PREFACE 



THE study of physiology in schools often counts 

 very little toward building stronger and better bodies. 

 Pupils memorize difficult technical terms, learn de- 

 scriptions of processes, and study statements of 

 hygienic facts, but passing examinations and complet- 

 ing the study are too often the chief results. 



The following quotations were taken at random 

 from one of the best physiology text-books in com- 

 mon use : " The amoeba is a protozoan often found in 

 slime at the bottom of stagnant water." " The 

 twelve rib-supporting vertebrae are called the thoracic 

 vertebrae." " Glycogen is found in the liver." " When 

 oxygen is united with hemoglobin, it forms oxyhemo- 

 globin." " Vaso-constrictor nerves have their origin 

 in the spinal bulb." " The opening of the left upper 

 chamber of the heart is called the left auriculo-ven- 

 tricular orifice." " The building up or constructive 

 processes are included under anabolism, while ka- 

 tabolism designates the tearing down, or destructive 

 processes." 



It may be that the difficulty in learning these and 

 numerous other technical terms prevents the excellent 

 facts of hygiene, also included, from making the 

 impression that they should. It is also quite possi- 



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