Principles of general and comparative physiology : intended as an introduction to the study of human physiology : and as a guide to the philosophical pursuit of natural history

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Carpenter, William Benjamin, 1813-1885, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Physiology, Comparative.

Plant physiology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xii, 478 pages) : illustrations

1 online resource

Other Title:

Principles of general and comparative physiology

Principles of general and comparative physiology intended as an introduction to the study of human physiology

Place of Publication:

London John Churchill 1839

Summary:

It is now generally acknowledged that Physiology can only be properly studied by a constant reference to the comparative structure and functions of many different classes of Animals; and in most of the recent works on this Science, an outline of the development and actions of each system in the inferior tribes is prefixed to the details relating to its condition in man. This outline is filled up in the present volume, not only by amplifying the portion of it which relates to the Animal Kingdom, but also by the introduction of a similar view of the comparative structure and functions of Vegetables, which is here shown to be governed by the same laws. It is this which constitutes the peculiar feature of the work; as the author believes it to be the first attempt, in this country at least, to form anything like a systematic Comparative Physiology of Vegetables. Although his work is especially intended as an Introduction to the study of Human Physiology for the use of the Medical Student, the author has kept in view the wants of the General Reader, to whom he hopes to make intelligible some of the highest doctrines in this most interesting science. For this purpose he has given explanations of most of the scientific terms employed, in the situations where they could be most appropriately introduced; and reference to them is facilitated by the copiousness of the Index, which thus serves the purpose of a Glossary. He has also expressed himself in general terms in some instances where more detail might otherwise have been admitted; but he trusts that he has, by this means, avoided all chance of offending the true delicacy even of the female reader.

Contents:

On the nature and causes of vital actions

Of vital stimuli

On the laws of organic development

General view of the functions of animated beings, and their mutual relations

Ingestion and absorption of aliment

Circulation of nutritive fluid

On interstitial absorption

Nutrition and formation of tissues

Respiration

Exhalation of aqueous vapour

Secretion

Evolution of light, heat, and electricity

Reproduction of organised beings

Subordinate laws regulating the exercise of the reproductive function-Distinction of species-Propagation of spontaneous or acquired peculiarities

Sensible motions of living beings

Functions of the nervous system

On the evidences of design presented by the structure of organised beings.

Notes:

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