PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION 



THIS volume has been prepared with the view of presenting, 

 in as convenient form as possible, the essential facts of modern 

 physiology as related to the practice of medicine. In the exe- 

 cution of this purpose brevity has been made a prime considera- 

 tion; therefore, such details as are of secondary importance are 

 omitted, theories are avoided, and conclusions are recorded 

 without argument. There is no short road to knowledge, and 

 it would be unfortunate should such a book as this in any way 

 discourage extended research ; but students in college have none 

 too much time to devote to any one subject, and any simple col- 

 lection of pertinent facts, however brief, can, if reliable, be used 

 to great advantage. I have endeavored, however, to make the 

 work sufficiently exhaustive to be self-explanatory, believing 

 that otherwise economy of expression is practised at the expense 

 of the reader's interest. 



A maximum of space has been given to those subjects which 

 seem of most practical importance. The chemistry of the body, 

 the special senses and embryology have not been treated in 

 great detail. It has been thought undesirable to omit a brief 

 anatomical description of the separate organs discussed. 



In the preparation of this volume no claim to original inves- 

 tigation is made. The writings of various authorities have been 

 freely drawn upon. Especial acknowledgment is due to the 

 following authors: Ho well (American Text-book), Halliburton 

 (Kirkes' Handbook), Flint, Verworn and Stewart. 



I am under obligations to Dr. J. Clarence Johnson, whose 

 lectures have been of great value to me, and to Dr. Frank K. 

 Boland, who has written the whole of Chapter II., read the proof 

 sheets, and rendered other valuable assistance in connection 

 with the work. 



ATLANTA, GA. E. G. J. 



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