CHAPTER X 

 THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 



284. All Parts of the Body work together in Harmony. 

 In the preceding chapters, we have learned that each organ 

 not only looks after itself, but is ever ready to come to the 

 help of other parts of the body. Everywhere we find organs 

 working together for each other's good. Strike suddenly at 

 the eye, and the lids fall to protect it. Tickle the foot, and 

 the muscles of the leg contract and pull it away. When the 

 skin is inactive, the kidneys come to its help. 



Fifty skilled mechanics might do their best at building 

 a vessel or a house, but if each man worked as he pleased, 

 and took no heed of the rest, the result of their work would 

 be of little account. The master builder must be at his 

 post, skillful to direct and quick to act. So it is with our 

 bodies. The wonderful agency which governs every organ 

 of the body is the nervous system. 



285. The Nervous System compared to a Telegraphic 

 System. The nervous system may be aptly compared to 

 a complete telegraphic system. The brain and the spinal 

 cord are the main offices; and the nerves, branching off 

 to all parts of the body, are the telegraph wires. The 

 brain and the spinal cord together are called the cerebro- 

 spinal center. Dispatches are constantly being sent to the 

 cerebro-spinal center to inform it of what is going on in 

 various parts of the body. The cerebro-spinal center, on 



