2 VETERINARY LECTURES 



magnesium, lithium, manganese, sulphur, phosphorus, iron, chlorine, 

 silicon, and fluorine. These inorganic bodies, which vary very much 

 both in proportion and combination, are not in themselves alive, yet 

 by their subtle physico-chemical affinities, their atomic electro- 

 activity, or vital combination (vital force), all the gases, fluids, and 

 solids of the organic structures of the living body are produced. 



4. Cell. — A minute sac containing a fine network of granular 

 protoplasm. Cells vary in formation according to the structure in 

 which they are found. A simple cell, whether vegetable or animal, 

 seems to have an innate power of a vital character to reproduce, and 

 by the multiplication, when the surroundings are replete with every 

 necessary, tissues and the various organs of the body are formed, 

 and when all are in normal condition healthy functions are carried on. 



5. Microscope. — By the aid of this instrument the cells of the 

 various tissues are revealed and recognized, and they are almost 

 innumerable. Meinert estimated the grey matter of the brain alone to 

 contain no less than 600,000,000 cells ; and, again, each cell was 

 divided and subdivided into molecules and atoms respectively, while 

 between two and three hundreds of trillions of red and white cor- 

 puscles were found in the blood of the adult horse. The living body 

 is strangely and wonderfully made. 



' It is strange that a harp of a thousand strings should keep in tune so long.' 



6. Histology is a description of the minute structures of the 

 body, and is not the province of this work. Yet before we can under- 

 take the treatment of the various afflictions which domestic animals 

 are prone to, and which are studied under pathology, a knowledge of 

 anatomy and physiology is necessary. But this will be of a very brief 

 and practical character, the object being that, when describing the 

 different ailments, some little idea of the parts of the body alluded to 

 may have already been gained. 



7. Anatomy treats of the various portions and structures of the 

 body, and is both general and descriptive, comparative and morbid. 

 General or regional anatomy deals merely with the name and 

 situation of the different organs and parts of the body. Descriptive 



