32 



SCIENCE. 



[N. S. Vol. IV. No. 80. 



as if nothing had occurred. The experi- 

 ment will also illustrate in a striking man- 

 ner the effect of anaesthetics on all living 

 beings. A very far-reaching lesson may be 

 given by having each pupil perform some 

 of the simpler experiments showing the il- 

 lusions of the senses ; these are so graphic 

 that the dullest cannot fail to appreciate 

 the fact that the only safe way is to look on 

 all sides, to verify appearances by applying 

 as many tests as possible — in short, to ap- 

 preciate the scientifie method which is so 

 tersely expressed in the words of Scripture, 

 " Prove all things ; hold fast that which is 

 good." 



So far nothing has been said about anat- 

 omy. What place shall it have in a course 

 upon Physiology? Undoubtedly it is a 

 very great help in the study of function to 

 have a good knowledge of the structures 

 performing the various functions; but it 

 seems to me that in many books, and in 

 some courses in physiology, anatomy is so 

 preponderant that the physiology is too 

 much lost sight of — that is, the mechanism 

 is exalted above its achievements. Only 

 the grossest functions of the organs, like 

 the supportive action of the bones, can be 

 deduced from the anatomy alone ; yet it is 

 certainly the fact that, after the physiology 

 has been once determined by experiments 

 upon living beings, one can often see how 

 admirably the structure of an organ is cor- 

 related with the performance of its func- 

 tion. For example, the small intestine 

 with its millions of villi projecting like so 

 many rootlets into the digested food seems 

 from its very structure destined for ab- 

 sorption. 



On the other hand, if one studied never so 

 profoundly the structure of the salivary 

 glands and the pancreas he would never 

 know that they produce digestive liquids 

 without experiment, and much less would 

 he know that the one is so limited in 

 its power (saliva) and the other so un- 



limited and powerful as a digester. So I 

 think the microscopic structure or histology 

 is liable to be made too much of in elemen- 

 tary books and teaching. But, for a few 

 points, the microscope is truly a revealer ; 

 6. g., the mystery of the current by which 

 the air passages are swept clean of dust and 

 other particles is simplified by microscopic 

 observation which shows the tireless multi- 

 tude of cilia with their ceaseless waving. 

 The fact is tot to be forgotton, however, 

 that even in this case only the minute 

 agents and their method of work have been 

 found. Wiy they work is as great a mys- 

 tery as ever. So also in the study of the 

 circulation of the blood under the micro- 

 scope one can see how closely every living 

 element is surrounded by the blood capil- 

 laries, and how ceaselessly the blood cor- 

 puscles and the plasma move along, to be 

 followed by a never-ending fresh supply. 



The purpose of this paper has not been 

 unduly to criticise, but to throw out what 

 I hope will prove to be a few helpful sug- 

 gestions. That the efforts of the teachers 

 of this State are earnest and devoted is 

 thoroughly believed. That the pupils they 

 instruct are not all acquainted with suffi- 

 cient anatomy and the fundamental prin- 

 ciples of physiology is also known by the 

 examinations for entrance in the University 

 in which I have the honor to teach. From 

 carefully compiled statistics obtained dur- 

 ing the last few years it is found, however, 

 that the pupils who have studied physiology 

 something in the way indicated above have 

 been far more successful than those who 

 have merely studied the books.* 



* Facts concerning entrance examinations in pliysi- 

 ology at Cornel] University : The great majority of 

 students enter in physiology with the other studies, 

 from Eegents' diplomas or from graduation at ac- 

 credited schools. 



From the reports of the President and Dean it was 

 seen that about one in sixteen so entering could not re- 

 main in the University on account of defective schol- 

 arship, while of those taking entrance examinations 



