GENERA L A NATOM Y 



29 



the one set and the irregularity of the other compare the 

 symmetry of the nerves and muscles of the animal life with 

 the asymmetrical disposition of the visceral muscles and the 

 sympathetic nerves, which belong to the organic life. 



Noteworthy differences exist between the two lives with 

 respect to the influence of habit. Everything in the animal 

 life is under the dominion of habit. Habit dulls sensation, 

 habit strengthens the judgment. In the organic life, on 

 the contrary, habit exercises no influence. The difference 

 comes out clearly in the development of the individual. 

 The organs of the organic life attain their full perfection 

 independently of use ; the organs of the animal life require 

 an education, and without education they do not reach 

 perfection (Joe. tit., p. 127). 



Bichat was the founder of what was known for a time as 

 General Anatomy the study of the constituent tissues of 

 the body in health and disease. His classification of tissues 

 was macroscopical and physiological ; he relied upon tex- 

 ture and function in distinguishing them rather than upon 

 microscopical structure, 

 follows : : 



The tissues he distinguished are as 



1. The cellular membrane. 



2. Nerves of animal life. 

 Nerves of organic life. 



3- 

 4- 



5- 

 6. 



Arteries. 



Veins. 



Exhalants. 



7. Absorbents and glands. 



8. Bones. 



9. Medulla. 



10. Cartilage. 



1 1. Fibrous tissue. 



IS- 

 1 6. 



12. Fibro-cartilage. 



13. Muscles of organic life. 



14. Muscles of animal life. 

 Mucous membrane. 

 Serous membrane. 



17. Synovial membrane. 



1 8. The Glands. 



19. The Dermis. 



20. Epidermis. 



21. Cutis. 



The "cellular membrane" seems to mean undifferentiated 

 connective tissue; "exhalants" are imperceptible tubes 

 arising from the capillaries and secreting fat, serum, marrow, 

 etc. ; the " absorbents and glands " are the lymphatics and 

 the lymphatic glands. 



In Bichat's eyes this resolution of the organism into 



1 Anatomic Gcncrale, Eng. trans., i., p. Hi. 



