ANATOM 1, IN its primary acceptation, signified merely the art of dissecting, and is derived from the Greek word CO XTE 1.0 w, to cut asunder. It is now used, however, in a more general and enlarged sense, to denote the science, whose object is to investigate the structure of organized bo dies, or any kind demonstration, whether by the knife, or by any other means, which that science requires. Anatomy has been divided into three great branches, HUMAN, COMPARATIVE, and MORBID ANATOMY. Tile first refers exclusively to the structure of the human body ; the second, to the structure of the lower animals compared with that of man ; the third, investigates the causes and the effects of disease.
Those only who have acquired some knowledge of this science, can fully appreciate its value ; but of its extensive and various applications, there are some whose importance is so obvious as to be universally understood. To the surgeon and the physician it is peculiarly neces sary ; for, without an intimate acquaintance with anatomy, how shall they be enabled to repair the injuries to which the body is liable, to explain the various symptoms of disease, or to employ the proper means for its removal ? To the naturalist it affords essential aid ; enabling him to discern, in the animal form and structure, many of the causes of the variety of temper, genius, propensi ties, and habits. The statuary and the painter, who wish to excel in the representation of animated nature, must devote to this science a great portion of their study. Without the aid of anatomy, it is impossible either to observe with accuracy, or to delineate justly, the minute, but important varieties of feature, limb, or muscles, which characterise particular passions, feedings, or at titudes. In me dical jurisprudence, a knowledge of the animal structure is found to be still more indispensa ble. The judge, who has not made this his particular study, is ill qualified for the discharge of his sacred and awfully responsible duties. In many cases, he must be incompetent to decide on the nature of facts, and of course may often condemn where there is no sufficient evidence of guilt. Nay, it has sometimes happened, that the counsel for a prisoner, from mistaking the nature of the questions which he proposed, has inadvertently be come evidence against his client. At any rate, when the
case is such, that the sentence is to depend, not upon the simple evidence of facts, but upon the opinion which is formed of their consequences, it must be regulated by a knowledge of the nature of the animal economy ; and, for this reason, not only the decisions of a court, but the laws of a nation have sometimes been founded on medi cal opinion.
T. every reflecting mind, indeed, the wonderful me chanism of the human body is a subject of the most in wresting contemplation. What curiosity can be more natural, what can more nearly concern us, than to be acquainted with every part of that corporeal frame, is, as it were, the vehicle of the soul, the organ through which it acquires all its ideas, the instrument which it employs in all its operations, and on the order or derangement of which so much of our happiness de pends f To those who take pleasure in recognizing the Deity in his works, what study can be more gratifying than that of the animal structure, which exhibits so many striking proofs of divine wisdom and benevolence ? So fully were the ancient theists aware of the aid which anatomy affords to religion, " that they have derived from this source more arguments in favour of the exist ence, wisdom, and providence of a Deity, than from all the productions of nature besides ;" and indeed these arguments will be lound, not only the most numerous, but the most clear and decisive, and the best calculated to confirm the sentiments of rational piety, and to induce habits of active religion and virtue.
Before entering upon the detail of this science, it will be at once useful and amusing, to trace it through the various stages of its history ; to mark its alternate ad vances and retrogressions, and the discoveries by which it has at length been brought to its present state of per fection. To enable our readers to accompany us in this retrospect, it will be necessary to give a general de scription of the different parts of the human body ; for without this, they would often be impeded by unintelli gible terms, and could neither observe the progress of the science, nor form a just estimate of the respective merits of those who have contributed to its improve ment.