TEXT-BOOK 



OF 



ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOE NUESES. 



CHAPTER T. 



INTRODUCTORY. — GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE BODY. — STRUCTU- 

 RAL ELEMENTS OF THE BODY. — THE CELL. 



Introductory. — In looking upon the fully developed human 

 body we are impressed with the complexity of its structure, the 

 perfection of its mechanism, the mysteriousness of its life. To 

 learn to understand something of this structure, this mechan- 

 ism, this life, is one of our most imperative duties as nurses; for 

 how can we appreciate the significance of abnormal functions, 

 and the seriousness of diseased conditions, unless we are ac- 

 quainted with the normal functions of the body, and have some 

 knowledge of healthy bodily conditions ? 



In the following pages we propose to give a description of 

 the structure, of the position, and of the special work or func- 

 tion of each part of the body. We have dwelt specially upon 

 the structure of the different parts, believing that any correct 

 understanding of the bodily functions must be preceded by a 

 certain amount of knowledge concerning the structure of the 

 organs performing these functions. 



Before taking up the subject in detail it is well, first of all, 

 to get a general idea of the main divisions, and the position of 

 the different parts, and we shall therefore begin our considera- 

 tion of the body with an outline of its structure. 



Generg,l outline of the body. — It is readily seen that the human 

 body is separable into trunk, head, and limbs ; the trunk and 

 head are cavities, and contain the internal organs or viscera, 



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