COMPEND 



OF 



HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY. 



Physiology, from fyvci-, nature, and Attyof , a discourse, in its original 

 application embraced the study of all natural objects, inorganic as well as 

 organic. In its modern application physiology signifies tJie study of life ; 

 the investigation of the vital phenomena exhibited by all organic bodies, 

 vegetable and animal. 



It may be divided into 



1. Vegetable physiology, which treats of the phenomena manifested by 

 the several structures of which the plant is composed. 



2. Animal physiology ', which treats of the phenomena manifested by the 

 organs and tissues of which the animal body is composed. 



Human Physiology is the study of the functions exhibited by the 

 human body in a state of health. 



PL function is the action of an organ or tissue. 



The Functions of the Human Body may be classified into three 

 groups, viz.: 



1. Nutritive functions, which have for their object the preservation of 

 the individual ; e. g., digestion, absorption, circulation of the blood, 

 respiration, assimilation, animal heat, secretion and excretion. 



2. Animal functions, which bring the individual into conscious relation- 

 ship with external nature; e. g., sensation, motion, language, mental 

 and moral manifestations. 



3. Reproductive function, which has for its object the preservation of 

 the species. 



The facts of human physiology have been determined by means of 

 anatomy, chemistry, pathology, comparative anatomy, vivisection, the 

 application of physics, etc. 



The body may be studied from a chemical and structural point of view. 

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