Practical Physiology; being a School Manual of Health, &c

Abstract

THE new title adopted by Dr. Lankester for this little work is somewhat misleading. It has nothing to do with Practical or Experimental Physiology, the subject on which interest has lately so much revived in this country, and on which we hope before long to see a treatise by competent hands. Nor would it be fair to compare this “School Manual” with the admirable “Lessons in Elementary Physiology” of Prof. Huxley. The latter, though intended for boys' and girls' schools, is only of use in the few instances in which dissection and microscopic anatomy are taught; and its chief value is for University men who do not specially take up Biology, and as the best introduction to the subject for medical students. But Dr. Lankester addresses the wider circle of the general public. He shows in the Introduction how an elementary knowledge of the functions of the body and of the rules of health may be taught in primary schools; and proceeds to demonstrate the advantage of this knowledge to statesmen, clergymen, lawyers, architects, newspaper writers, common councilmen, and artisans. Perhaps the most important part of this introduction is that in which the author urges the importance of some knowledge of what is necessary to health for women in all stations of life. A skilful teacher would be able to teach girls of average intelligence a large part, and that the most valuable, of the contents of this Manual. They would probably learn it more readily than boys, and when all memory of the tissues and their names had passed away, it may be hoped that the dogmatic injunctions and prohibitions on food and air and drains and clothing would, at least in part, survive.

Practical Physiology; being a School Manual of Health, &c.

By Edwin Lankester. Fifth Edition. Pp. 152. (London: Hardwicke, 1872.)