Human Physiology: An Elementary Text-Book of Anatomy, Physiology, and Hygiene

Excerpt from Human Physiology: An Elementary Text-Book of Anatomy, Physiology, and HygieneFrom a considerable experience with both very elementary and more advanced classes, the author has been led to certain con elusions in regard to the teaching of elementary physiology and hygiene. It is not proposed to enter here into a discussion of the correctness of these conclusions, but a brief statement of a few principles that seem fundamental may perhaps be allowable.The chief object of teaching physiology in the public schools is to train the pupils to keep their bodies in health. The mere teaching of anatomy and physiology will not accomplish this, for the pupil cannot master the structure and workings of the body in a way that will enable him to frame the laws of health and apply them. Neither can the desired end be reached by teach ing rules of health without an anatomical and physiological basis; for without such a basis, hygiene is an intangible and an elusive subject. The author has therefore concluded that a conservative middle course is wiser than either of the extremes of method mentioned above. An elementary text in physiology should be a balanced text, containing sufficient anatomy to make clear the broader outlines of the structure of the human body, enough physiology to make plain the great laws according to which the body lives, and a full discussion of how a violation of these laws may be avoided.For the introduction of certain new matter, as, for example, the cell idea, the work of enzymes, and matter relating to germ diseases, there is little need for explanation. The groundwork of physiology and pathology has in recent years so shifted and extended itself, that the subject-matter of an elementary course must to a considerable extent be altered if it is to furnish 3.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.