PREFATORY NOTE TO THE ENGLISH 

 TiUNSLATION 



The first comprehensive treatment of general physiology was 

 contained in Claude Bernard's now classic Lemons sur les pMnom&nes 

 de la me communs aux animaux et aiix vfyetaux, which was pub- 

 lished in 1878-79. Since that time the only adequate work upon 

 the subject has been Professor Verworn's Allgemeine Physiologic. 

 The first edition of this book appeared in 1894. This was followed 

 in 1897 by a second and revised edition. The work has been 

 welcomed by European and American biologists, who have 

 felt the need of a review and summary of the rapidly accumulating 

 details of cell-physiology, and its ability and suggestiveness have 

 been widely recognised. Many of the special views of the author 

 have encountered opposition a fact that perhaps is indicative of 

 their value yet, however much we may agree or disagree with him 

 upon special points, we all must acknowledge his breadth and be 

 grateful to him for presenting such a wealth of facts, and for 

 pointing out so clearly the possibilities of research. With Pro- 

 fessor Verworn's consent I have undertaken the task of trans- 

 lating and editing the book ; first, with the hope that in its 

 English form it may enable English-speaking biologists and 

 general scientific readers to realize more fully than before the wide 

 scope of the science of Physiology ; and, secondly, because the book 

 presents in a form convenient for the use of students suggestive and 

 stimulating discussions of vital physiological questions. 



FREDERIC S. LEE. 



COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK, 

 March 1, 1898. 



