GENERAL VIEW OF THE HUMAN SYSTEM. 11 



CHAPTER II. 



GENERAL VIEW OF THE HUMAN SYSTEM. 



IT may not be improper in the commencement of this treatise to 

 give some observations on the human system in general, prepara- 

 tory to an examination more in detail of the various organs. 



THE BONES. 



Say what the various bones so wisely wrought, 

 How was their frame to such perfection brought ? 

 What did their figures for their uses fit, 

 Their number fix, and joints adapted knit ; 

 And made them all in that just order stand, 

 Which motion, strength, and ornament demand 7 

 What for the sinews spun so strong a thread, 

 The curious loom, to weave the muscles spread 7 



The Atheist, if to search for truth inclin'd, 

 May in himself his full conviction find, 

 And from his body teach his erring mind; 



The use of the bones is to give shape and firmness to the body, 

 levers for the muscles to act upon, and to defend those parts that 

 are of the greatest consequence to be preserved, as the brain, 

 heart, &c. 



Bones are cast into a variety of moulds and sizes, strong to bear 

 up the body, yet light, not to depress by their weight : bored, to 

 contain the moistening marrow ; and perforated with exceeding 

 fine ducts, to admit the nourishing vessels ; insensible themselves, 

 they are covered with the periosteum, a membrane that warns of 

 approaching injury, and preserves the muscles from being irritated 

 by their action. Their figures are most precisely fitted to their 

 uses ; they are generally larger at the extremities than in the mid- 

 dle, that they may be joined more firmly, and not so easily dis- 

 located ; and the manner of their articulation is particularly curious. 



The feet compose the firmest and neatest pedestal, far beyond 

 all that statuary or architecture can accomplish ; capable of alter- 

 ing its form, or extending its size, as circumstances require. They 

 contain a set of the nicest springs, which assist to place the body 



