viii \ PREFACE 



unacquainted with physiology might do well on a first perusal to omit 

 Book I., dealing with the general concepts of the science. 



I have deemed it a hopeless and indeed a useless task to give any full 

 account of the multifarious methods employed in the experimental investi- 

 gation of the different organs of the body. In most cases I have consigned 

 to small type a description of one or two typical methods, which would 

 suffice to show how the questions may be approached from the experimental 

 side. 



Throughout the work I have sought to show that the only foundation 

 for rational therapeutics is the proper understanding of the working of the 

 healthy body. Until we know more about the physiology of nutrition, 

 quacks will thrive and food faddists abound. Ignorance of physiology 

 tends to make a medical man as credulous as his patients and almost as 

 easily beguiled by the specious puffings of the advertising druggist. I trust 

 therefore that the following pages will be found of value not only to the 

 candidate for a university degree but also to the practitioner of medicine in 

 equipping him for his struggle against the factors of disease. 



In the selection of diagrams for the illustration of this book I am especially 

 indebted to Professor Schafer and to his publishers, Messrs. Longmans, 

 for the permission to make use of a large number from Quain's Anatomy 

 and from Schafer's Essentials of Histology. I must also express my obli- 

 gation to Professor "Wilson for the use of certain figures from his admirable 

 work on the cell, to the publishers of Cunningham's Anatomy, and to many 

 physiological friends, especially to Dr. Mott and Dr. Gordon Holmes, for 

 the use of original diagrams. The index was kindly made for me by Mr. 

 Lovatt Evans. 



ERNEST H. STARLING. 

 University College, London, 



May 1912. 



