1815.) Anatonuj, Physiology, and Pathology. 285 - 
be replied are the sensations to the brain; and if it be argued that 
from the brain volitions are propagated externally, so must it be 
rejoined are secretions from the circulating system. 
"Thus the first error of this method is to bring under one head, 
organs and functions which are totally distinct. The second is to 
separate others which are altogether similar. or while Richerand 
places in one class the organs and functions mentioned above, he 
places those of generation in another. Now from those which I 
have above termed vital, these do not differ either in their intimate 
nature or in their general object. The vital organs are all /ulwlar, 
and the action of all is the éansmission and transmutation of liquids: 
the generative organs are all also ¢ubular, and all of them also are 
employed in similar transmission or transmutation. The general 
object of the vital actions is the maintenance of life ; that of the 
generative is its propagation : in this only do they differ. ‘They may 
therefore be different orders of the same class: they cannot form 
different classes. 
Such, as its inspection will testify, are the great and general errors 
of the system of Richerand. Less important ones are numerous. 
=a 
~ -I consider the system of Bichat after that of Richerand, because, 
though it may have had the precedence in publication, and the 
merit or demerit of that peculiarity which is common to both, yet, 
being more detailed and minute, it involves a greater number of 
errors, and is moreover connected with a doctrine respecting certain 
simple organic textures, which demands particular consideration. 
First, I may remark, that all the great and general errors—the 
involving in one class the intellectua) and locomotive functions, and 
the forming a separate: class of the generative ones, committed by 
Richerand,—are likewise committed by Bichat, by whom the in- 
ternal or assimilating functions of Richerand, &c. are termed 
organic. 
While such great and general errors as these pervade the system 
of Bichat, I need scarcely mention that he improperly places ab- 
sorption after circulation ; nor need I dwell on minuter considera- 
tions. 
As to his simple organic textures, he has chiefly derived them 
from Malacarne, who seems first to have set the example of this 
ridiculous method which, by distributing the body into common 
systems, general systems, universal systems, and partial systems ; 
and by dividing and subdividing these with a profusion which sets at 
utter defiance the most felicitous memory, has, instead of simplify- 
ing, inextricably embarrassed, the study of anatomy. ‘This writer, 
Bichat has been ambitious to rival in his Anatomie Générale, where 
the mania of subdivision, guided by the most superficial reflection, 
and urged with the most impertinent verbiage, has made as many 
systems in the body as there are organs, 
Not even contented with one system for a set of organs, he makes 
