Observations on the perspiratory pores of the skin, BOOK FIRST. OF THE DUTIES MEN OWE TO THEMSELVES. PART I. DUTIES CONCERNING THE BODY. ON THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE HUMAN FRAME. Who can sufficiently admire the noble nature of that creature Man, who carries about with him the image of the whole Creation, and who is in himself a little world? ALL organic beings are creatures capable of life, having either vessels or nerves, or more complicated structures, such as the heart, lungs, brain, stomach, &c. As these are called organs, beings possessed of one or all of these are called organic beings. Man possesses these organs, and therefore he is an organic being. The science which teaches us the structure of organic beings is called anatomy, and the science which explains the action and functions of such beings is called physiology; and when these sciences relate to man, they are called human anatomy and human physiology. In explaining the structure and functions of the human body, we adopt the following comprehensive division. First, the bones, or skeleton; second, the muscular system. These comprise what is called the locomotive system, whose parts act and re-act upon each other, fixing and giving to the body stability. Third, the nutritive system, which supplies the wear and tear of the body; fourth, the nervous system, which comprises the organs of sensation, reason, emotion, volition, &c. rests. THE SKELETON. The skeleton is a strong framework of bones, upon which the superstructure of the body These bones are not only intended to form the basis for the soft parts of the body, but also to enclose and support the important organs connected with the nutritive system. The skeleton contains about two hundred and fifty bones, the heaviest of which, in proportion to their size, are those of the skull, the pelvis, and the limbs. Hard and substantial as the bones appear, they were at first nothing more than a kind of soft pulp, which gradually became harder, and at the proper period acquired the necessary solidity. |