Human Histology, in Its Relations to Descriptive Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology

Abstract

The work before us is the first elaborate treatise on histology that has been presented to the profession by an American author. Since the appearance of Bichat’s great work about a quarter of a century ago, the novel and inviting field of histological research has been eagerly occupied by men of talent in all countries. America, however, appears to have cultivated this branch less than any other nation; it is now but a short time since microscopic anatomy and the application of the microscope to practical medicine and surgery, have been regularly taught in our medical schools; and though numerous works have appeared in England, and in the French and German languages, 1857 sees the first kindred publication in this country. The work of Kblliker, translated by George Busk and Thomas Graham, and edited by Dr. J. Da Costa, of Philadelphia, which is well known, doubtless, to all our readers, has become the standard work on microscopic anatomy; this however, is merely a work on microscopic anatomy and nothing more. The work of Robin and Verdeil,on anatomical and physiological chemistry (chimie anatomique) which has been lately issued, and is not yet translated, is, perhaps, the most elaborate and complete treatise on the subject, in any language. This treats of the anatomical and physiological chemistry of the Lissues or the normal and pathological immediate principles of the human body and mammalia. Dr. Peaslee has availed himself largely of these works, and of Lehmann’s Physiological Chemistry in the preparation of this volume. In his own words his aim is: