OBJECT IN VIEW. 29 



as it can be easily understood. There are some per- 

 sons, indeed, who prefer being simply told what 

 they are to do, and are more manageable when dic- 

 tated to than reasoned with ; and there are also 

 many things in practice for which it would be 

 puzzling to assign a valid reason, but, generally 

 speaking, those whose reason is enlightened will 

 be found to co-operate more effectually in the mea- 

 sures required for their recovery than those who 

 are left in the dark. 



In acute diseases, of course, explanation of any 

 kind is often precluded. Here the professional man 

 must act, and act with decision. But the great 

 majority of ailments are of a chronic character, in 

 the cure of which the steady co-operation of the 

 patient is almost indispensable. And even when 

 the malady is acute, a patient will submit to severe 

 measures much more readily when ordered by an 

 adviser who has been in the habit of addressing his 

 reason when opportunity occurred, than when pre- 

 scribed by one who has adopted an opposite course. 



My object, accordingly, in submitting the follow- 

 ing pages to the public, is not to supersede the 

 physician, by making " every man his own doctor," 

 or by recommending the general perusal of profes- 

 sional treatises, for both practices induce many 

 more ailments than they cure ; but simply to assist 

 in diffusing such a general acquaintance with the 

 structure and functions of the human body, as will 

 enable individuals to adopt the best means for de- 

 veloping their mental and bodily powers ; to pro- 

 tect themselves from the more common causes of 

 disease, and to co-operate with effect in the re- 

 covery of themselves or their friends when sick. 

 In endeavouring partially to fulfil this object, I 

 have the general reader alone in view, and do not 

 pretend to offer any thing new to the profession, for 

 the subjects treated of mus-t be familiar to every 

 practitioner. At the same time, I am not without 

 C2 



