Special anatomy and histology: in two volumes (Volume 1).

  • Horner, William E. (William Edmonds), 1793-1853.
Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Special anatomy and histology: in two volumes (Volume 1). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I. HISTOLOGY, OR GENERAL ORGANIZATION OF THE HUMAN BODY. In passing the eye over the structure of the human body, it is evident that the latter is formed by an aggregation of organs and of textures ; each adapted to some particular function of a vital or of a mechanical kind; the apparatus of the two functions, vital and mechanical, being in many instances blended. Some of the organs are of a character so peculiar that their texture is repeated nowhere else ; other organs have their texture exactly renewed in numerous places; a good exam- ple of which is seen in the muscles, where, from the necessity of motion, muscular structure exists at many points, both for locomotion and for the internal operations of the body. Anatomy as a science has for its object to portray all these component parts, both solid and fluid, under whatever circumstances they may be presented. The application of the science to the search of the same texture in different organs, and wherever it may indeed be found; the tracing of its degree of extension and its modifications under all circumstances; in fine, a general comparison of it, one parcel with another, constitutes what is called General Anatomy, or Histology.1 Each individual tex- ture is in technical language a tissue. Special or Descriptive Anatomy, in distinction from Histology, teaches, the exterior form of organs, their magnitude, their position, their connections with adjacent parts; and their intimate texture or organization. As in this way every individual part is brought under a strict review, it is the knowledge of this portion of the science which gives skill to the surgeon. General Anatomy may be explained, as its great founder, Bichat, himself has done it, by the following comparison. Chemistry has its 1 From lo-ro; texture, and Xoyof word, doctrine of texture. VOL. I.—3