PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION 



THIS volume has been prepared with the view of present- 

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

 modern physiology as related to the practice of medicine. In 

 the execution of this purpose brevity has been made a prime 

 consideration; 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 stu- 

 dents in college have none too much time to devote to any one 

 subject, and any simple collection of pertinent facts, however 

 brief, can, if reliable, be used to great advantage. I have en- 

 deavored, 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 in- 

 vestigation is made. The writings of various authorities 

 have been freely drawn upon. Especial acknowledgment 

 is due to the following authors: Howell (American Text- 

 book), Halliburton (Kirkes 5 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 con- 

 nection with the work. E. G. J. 



ATLANTA, GA. 



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