PREFACE.

work.

THE principal object of this work is to present to Lawyers Objects of the and others occasionally concerned in the administration of justice, such a condensed practical view of Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Surgery, Chemistry, Medicine, Medical Jurisprudence and Police, as is essential to be known by them in practical connexion with their professional avocations; and to Medical Men, so much of the Law connected with their departments, as ought to be intimately known by them; and especially all the Law relating to their own Rights, Privileges, Conduct, Duties, and Liabilities. A general knowledge of these subjects is essential to the perfect education of all Officers in the Army and Navy, and of every Gentleman, and especially so to Legislators, Judges, Coroners, Magistrates, Barristers, and, indeed, to every member of the legal profession, and to all persons who may become Jurors or Witnesses; so as to enable Legislators more scientifically and practically to determine upon the expediency of improving the existing laws relating to Public Health, and the protection of the persons of individuals, and all to give due effect to the existing regulations. By a knowledge of these subjects, the present laws will be better understood and applied, and preferable enactments with regard to the preservation of Health and Police and Punishments may be introduced. That science is of primary importance which most conduces to the perfect and permanent happiness of mankind; Theology and Moral Philosophy, as calculated to ensure future as well as present mental happiness, stand pre-eminent; but the next in substantial and universal importance, are Physiology, Pathology, and Surgery, since these tend to improve or secure Health and Happiness, or to restore them when afflicted. by corporeal or mental disorder.

The outline,

division, and

the subject. First part.

The First Part of the work, after explaining technical terms, arrangement of and referring to the sources of information, proceeds to describe the Structure of Man in the healthy state, and which comprises Anatomy and Physiology. At the same time are in general noticed the principal diseases affecting each Organ or Function. The component parts, whether fluid or solid, and the divisions into Organs and Functions, and certain general properties, are first considered. Then is taken an Anatomical and Physiological view of every Organ and of each Function in particular. The Bones, Joints, Ligaments, Muscles, Tendons, Arteries, Capillaries, Veins, Absorbent and Secernent Vessels, and Nerves, and all other parts, are separately examined. Then are described all the Functions whether of Motion, Respiration, Circulation, Digestion, Absorption, or Secretion. The Brain and its parts, the Nerves, the entire Nervous System, and the organs of the External Senses, are fully considered. An attempt has been made concisely to examine the Temper, Passions, and Emotions, and the Intellectual Faculties, and to show that the latter are capable of enlargement and improvement, even hereditarily, by due mental exercise and attention; and it has been shown that certain mental diseases and injuries are capable of medical or philosophical relief beyond our present experience; and that injuries to the mental faculties ought to be the direct objects of legal regulation, though at present many are only subject to censure.

Plates, with

Then follows a description of the Function of Generation, and of the principal distinguishing peculiarities between the Sexes, and the progress of the Foetus, and all circumstances that may tend to explain the too numerous offences connected with Miscarriage, Abortion, Premature Birth, Infanticide, and concealment of Birth, and to show the inexpediency of some parts of the existing law.

Then are considered the Integuments or external covering of the whole frame, including the three skins, and the hair and nails, with an account of the principal diseases and injuries to which they are subject.

Then is taken a medical and legal view of the different Ages, with their physical and legal differences, incidents, and consequences. Lastly is given an outline of the circumstances to be observed medically, as well as legally, to secure Health and Happiness, whether bodily or mental.

In the First Part now published will be found several plates, explanations. intended to explain and illustrate the subjects, namely, Frontal and Posterior views of the Bones of the Skeleton, at p. 54; of the

action of the Biceps Muscle, at p. SS; of the Trachea, Lungs, and other Organs of Respiration, at p. 94; of the Heart, Arteries, and other Organs of Circulation, at p. 140; the Front view of the Heart, at p. 125; of the right Ventricle and other parts of the Heart and other Vessels opened, at p. 127; of the Diaphragm, Abdominal Muscles, Stomach, Intestines, Liver, Gall-Bladder, Spleen, and Bladder, &c. at p. 94; of the Kidneys and Bladder, &c. at p. 140; Plates relating to Phrenology, as the Facial Angle, &c. at pp. 247, 248, 251; of the disarticulated Bones of the Head, at p. 259; Bones at the Base of the Skull, at p. 261; Vertical Section of the Skull, Brain, and Medulla Oblongata, at p. 264; of the Base of the Brain, the Origin or Roots of the Cerebral Nerves, at p. 278; Plates in explanation of the Eye, at p. 291, 292; of the Ear, at p. 301; and of the Female Pelvis, at p. 387. Most of these, with their explanations, were prepared in the dissecting room, from nature, under the careful directions of Mr. Skey, of whose valuable assistance I will presently take further notice. Any want of perspicuity or effect in these plates, is attributable to the great difficulty in fully depicting intricate organs without the aid of distinguishing colours.

In the Second Part, I have endeavoured to take a practical Second part. view of Pathology and Surgery (being a view of the Human Frame in its defective, morbid, diseased, or injured state,) with a Medical and Surgical view of Disorders, Diseases, and Injuries, and their Medical and Surgical Remedies, interspersed with statements and observations upon some important rules of law connected with this part of the subject.

In the Third Part a view is taken of the Laws relating to Third part. Public Health and Police, to Injuries affecting the Person, whether corporeal or mental, with all the regulations, as well for the preservation as for the punishment of each, and a comprehensive view of Medical Jurisprudence, Police, and Evidence, with the decisions upon Medical liabilities for error or want of due care. Some other branches of Law connected with the subject of Insurances on Lives and Properties, and some suggestions for the melioration of the Law connected with these subjects, are also considered.

The Fourth Part states the Laws relative to the Members of Fourth part. the Medical Profession in particular, namely, their Qualifica

Fifth part.

PREFACE.

tions, Rights, Privileges, Duties, and Liabilities, whether as Physician, Surgeon, Apothecary, General Practitioner, Surgeon Dentists, Accoucheurs or Midwives, Cuppers, or Nurses; and also relating to Chemists, Druggists, and Herbalists, with a legal and medical view of the regulations respecting Medicines and Drugs, and some suggestions for the more secure distribution of each, and for Heads of Families more effectually providing immediate means of relief in cases of emergency.

Lastly is given a view of Medical Evidence, and this rather to limit any direct professional education as regards the manner of giving evidence, and to suggest the higher importance of each individual stating his own genuine testimony, rather than studying to agree with other practitioners, a system which, though recommended by some eminent Physiologists, has of late progressed too far, and become rather injurious to the cause of truth and justice. (a) All these, with a very full Index, will be comprised in one volume of the same dimensions as the present.

Importance of An accurate knowledge of all these subjects connected with the knowledge the health, comfort, and happiness of mankind, bodily as of the subjects to legislators. well as mental, is obviously highly important and essential to every Member of the Legislature; for they have to enact laws relating to Public Health, Nuisances, Quarantine, Degrees of Punishments, Prison Discipline, Regulations restrictive of excessive labour by Factory and other children, and affecting the Medical Profession themselves, with all improved regulations respecting extended education, or otherwise affecting the community at large. Should individuals attempt to legislate upon matters concerning Public Health or Police, unless they be acquainted with the principles applicable to the subject, and the probable consequences of supposed injuries; and ought

(a) In some of the best works on Medical Jurisprudence, as in Dr. Gordon Smith's Forensic Med. 583, it has been suggested, that medical men should meet and compare their intended evidence, so as in effect to avoid disagreement or discrepancy in Court. It is to be feared that this recommendation, although well intended, and accompanied with a caution as regards the necessity for a strict adherence to truth, is sometimes abused, though without any criminal intention. Politeness and deference to the opinion of a senior practitioner, will often induce the suppression of at least a doubt upon some physical phenomenon or result, and the medical witnesses will be brought over too readily seemingly to concur in opinion for the sake of maintaining the credit of their profession; Counsel and Jurors should elicit, by questions, whether such a meeting and concurrence have not taken place, and the latter should give credit to the testimony accordingly.