- PREFACE. 



THIS volume represents the accumulated experience of a decade 

 in the presentation of experimental physiology to medical students. 



The scope of the book has naturally been determined by the needs 

 of medical students who are preparing for the practice of clinical 

 medicine and surgery. 



The preliminary lessons in Cytology are presented as a feature 

 of the volume. This introductory course has proven to be a most 

 valuable accompaniment to the beginning work in histology, as well 

 as a most substantial foundation to general physiology. 



The arrangement of the chapters has been determined by two 

 considerations: (1) the degree of difficulty of the technique, and 

 (2) the correlation of other work of the medical course. Cytology 

 the first chapter involves the simplest microscopic technique, 

 and the principles of cell life make the foundation of modern medi- 

 cine and surgery. Electro-physiology involves a technique not too 

 difficult for the earlier months of medical study, and, at the same 

 time, it forms a most valuable basis for the experimental work that 

 follows. 



The order of the chapters on Circulation, Respiration, Haema- 

 tology, and Digestion may easily be changed to suit the curriculum 

 of the institution where the course is given. 



The exercises have for years been furnished my students in the 

 form of type-written syllibi, undergoing almost annual revision. 

 They represent, therefore, a gradual evolution. 



At no time during this development of a practical course in 

 experimental physiology has the author lost sight of the fact that 

 his pupils were preparing for clinical practice. The experiments 



(v) 



