PREFATORY NOTE. 



THE features of the Handbook of the last edition have been retained 

 and extended. Considerable new material has been introduced with a 

 view to keeping pace with the rapid strides of progress of the subject. The 

 newer discoveries of Cannon on the acid control of the valves of the stomach 

 and of Rettger on blood clotting have been incorporated. The chapter 

 on the Chemical Composition of the Body has been entirely rewritten 

 and the chemical discussions throughout the volume have been carefully 

 revised. I am indebted to my colleagues Dean C. M. Jackson, for valuable 

 criticisms of the chapter on the Nervous System, and Dr. R. B. Gibson, for 

 the revision of the chemical discussions. 



CHAS. W. GREENE. 



COLUMBIA, Mo., June i, 1910. 



