he was always ready in explanation,
and desirous of assisting every person willing to acquire knowledge.
Virtue was the basis of all his actions; science never possessed a
fairer fabric, nor did society ever sustain a greater loss.

LECTURES ON ZOONOMIA.

LECTURE I.
INTRODUCTION.

I AM well aware of the difficulties attending the proper
composition of a popular course of lectures on the animal economy,
which must be essentially different from those generally delivered
in the schools of medicine; because it professes to explain the
structure and functions of the living body, to those who are
supposed to be unacquainted with the usual preliminary and
collateral branches of knowledge. It must be obvious to every one,
that it can be by no means an easy task to give in a few lectures,
a perspicuous view of so extensive a subject; but I trust that the
consideration of this difficulty will readily extend to me your
indulgence.

That such a course, if properly conducted, must be interesting,
needs scarcely to be observed; for the more we examine the
structure and functions of the human body, the more we admire the
excellence of the workmanship, and beauty of contrivance, which
presents itself in every part, and which continually shows the
hand of omniscience. The most ingenious of human inventions, when
compared with the animal frame, indicate a poverty of contrivance
which cannot fail to humble the pretensions of the sons of men.
Surely then there are few who will not feel a desire to become
acquainted with subjects so interesting.

But there is another point of view which will place the utility of
such inquiries in a still stronger light. We shall afterwards see,
that our life is continually supported by the action of a number
of substances, by which the body is surrounded, and which are
taken into the stomach for its nourishment. On the due action of
these depends the pleasant performance of the different functions,
or the state of health; without which, riches, honours, and every
other gratification, become joyless and insipid.

By understanding the manner in which these powers act, or, in
other words, by becoming acquainted with the principles of
physiology, we shall be enabled to regulate them, so as, in a
great measure, to guard against the numerous ills that flesh is
heir to: for it is universally agreed, that by far the greatest
part of the diseases to which mankind are subject, have been
brought on by intem