PREFACE TO THE FIFTH EDITION. 



The necessity for a fifth edition of this volume, in less than one year after 

 fhe P-, blication of the first impression, is strongly indicative of the estimate 

 set upon the work by the public. The high praise which has been bestowed 

 upon it, by those whose opinions are most valuable, and the favor it has 

 met in various parts of the United States, have induced the publisher?, (at 

 considerable expense) to add engravings in the body of the book, illustra- 

 te e of the text, which has been carefully revised. 



Though designed as a book for schools and colleges, it will be found well 

 adapted for the general reader ; and students of medicine will find it of use, 

 especially in the early part of their professional studies. 



With the view of assisting the reader in understanding and remember- 

 ing the words used in a technical sense, their etymologies have been added 

 in the glossary. Many of these words are derived from the Greek ; and, in 

 as much as all persons who are in pursuit of knowledge, are not acquainted 

 with that language, the words from it have been printed in italics, in prefe- 

 *ence to using the proper Greek characters ; and the omega, where it occurs 

 has been designated thus, (6). 



I wish those teachers, (who honor me by using this, or any other one of 

 my series of First-Books), to clearly understand, it is not my design that 

 the questions at the foot of the page shall be answered by repeating the 

 text from memory ; the pupil should be able to give the facts in his own 

 language, and show he comprehends the subject : I wish my readers to 

 obtain knowledge, definite ideas of the subjects treated, and not to acquire 

 merely the words that are descriptive of them. 



It is hoped that nothing is now wanting to render this little work a clear 

 concise, and axiomatic account of PHYSIOLOGY and ANIMAL MECHANISM, and 

 that it will sustain the favorable opinions which have been kindly expressed 

 of it W. S. W. R. 



Philadelphia, May 15, 1842. 



We regard the introduction of this work, into our public schools, among 

 the highest compliments it has received, for we feel sure that the gentlemen 

 who constitute the Committee for selecting books, possess too much discern- 

 ment and general knowledge, to pass" favorably upon works of inferior pre- 

 tensions. The following gentlemen composed the Committee for selecting 

 books for the use of Public Schools. 



GEORGE M. WHARTON, ESQ. 



THOMAS H. FORSYTH, Esa. 



GEORGE EMLEN, JR., Esa. 



FRANCIS LYONS, ESQ. 



JOHN C. SMITH, ESQ. 



