The class book of anatomy, explanatory of the first principles of human organization, as the basis of physical education. Designed for schools

Front matter

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CLASS BOOK OF ANATOMY,

EXPLANATORY OF THE FIRST PRINCIPLES

Preface

TO THE FIRST EDITION.

Should the following work, in the hands of public instructers, be instrumental in explaining to the young a general knowledge of their own curious organization, it may lead to the adoption of such habits in early life, as will insure health in youth, and intellectual vigor in age.

The questions interspersed through the book are far from embracing all the subjects adverted to in the several natural divisions of the text : they are merely examples of the best mode of conducting the study, leaving it entirely with the teacher to select such parts for recitation as he may conceive most advisable.

Technical words have not been wholly avoided ; such as have been retained are for the master, to aid him in acquiring a more minute and exact knowledge of the science, that he may be the better prepared to assist those who are intrusted to his care.

If the volume should meet the approbation of those who are devoted to the best interests of mankind, it will not have been written in vain.

J. V. C. Smith.

Quarantine Ground, Port of Boston.

PREFACE

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

A story is related of a painter, who suspended a picture in the market-place of the city where he resided, on which his utmost skill had been exerted. By the side of it was a brush and colors, with a request that all good judges of the divine art of painting would judiciously alter any defects they might discover, which had escaped his own eye.

Nothing could have been more gratifying to the innate vanity of such as considered themselves qualified to decide upon the value or demerits of every thing they saw, than this general invitation. Every one who looked at the canvass discovered something in the composition essentially wrong, which was retouched, according to their own individual ideas of the sublime or the beautiful. The brush was no sooner laid down than another took it up : it was therefore constantly applied : but when the author called at evening to examine and admire the friendship which had been manifested for his reputation as an artist, there was not a single vestige of the original design remaining. Although all who chose had contributed the pigment which they considered absolutely necessary to perfect the picture, the next day it was unanimously declared that the painter was a man of no ingenuity or knowledge in his profession.

When the Class Book of Anatomy was first published, it was variously criticised by those who gave very clear and distinct rules for constructing a work that should meet with universal approbation. As no such system has made its appearance, and the first of a large edition having been completely exhausted, a second is now given, with considerable additional matter, and the whole care-

PREFACE. V

fully revised. The Class Book of Anatomy has been introduced into many academies and some of the higher class of seminaries : it is, therefore, confidently believed that it will now be found worthy of a more widely extended circulation.

Some have advised that no scientific terms should be used : but without them the science could not be taught. Others have, with equal strength, urged the importance of resorting to technical words as much as possible. To accommodate the text to the precise plan which different instructers have proposed, would have been a hopeless undertaking. Having taught anatomy and physiology many years, and in different collegiate institutions lectured before classes, the individuals of which, though not expecting to study medicine, were nevertheless required to learn the general principles of these sciences, the plan adopted here was most advantageously pursued.

Time will suggest further modifications and improvements, The author does not suppose this to be the best book that could have been prepared on elementary anatomy: thus far, it is the best that he can make.

Kesiding on a small island, in the outer harbor of Boston, a considerable part of the year, remote from society, the study of Natural History is a source of never tiring enjoyment. The following pages were written in a succession of otherwise unemployed evenings, — and should they prove a source of pleasure and utility to others, it will be a pleasant reflection that the hours were usefully appropriated.

J. V. C. Smith,

Quarantine Ground, ) Port of Boston. )