Chapter I: Preface: o

This work is designed to present the leading facts and principles of human Physiology and Hygiene in clear and concise language, so that pupils in schools and colleges, and readers not familiar with the subjects, may readily comprehend them. Anatomy, or a description of the structure of an organ, is of course necessary to the understanding of its Physiology, or its uses. Enough of the former study has, therefore, been introduced, to enable the pupil to enter intelligently upon the latter.

Familiar language, as far as practicable, has been employed, rather than that of a technical character. With a view, however, to supply what might seem to some a deficiency in this regard, a Pronouncing Glossary has been added, which will enable the inquirer to understand the meaning of many scientific terms not in common use.

In the preparation of the work the writer has carefully examined all the best material at his command, and freely used it; the special object being to have it abreast of the present knowledge on the subjects treated, as far as such is possible in a work so elementary as this. The discussion of disputed points has been avoided, it being manifestly inappropriate in a work of this kind.

Instruction in the rudiments of Physiology in schools does not necessitate the general practice of dissections, or of experiments upon animals. The most important subjects may be illustrated by {4} drawings, such as are contained in this work. Models, especially those constructed by AUZOUX of Paris, dried preparations of the human body, and the organs of the lower animals, may also be used with advantage.

The writer desires to acknowledge his indebtedness to R. M. WYCKOFF, M.D., for valuable aid in the preparation of the manuscript for the press; and to R. CRESSON STILES, M.D., a skilful microscopist and physician, for the chapter "On the Use of the Microscope in the Study of Physiology." Mr. AVON C. BURNHAM, the well-known teacher of gymnastics, furnished the drawing of the parlor gymnasium and the directions for its use.

_Brooklyn, N. Y., 1870._

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CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

PAGE

THE FRAMEWORK OF THE BODY 15

_The Bones--Their form and composition--The Properties of Bone--The
Skeleton--The Joints--The Spinal Column--The Growth of Bone--The
Repair of Bone._

CHAPTER II.

THE MUSCLES 25

_The Muscles--Flexion and Extension--The Tendons--Contraction--Physical
Strength--Necessity for Exercise--Its Effects--Forms of
Exercise--Walking--Riding--Gymnastics--Open-air Exercise--Sleep--
Recreation._

CHAPTER III.

THE INTEGUMENT, OR SKIN 41

_The Integument--Its Structure--The Nails and Hair--The Complexion--The
Sebaceous Glands--The Perspiratory Glands--Perspiration
and its uses--Importance of Bathing--Different kinds of Baths--Manner
of Bathing--The Benefits of the Sun--Importance of
Warm Clothing--Poisonous Cosmetics._

CHAPTER IV.

THE CHEMISTRY OF FOOD 53

_The Source of Food--Inorganic Substances--Water--Salt--Lime--Iron--
Organic Substances--Albumen, Fibrin, and Casein--The Fats or
Oils--The Sugars, Starch, and Gum--Stimulating Substances--Necessity
of a Regulated Diet._

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CHAPTER V.

FOOD AND DRINK 64

_Necessity for Food--Waste and Repair--Hunger and Thirst--Amount
of Food--Renovation of the Body--Mixed Diet--Milk--Eggs--Meat--Cooking
--Vegetable Food--Bread--The Potato--Fruits--Purity
of Water--Action of Water upon Lead--Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate--Effects
of Alcohol._

CHAPTER VI.

DIGESTION 80

_The Principal Processes of Nutrition--The General Plan of Digestion--
Mastication--The Teeth--Preservation of the Teeth--Insalivation--The
Stomach and the Gastric Juice--The Movements of the
Stomach--Gastric Digestion--The Intestines--The Bile and Pancreatic
Juice--Intestinal Digestion--Absorption by means of Blood-vessels
and Lacteals--The Lymphatic or Absorbent System--The
Lymph--Conditions which affect Digestion--The Quality, Quantity,
and Temperature of the Food--The Influence of Exercise and
Sleep._

CHAPTER VII.

THE CIRCULATION 101

_The Blood--Its Plasma and Corpuscles--Coagulation of the Blood--The
Uses of the Blood--Transfusion--Change of Color--The Organs of
the Circulation--The Heart, Arteries, and Veins--The Cavities
and Valves of the Heart--Its Vital Energy--Passage of the Blood
through the Heart--The Frequency and Activity of its Movements--The
Pulse--The Sphygmograph--The Capillary Blood-vessels--The
Rate of the Circulation--Assimilation--Injuries to the Blood-vessels._

CHAPTER VIII.

RESPIRATION 123

_The Objects of Respiration--The Lungs--The Air-Passages--The Movements
of Respiration--Expiration and Inspiration--The Frequency
of Respiration--Capacity of the Lungs--The Air we Breathe--Changes
in the Air from Respiration--Changes in the Blood--Interchange
of Gases in the Lungs--Comparison between Arterial and
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Venous Blood--Respiratory Labor--Impurities of the Air--Dust--Carbonic
Acid--Effects of Impure Air--Nature's Provision for
Purifying the Air--Ventilation--Animal Heat_.

CHAPTER IX.

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 148

_Animal and Vegetative Functions--Sensation, Motion, and Volition--The
Structure of the Nervous System--The White and Gray Substances--The
Brain--Its Convolutions--Cerebellum--The Spinal
Cord and its System of Nerves--The Anterior and Posterior
Roots--The Sympathetic System of Nerves--The Properties of Nervous
Tissue--Excitability of Nervous Tissues--The Functions of the
Spinal Nerves and Cord--The Direction of the Fibres of the Cord--Reflex
Activity and its Uses--The Functions of the Medulla Oblongata
and the Cranial Ganglia--The Reflex Action of the Brain._

CHAPTER X.

THE SPECIAL SENSES 177

_The Production of Sensations--Variety of Sensations--General
Sensibility--Pain
and its Function--Special Sensation, Touch, Taste,
Smell, Sight, and Hearing--The Hand, the Organ of Touch--The
Sense of Touch--Delicacy of Touch--Sensation of Temperature and
Weight--The Tongue the Organ of Taste--The Nerves of Taste--The
Sense of Taste, and its Relations with the other Senses--The
Influence of Education on the Taste--The Nasal Cavities, or the
Organs of Smell--The Olfactory Nerve--The Uses of the Sense of
Smell--The Sense of Sight--Light--The Optic Nerve--The
Eyeball and its Coverings--The Function of the Iris--The
Sclerotic, Choroid, and Retina--The Tears and their Function--The
Movements of the Eyeball--The Function of Accommodation--The
Sense of Hearing and Sound--The Ear, or
the organ of Hearing--The External, Middle, and Internal Ear._

CHAPTER XI.

THE VOICE 227

_Voice and Speech--The Larynx, or the Organ of the Voice--The Vocal
Cords--The Laryngoscope--The Production of the Voice--The Use
of the Tongue--The different Varieties of Voice--The Change of
Voice--Its Compass--Purity of Tone--Ventriloquy._

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CHAPTER XII.

THE USE OF THE MICROSCOPE IN THE STUDY OF
PHYSIOLOGY 236

_The Law of Tissues--Necessity of the Microscope--Different kinds of
Microscopes--Additional Apparatus--Preliminary Studies--The
Study of Human Tissues--Tissues of the Inferior Animals--Incentives
to Study._