillaries — Distribution of Arteries and Veins — Circulation in a Frog’s Foot — Forces of the Circulation — Controlled by Nervous Power, ...... 202-210

Chapter VI. — Secretions and Excretions

Action of the Lungs — Ventilation — The Liver — The Spleen — The Kidneys — Effects of Animal Food — The Intestinal Glands — Action of Cathartics— The Skin — Pores — Sweat Glands — Chill — How to Strengthen the Skin, 2 10-2 17

Chapter VII. — Idiosyncrasies

The Four Temperaments — Nature’s Counterpoise to Variations — Causes of Idiosyncrasies — Singularities — Physical and Mental Diseases — Moral Responsibility — Manias — Good Souls in Diseased Bodies — Sleep — Instincts of Time, Locality, Number, .... 217-224

Chapter VIII. — Laws of the Bodily Life

The Law of Exercise — Effects of Training — Musical and Artistic — Natural Talent — Early Training — Effects of Bodily Exercise — Laziness— Curse of Childhood — Boys and Girls — Law of Habit — Physical Habits — Moral and Religious Habits — Moral Responsibility, . 225-232

1 Chapter IX. — Life and Death.

Subjects postponed to Part Fourth — Vital Heat — Equality of Heat — Life in High and Low Temperatures — Origin of Animal Heat — Radiation and Evaporation — The Phenomena of Death — Possibility of the Resurrection— Conscious Identity — Pleasure and Pain, . 233-240

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Chapter I. — Vegetable Reproduction

iDignity and Importance of the Function of Reproduction — Various Modes of Reproduction in Vegetables — Functions of Flowers — Processes in Fertilisation — Pollen and Germ — True Generation — Formation of Bulbs — Tubers — Slips, Buds, and Grafts — Spores — Loves of the Plants, 241-245

Chapter II. — Animal Reproduction

Varieties of Modes of Reproduction in Animals — Gemmation — Fission — Rapid Multiplication — Artificial Reproduction — Production of Eggs — Masculine and Feminine Elements — The Propagation of Fishes, Insects, Birds, the Mammalia — Size of Eggs, .... 246-250

Chapter III. — Germination and Fecundation

Production of Germs in Vegetables, Insects, and Animals— Varying Powers of Reproduction — Office of the Ovaries— Anatomy of the Testes — Evolution of Spermatozoa — Results of Impregnation — Changes at Puberty — Peculiarities and Mission of Woman, . . 250-257

Chapter IV. — Embryology

Changes at Conception — Foetus in Utero — Size and Development of the Human Ovum — The Hen’s Egg — Development of Chick in Process of Incubation — Development of Fishes — Growth of HumanFoetus — Peculiarities of Foetal Life — Phenomena of Birth — Lactation, 257-266

Chapter V. — Physical Love

Sexual Attractions — Blind and Regulated Instinct — Phenomena of Impregnation— Law of Sexual Union among Animals — Normal Period of Conception— Natural Laws of Human Sexual Relations— Law of Exercise — Law of Chastity — Dangers of Childhood and Youth, . 267-274

Chapter VI. — Love and Marriage

Sexual Attraction — Various Kinds of Love — Attraction of Opposites — First Love — Spiritual Loves — Loves that should not End in Marriage — Various Forms of Marriage — Sexual Relations of Animals — Reasons for Monogamy — Celibacy — Who Have a Right to Marry — Should Marriage be for Life? — Divorce, ..... 275-283

Chapter VII. — Hereditary Transmission

Laws of Breeding — Plants and Animals — Darwin on Marriage — Hereditary Transmission of Peculiarities of Race — Mixed Characters Transmitted — Law of Hereditary Vices— Qualities given by each Parent — Influences during Gestation — Blood or Race — Inherited Disease and Moral Predispositions — Fruitfulness and Longevity — Ante-Natal Impressions, ......... 284-293 xii Contents.

Chapter VIII. — The Laws of Sexual Morality

All Laws founded in Nature — The Law for Childhood — The Law for Youth — Equality of the Sexes — Opinion of Dr. Carpenter — Waste of Life — The Law of Chastity — The Law of Marriage — Worldly Morality — “Sexual Religion” — An Abhorrent Doctrine — The Christian Doctrine of Marriage — The Law of Progress, . . . 293-308

Chapter IX. — Problems of the Sexual Relation

Of the True Marriage — The Relation of Marriage to Love — Limitation of the Number of Offspring— Marital Rights — Woman’s Rights and Wrongs — The Religious Rule — The Population Question — Food Resources of Great Britain and Ireland — The Physiological Solution — Ought the Sexes to be Educated together — Dangers of Seduction — ^Jealousy, 308-320

Chapter I. — Health

What is Health? — Beauty — A Picture of Health — Harmony of Life — Activity — A Condition of Happiness — Exceptional Happiness in Disease— Health Natural — Health of Plants and Animals — Natural Life and Natural Death — The Attainment of Health a moral and religious Duty, 321-327

Chapter II. — The Conditions of Health

Birth — The Care of Infancy — Diet of Infancy and Childhood — Temperature and Clothing— Influence of Light — Pure Air — Ventilation— Size of Rooms — Ventilation of Towns — Duty of Architects — Sanitary Police — The Natural Food of Man — Stimulants and Intoxicants — Clothing and Shelter — Bathing — Sleeping — Work — Society — Chastity — Religion — Righteousness, 328-341

Chapter III. — Disease

What is Disease? — The Mystery of Pain — Theories of Pathology — Classification of Diseases: Zymotic, Constitutional, and Local — Most Diseases Preventable — Efforts of Nature to Expel Matter or Remedy Disordered Action — Two Elements in Zymotic Diseases — Cancer, Scrofula, Consumption— Brain, Digestive Organs, Kidneys — Phenomena and Seat of Diseased Action, 341-349

Chapter IV. — The Causes of Disease

Hereditary Taint and Predisposition — Darkness — Malaria — Contagion — Impure Air— Food, Famine, Excess— Condiments— Impure and Hard Water — Stimulants — Clothing and Shelter — Mortality from Cold — Diseasing Fashions — Excessive Labour and Unhealthy Employments

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— Amative Excess' — Solitary Vice— Moral Causes of Disease — Double Origin of Contagious Diseases — Scrofula — Consumption — Syphilis— Brain and Nervous System— Effects of Narcotics — Heart and Circulation — Dyspepsia — Constipation — Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral Poisons — Drugs as causes of Disease, . . 349-368

Chapter V. — The Prevention of Disease

Sanitary Legislation — Testimony of Dr. Playfair — Status of the Medical Profession — Case of the Murdered Convicts— Sanitary Education — Effects of Disinfectants — Quinine — Vaccination — Sanitary Inspection, 369-375

Chapter VI. — Medical Systems and Practice

Priests Anciently Physicians — Hippocrates — Celsus — Galen — Paracelsus — Conflicting Theories of Disease and Medicine — Medical Delusions Herbalists — Homoeopathy — Hydropathy — All Systems Successful — — Nature Cures — The Gift of Healing — Women as Physicians — Eclecticism, 375-3^4

Chapter VII. — Hydropathy; or, The Water Cure

Water Cure Natural — Its Wide Repute — Its Striking Effects’ — The Wet Sheet Pack — Water Cure in Miasmatic and Contagious Diseases — Diseases of Women — Childbirth — Turkish Bath and Artificial Heat — Dangers of Heroic Treatment — Law of Adaptation— Invigoration of Cold — Sitz Baths — Bandages — Apoplexy — F asting — Cancer — S crofula — Obesity— Change of Air — Consumption — Asthma— Will — Light — Faith, 384-400

PART V/.— MORALS AND SOCIETY.

Chapter I. — The Moral Basis of a True Society

The Law of Life — Human Disorder — Man a Social Being — Upward Tendencies of Humanity — Natural Conscience — Perception of Justice — The Laws of Morality Simple and Self-Evident — Morality the Basis of a True Society — Morality of the Bible — War and Peace, . 401-407

Chapter II. — Human Rights and Responsibilities

A True Society Natural — The Rights of Man — Individual Property in Light, Air, Water, Land — No Absolute Right of Property — Eminent Domain — Mines and Fisheries — Emigration — Responsibilities of Ownership or Possession — Production and Distribution, . 407-414

Chapter HI. — Leadership.

The Principles of Social Order — Every Body must have its Head — Illustrations in Music and Architecture — The Uses of an Aristocracy — Captains of Industry — The Work for Noblemen, Landed Proprietors, and Capitalists, ........ 414-418

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Co7itents,

Chapter IV. — Economies of a True Society

The Waste of Life — A Nation of Shopkeepers — The Robbery of Idleness — Co-Operation and Trade Reform — The True System of Trade — False Ideas of Gentility — Examples of True Dignity and Nobility — The Frauds of Labour — General Distrust and Social War — Higher Aspirations— Economy of Honesty — Efforts at Reform — Mr. Roebuck on Working-men, 419-426

Chapter V. — Social Theories

Social Systems of Moses, Plato, the Early Christians — Communism of the Religious Orders — Shakers, Rappites, Mormons— Owen, Cabet, Warren — Fourierism — The Phalanstery — Adaptation to English Life — Rural Associations — Social Organisation in Towns — Economies and Advantages — Working Men’s Clubs — Suburban Societies, 426-439

Chapter VI. — Difficulties of Social Organisation

The Difficulty of Caste — What should determine Social Position — Moral Influences of Association — Habit and Education — Feminine Helplessness— The Difficulty of Bad Manners — Masculine Professions — The Religious Difficulty, 439-449

Chapter VII. — Government and Political Economy

Social Tendencies — Functions of Government — Circulation of Intelligence — Transport of Goods and Passengers — Insurance — Distribution of the Necessaries of Life— Order and Regulation of Social Interests — Diabolic Elements of Political Economy — The True Principle of Wages — Rent, 449-462

Chapter VIII. — Education

Its Power Limited by Natural Differences — Effects of Early Training — Classical Learning, Pagan — The Motives of Education — Success in Life — Competitive Examinations — True Object of Education — Must be Physiological — Education of the Bodily Powers, Senses, and all Faculties, 462-468

Chapter IX. — Social Principles and Preparation

Remedies for Social Wrongs — Revolutions — Division of Property — Burthens of Labour — Abuse of Riches — True Uses of Wealth — Rapid Social Transformations — Individual Preparation — Orderly Progress — Training in Honesty — A True Society can only be founded in Equity — The Speaker, Earl Derby, Lord Napier — The Human Constitution the Model of Human Society. ...... 468-479

Snow Crystals,

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Section of a Leaf Magnified,

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Section of a Pistil Magnified,

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Gnats Emerging,

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Sting of the Honey Bee Magnified, .

Poison Fang and Rattles of the Rattlesnake,

The Bird of Paradise,

The Manis, ....

Skull of the Beaver,

Tail and Feet of the Beaver,

Skull of the Orang-Outang, .

Foot of the Orang-Outang, .

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Brain and Nerves of Man,

The Vital System, . . .

The Brain Exposed,

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Muscular Fibre,

Transverse Section of the Neck,

Muscles of the Face,

Muscles of the Eyeball,

Pronators of the Fore- Arm, .

Tendons and Arteries of the Hand, .

Termination of Muscular Nerves,

Longitudinal Section of the Brain, .

Brain and Nerve Matter Magnified, .

Minute Nervous Structure, .

Nervous System of Insects, .

Ganglion of a Sympathetic Nerve,

Pores, Papillae, and Nerves of the Skin,

Blood Vessels in Papillae of the Tongue,

Labyrinth of the Ear,

Section of the Eye, .

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Organs of the Oyster,

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List of Illustrations,

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Alimentary Canal of an Insect,

Skull of Carnivora, .

Glands in the Coat of the Stomach, .

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Ciliated Epithelium, .

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Villi and Follicles of Intestines,

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Lymphatics of Small Intestines,

Heart and Lungs,

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Heart and Lungs, showing Blood and Air Vessels, .

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Arteries and Veins of Head and Neck,

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Capillaries in the Skin,

Injected Veins from Coat of Intestine,

Circulation of the Hand,

Arteries and Veins of an Intestinal Villus,

Circulation in a Frog’s Foot,

Section of Kidney and Portion Magnified,

Section of Skin and Sweat Gland Magnified, ,

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Vertical Section of the Skin,

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Uterus, Ovaries, Fallopian Tubes, .

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Anatomy of the Testes,

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Evolution of Spermatozoa, .

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Foetus in Utero,

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Human Ovum,

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Ideal Section of Hen’s Egg,

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Hen’s Egg, Third Day of Incubation,

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Embryo Fowl of Eight Days,

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Mammal Ovum, . . ,

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Diagram of Natural Birth, . •

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Mammary Gland, . • •

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THE BASIS OF SANITARY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE.

Chapter I. Man And His Relations

Physiology defined — The Law of Life in Organisation — The Natural Basis of Morality — Human Progress — Man differs from all other Animals — Moral Responsibility — Reason and Instinct — Man alone a Religious Being — Population of the Earth — Destiny of Savages — England a Model Nation.

Physiology means, literally, the Science of Nature {physis, nature, and logos, discourse or science) ; but the word is used to signify Science of Life. The term Biology more accurately expresses this meaning, but it is not so generally understood, and has been perverted to other uses.

Human Physiology is the science which treats of the organs of the human body and their functions. In treating of the brain, or the organs of sensation, perception, or thought, we enter upon the domain of Psychology {psyche, the soul, and logos, a discourse), so that Physiology includes Psychology. We have also Vegetable, Animal, and Comparative Physiology,

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the latter being a comparison of the organs and functions of various forms of life.

In this work I propose to consider, first, the actual condition of Man, and of Humanity; to say something of man’s origin and place in nature ; of his relations to the material world ; and then to give such an account of his organs and their functions, in every part of his being, as may enable the reader to understand his nature — its capacities for use and enjoyment, and the causes of the evils of life and their remedies. The nature of man must reveal the law of his life.

As I have said in the Prospectus to this work : —

“The Law of Life for Man, as for all living things, is written in his organisation.

“The Constitution of Man; his Physiology, including his Psychology ; his relations and adaptations to nature ; his instincts, passions, sentiments, and intellectual faculties show us his origin, his natural condition, and his destiny.

“In the physical and mental organisation of man we have a guide to the conditions of health, the causes of disease, and the best methods of prevention and cure. Human Physiology contains, therefore, the whole ground work of Sanitary Science.

“We must also look into the nature of man fora true system of Education, the foundation of Morality, a rational system of Politics, the principles of Political Economy, and the laws of Industry, Art, and Society.

“The Science of Physiology, profoundly and comprehensively considered, shows us man’s place in nature and his relations to his fellow-men, and gives us the clearest view we can have of his powers, duties, and responsibilities, his capacities, attractions, and possibilities of happiness ; and also, in harmony with Divine Revelation, gives us the evidence and assurance of a continuous existence, or conscious immortality.

“ Human Physiology is, therefore, for us, the science of sciences, displaying the mind of God as written in the most

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perfect of His works subject to our observation, and giving us that knowledge of ourselves which must be the basis of individual and social progress and well-being.

‘‘ To live wisely on the earth we must know our relations to matter, elements, and forces, and the vegetable and animal creation. To live usefully and happily with our fellow-men, we must know ourselves and them, and our mutual relations and duties, sympathies and antipathies. Especially must we know the mutual relations of the sexes, and of parents and children, for these are the basis of morals and society. Lacking the instincts which guide the lower animals infallibly into the conditions and modes of life to which they are adapted, we need knowledge, science, the guidance of reason, and an enlightened conscience, which cannot fail to be in harmony with the will of a beneficent Creator.

“ Every portion of this Science of Man needs to be carefully and reverently studied. No part can be rightly or safely omitted. The propagation of the human race, and the hereditary transmission of physical and mental qualities, are subjects of the highest importance to every human being. Nor is it possible to treat of morals and society, and the duties of men and women in their most intimate and sacred relations, without a knowledge of the elements which form the basis of such relations; for I believe that it can be clearly shown that the laws of nature are in perfect harmony with the demands of morality, and that virtue and religion require nothing which is not the highest good of every creature.’^

If I am right in this belief, those who hold and teach the contrary are fearfully wrong. Professedly scientific works are very widely circulated which denounce the morality of law and religion as an injury to man and society; which counsel the young of both sexes to throw off all restraint,, and abandon even the pretence of virtuous principles and conduct. It is lime that such doctrines, propagated with the avowed intention

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of introducing universal licentiousness, should be met upon purely scientific grounds. It is not enough to exhort people to temperance and chastity: we must show them that Nature herself requires them, and that they lie at the foundation of health and happiness.

Man has lived upon the earth we know not how many thousand years. His records and monuments reach back at least four thousand years. At the earliest historic period he had a considerable degree of civilisation — he worked in metals, made clothing, ornaments, arms, and musical instruments, built magnificent edifices, and spoke and wrote noble and beautiful languages. It can hardly be said that man has made much progress in language from Sanscrit or Greek ; in architecture, from the temples of Egypt and Greece ; or in sculpture and poetry, from Praxiteles and Homer. Assuredly, the course of humanity 'has not been regularly progressive; development has been arrested; the countries and races which led and governed the world three or four thousand years ago, have fallen into barbarism. There are monuments whose meanings are unknown, and whose builders are forgotten, dead languages and ’lost arts, architecture and sculpture we are content to imitate, but have no hope of excelling.