2 Life and Health 



darkness ? How does the minute structure of the ear 

 report to us with equal accuracy the thunder of the tem- 

 pest and the hum of the passing bee ? 



How can it be that the few articles of our daily food 

 milk, bread, meats, and the like build up our complex 

 bodies, and by what strange magic are they transformed 

 into skin, teeth, bones, muscles, and blood? 



These and hundreds of similar questions it is the province 

 $ physiology to answer. 



3. The Profound Lessons taught by Physiology. The 

 study of physiology is not only interesting and useful, but it 

 should teach us some profound lessons. Every intelligent 

 person should not only wish to acquire the knowledge how 

 best to protect and preserve his body, but should feel a cer- 

 tain respect for an organism so wonderful as his physical 

 frame. For our bodies are indeed not ourselves, but the 

 frames that contain us, the ships in which we, the real 

 selves, are borne over the sea of life. He must be indeed 

 a poor navigator who is not ever anxious so to direct his 

 ship that it may escape the rocks of disease and premature 

 decay, and that the voyage of his life may be long, pleasant, 

 and successful. 



Again, let us always keep in mind the thought that 

 in studying physiology we are tracing in our bodies the 

 myriad lines of marvelous skill and forethought as they 

 appear in the work of the Divine Builder. However 

 closely we study our bodily structure, we are, at best, but 

 imperfect observers of the handiwork of Him who made 

 us as we are. 



4, Some Salient Facts concerning our Bodies. Even a very 

 meager knowledge of the structure and action of our bodies 

 reveals certain salient facts which must hold the atten- 

 tion of every thoughtful student. Thus, our bodies move 



