INTRODUCTION. 39 



The 19th century is no less remarkable for its onward 

 march and progressive improvement in Anatomy. Every 

 nation seems to be vying with every other in that most 

 honorable and useful of all species of rivalries, a more com- 

 plete yea, the most perfect knowledge of the structure of 

 the body possible with the view of more fully preserving 

 health and prolonging life ; and the kind of Anatomical dis- 

 covery and improvement which characterizes the present 

 period, may be designated by the term Microscopic Anatomy. 

 In this department figure the names of Schwann, Muller, 

 Andral, Magendie, Carpenter, Nasmyth, Goodsir and in 

 our own country, the names of Wistar, Godman, Homer and 

 Leidy, may be mentioned the two former being more par- 

 ticularly distinguished for their observations in the ordi- 

 nary mode of dissections, while the latter have directed 

 special attention to microscopic Anatomy. Numerous oth- 

 ers equally eminent and indefatigable in our own and 

 every other country, might be mentioned, who are now un- 

 ceasingly engaged both in microscopic, and all other species 

 of Anatomical analysis and research, which can by any pos- 

 sibility shed a more perfect light and thorough knowledge 

 upon the wonderful minuteness, complexity, and harmony 

 in the structure of the human frame. 



Every portion of the body, whether solid or fluid, is being 

 subjected to the magnifying power of the microscope, and 

 the most interesting discoveries are being made in each. 

 The various fluids, comprising the blood, chyme, chyle, and 

 the different secretions and excretions, have all been subjected 

 to this mode of examination, and the globules whose shape 

 and appearance, with other characteristic properties of the 

 fluids, were hitherto doubtful and disputed, are now settled 

 with precision and accuracy. 



The cell of Schwann, and epithelia, which are likewise 

 found to be cells, are now known after this method, to exist 

 upon all free membranes, mucous and serous, as well as 

 cuticular. 



All these details of modern discoveries are, however, 



