physiology, must ever be held, and in which, al- 

 though much has already been brought to light, by 

 the patient industry of the philosopher, much, I am 

 persuaded, still remains to be investigated. 



For the deficiencies of the present work I should 

 wish next to say something, by way of apology, as 

 I am conscious to myself how very greatly it stands 

 in need of it. The fact is, it was undertaken at 

 the desire of numerous friends, who approved of 

 my system, which I have ventured to call the 

 PRESERVATIVE, lu ordcr to serve as a manual for 

 their own practice. Accordingly, about eighteen 

 months since, the first section was written and 

 printed, in order to convince myself, as well as 

 others, that I was in earnest in undertaking the 

 task ; but it was soon after interrupted, and in the 

 end thrown aside, for other avocations. Within 

 these few months, the work was more seriously 

 resumed. Each section was thrown oflf as soon 

 as it was composed; and the consequence was, 

 that some omissions, which appeared prominent, 

 were to be supplied in the Notes, while others 

 were found too extensive to be in any way sup- 

 plied. As notes are not the most popular medium 

 through which information can be communicated, 



