INTRODUCTION. 



THE Human Body is the abode of an immortal spirit, 

 and is the most complete and perfect specimen of the 

 Creator's handiwork. To examine its structure, to ascer- 

 tain the uses and modes of action of its various parts, 

 how to protect it from injury, and maintain it in a 

 healthy condition, is the design of this work. 



The departments of knowledge which are concerned 

 in these investigations, are the science of Human Physi- 

 ology and the art of Hygiene. 



PHYSIOLOGY treats of the vital actions and uses of the 

 various parts of living bodies, whether vegetable or ani- 

 mal. Every living thing, therefore, has a Physiology. 

 We have a Vegetable Physiology, which relates to plants ; 

 and an Animal Physiology, relating to the animal king- 

 dom. The latter is also divided into Comparative Physiol- 

 ogy, which treats of the inferior races of animals, and 

 Human Physiology, which teaches the uses of the various 

 parts of the human body. 



HYGIENE, or the art of preserving health, is- the practi- 

 cal use of Physiology. It teaches us how to cultivate our 

 bodily and mental powers, so as to increase our strength 

 and to fit us for a higher enjoyment of life. It also shows 

 us how to prevent some of the accidents which may befall 

 the body, and to avoid disease. It is proper that we should 



