PREFACE. 



THE principal object of this book is to supply to readers pre- 

 viously unacquainted with anatomical details as complete an 

 account as possible of the functions of the body. In doing 

 this, the author has kept constantly in view the desire of 

 the Publishers to supply the information required for the 

 Advanced Course of the Directory of the Science and Art 

 Department; and at the same time has sought to furnish 

 to the junior student of medicine a compendium of physi- 

 ology which may assist him in obtaining a clear idea of the 

 principles of the science, and prepare him for the perusal of 

 works of more elaborate character. 



Necessarily such a book is, to some extent, a compilation; 

 but it is hoped that, in grouping of facts, and in directing 

 the reader's mind to just conceptions and conclusions, this 

 manual may be found to be something more than a mere 

 collection of details. 



With a few exceptions, the Illustrations have been engraved 

 from pencil sketches, the majority of them original, and others 

 taken from sources which are acknowledged; and the author 

 takes this opportunity of thanking the Engraver, Mr. STEPHEN 

 MILLER, of Glasgow, for the care which he has bestowed on 

 them, 



J. C. 

 GALWAY, Oct., 1873. 



. J 



