New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-02-08
TIE PHYSIOLOGY OF MAN. BY AUSTIN FLINT, IT,, NJ D..
eyo. pp. 500. u. Appleton Co.

TIE PHYSIOLOGY OF MAN BY AUSTIN FLINT, IT,, M. d.
syo. pp 5Ol. d. Appleton Go.
Tn This volume the author presents the fret in
stalncnt of work which be proposes to publish in
four successive yearly parts each forming distinct
treatise devoted TO natural subdivisions of the sub
iect. His plan involves the consideration of pure
human physiology, and will embrace physiological
chemistry and the anatomy of the tissues and or
CANS Of the body, only so far as may be found
necessary for the calculation of the functions OF the
organism. The present issue contains general
Introduction to the work, and treats of the special
topics of tho Blood Circulation, and Respiration.
Tie introduction is devoted TO brief outline of the
leading principles Of physiological chemistry, with
ont aiming at an exhaustive handling of the theme.
In the main body of the volume, the author con-
siders the character composition, and functions Of
the blood, the mechanism and laws of the circua-
ton, and the phenomena Of respiration. Dr. Flint
apr reaches the subject under discussion with no
perceptibe dogmatic bases. Ho appears to have
no avorie theories 10 support, nor does he attempt
TO demolish any hostile system. successful et-
perimenter himself lie attaches more Importance to
the results Of experiment, than to processes OF
reasoning His work affords an excellent instance
of the application of tho nductiye method TO the
laws of human organization. He does not hesitate
TO express his dissent from views not yet sustained
by the evidence of facts, with whatever prestige
they may have been clothed by the authority Of
eminent names. Thus he differs from Liebig, and
other distinguished physiological chemists Of the
present day. in regard to the uses of the non-nitro-
celizcd substances as elements of food. lie denies
that their exclusive Office is TO keep up the animal
ten peratuIe by furnishing the materials Of com
bustion in the human body, and are not justly
entitled TO the name Of calorifc principles. The
subject Of nutrition be contends is as yet but i'm
perfectly understood, although it constitutes the
essence OF physiology. We know little OF the
changes which take place in tho assimilation OF
food and must content ourselves at present with
compromising few Of the laws by which they are
regulated. This, Of course involves a further re-
vision of the doctrine Of animal heat, which since
the discussions of Liebg on the subject, has been
presented in such neat. and plausible and attractive
formulas. Asoompared with some of his prominent
American fellow-aborers in this field Of research,
DR.. Flint may be characterized as more exact, more
profound, and less popular than Dunglison less in
gcnious less eloquent and less given to theorizine
than Draper, and equally compact in statement and
scientific in form with Dalton. In addition TO
bis own experimental abors, by which he has
already gained high reputation, be has relied on
tho authority of the great French psychologists,
especially BGrard Robin and NeTdel, Longc', and
others. The matter of his volume Is arranged in a
ceer and orderly method, and embodied III as'yle
OF admirable simplicity and condensation.