PREFACE. V 



and "down," "front" and "back," will do away with 

 much confusion, especially since we are obliged to use the 

 structure of horizontal-bodied animals to illustrate human 

 anatomy. Many Latin terms, such as "vena cava" should 

 be replaced by English, as caval vein. Postcaval vein and 

 precaval vein are easier and better than " vena cava infe- 

 rior " and "vena cava superior." In many cases the 

 English plural may well replace the Greek or Latin form, 

 as ganglion, plural ganglions. Blood tube is better than 

 "bloodvessel." The best authorities say spinal bulb in- 

 stead of the long "medulla oblongata." Food tube is 

 simpler than " alimentary canal," especially as the tube is 

 not canal-like. The rib-bearing vertebras are thoracic, and 

 are no more "dorsal" than the other parts of the spinal 

 column. 



Effort has been made to lay stress on the more impor- 

 tant topics, and the skeleton is relegated to a subsidiary 

 place, as a knowledge of it has so little to do with practical 

 hygiene. The heart and the stomach receive full treat- 

 ment, while matters of such slight importance as the hair 

 and nails are briefly dismissed. 



The order of topics is the result of long experience. 

 For many years the author has sought to find the most 

 natural sequence of subjects, so that, as the work pro- 

 gressed, the pupil would find the way best prepared for 

 him. Without claiming that this is the best sequence, the 

 writer is sure that it is the " path of least resistance." 



The subject of Alcohol has been treated in full com- 



