PHYSIOLOGY 



THE increasing importance of the relation of man to the lower 

 animals, particularly in matters pertaining to health and 

 disease, and the importance of a knowledge of the functions 

 of the organs of the human bod}' - , led to the establishment of the De- 

 partment of Physiology in 1902. These were subjects which could not 

 readily be illustrated with known Museum methods of exhibition so 

 that a great deal of experimentation in methods of preparation was 

 necessary before the subject of physiology could be presented to the 

 public in an interesting and non-repellent way. 



The demand for exhibition space for the various departments of 

 the Museum has been so great that it has not been possible to assign 

 an exhibition hall to this department. Laboratory work, however, 

 has progressed very satisfactorily and the Museum's preparation of 

 anatomical material has been examined and approved by visiting 

 scientists. Specimens of the heart have been prepared in such a way 

 that the action of the ventricular valves is clearly shown. Another 

 model with a preserved specimen of lungs shows the action of the 

 diaphragm and its relation to the lungs in the usual process of respira- 

 tion. Another model in wax and glass demonstrates the function of 

 the kidney, while a large amount of material illustrating the com- 

 parative anatomy of man and the lower animals has been pre- 

 pared. 



The increasing attention that is being given to questions of sani- 

 tation and spread of contagious diseases by municipal, state, and 

 federal bodies, as well as by many philanthropic organizations, will 

 result in making a physiological exhibit an integral part of a modern 

 museum. 



[112] 



