INTRODUCTION. xiii 



damental medical knowledoe, — pathology, or the doctrine of dis- 

 ease. Anatomy prepares the mind for, while it excites it to, the 

 study of physiology ; a science no less admired for the sublimity 

 of its dogmas, than ardently pursued for its fruitful and valuable 

 products. To conclude, let us once more repeat, that anatomy 

 forms the groundwork of physiology ; and that he who possesses 

 a knowledge of both sciences combined, holds in his hand the 

 key to all rational practice, as well in medicine as in surgery, 

 be it human or be it veterinary. 



The science of anatomy admits of division into general, and 

 particular or descriptive anatomy. 



General Anatomy treats of the several elementary parts or 

 simple tissues into which the organs or complicated parts of the 

 body are resolvable : developing their different properties — me- 

 chanical, chemical, and vital ; and at the same time exposing their 

 various modes of association, by which is constituted organization ; 

 the phrase ''organization"" being used by anatomists to imply 

 perfection or adaptation of structure to its end, design, or function. 



Particular or Descriptive Anatomy views parts and 

 organs, entire — as we find them : taking cognizance of theybrm 

 and structure oi each ; and noting its relations, such as situation, 

 direction, position, dimensions, connexion, &c. In fact, it is 

 the object of the work before us. 



Anatomy may also be said to be particular when its inquiries 

 become confined to any one individual species of animals; in 

 which sense many subdivisions may be made of it, though they 

 all become conveniently reduced to three, viz., human, veterinary, 

 and comparative anatomy/. 



Human Anatomy restricts its investigations to the human 

 species. 



Veterinary Anatomy, though perhaps strictly applica- 

 ble (in accordance with its derivation) to beasts of burthen, is, 

 at the present day, understood to comprehend all domesticated 

 animals ; or, at least, such of them as come more immediately 

 into our domestic service. 



Comparative Anatomy extends its view over the whole 

 animal creation, but derives its name from a reciprocal compari- 

 son of them, or from a comparison of them individually with man 



