Pref; 



ace 



THE present volume is based upon a small book, entitled Directions 

 for Class Work in Practical Physiology, which was published in 

 1901, and consisted chiefly of an account of the methods employed 

 in the study of muscle and nerve physiology and of the heart, in so 

 far as these could be illustrated in preparations from the frog. To 

 that account have now been added descriptions of such other methods 

 of Experimental Physiology as may be performed by the student 

 either in class or individually, although a few which are given can 

 at least in this country only take the form of demonstrations. 

 The additions deal chiefly with the heart and vascular system, 

 respiration, secretion, the central nervous system, and the sense 

 organs ; but considerable changes have also been introduced in 

 the description of the methods of studying the physiology of muscle 

 and nerve, and not only have a large number of new illustrations for 

 the most part in the form of diagrams been added, but all the original 

 figures have been redrawn, so that the work has taken the character 

 of a new book, which it has been thought proper to furnish with 

 another name. 



The descriptions of the methods employed are founded upon twelve 

 years' experience in conducting the classes of Practical Physiology 

 in the University of Edinburgh. These classes are of two kinds, 

 elementary and advanced, and some of the methods described are 

 intended only for advanced students. But no attempt has been made 

 in the work to discriminate between the experiments which are ex- 

 pected to be performed by the one or the other grade. Such selection 

 can be best made by the teacher of the subject, and would be 

 regulated by the requirements of the students and the nature of the 

 examinations for which they are preparing. 



UNIVERSITY, EDINBURGH, 

 September 1912. 



