Walls of the Abdomen. -- The muscular walls of the abdomen are nicely arranged and beautifully adapted to the functions they perform. On the left side we see the large oblique muscle, so named because of the direction it's fibres run, and on the right side we observe the rectus muscle, transverse muscle and internal oblique muscle, all of which are strong, broad muscles, will split manner in which they are so scientifically arranged gives additional string to the abdominal walls, without deteriorating from its great mobility, and at the same time avoiding all pressure of the organs contained within this large cavity. There are ninety-one muscles on each side of the trunk, or one hundred and eighty-two in all, ninety of which are pairs, and two are single.I noted a slight difference in spelling for the word "fibres" in the section. I'm not certain if this is a medical spelling or if it's just a difference in spelling that's evolved over the last 90 years. In addition the section also has a reference again to the beauty and perfection of design which doesn't overdo it too much in this particular paragraph but given the history of the book so far seems to have more of a enthralled tone than you might expect.
Additional Articles from the Book of Medicine:
- The Spinal Column
The Spinal Column. — The spinal column, the lumbar portion of which is here seeing, consists of twenty-four bones, the which are placed pads of cartilage. Such is the elasticity of these cushions of cartilage, that, though they become condensed to the day, making a shorter in the evening then in the morning, they resume their normal thickness while you’re lying in bed at night. The perfection in the architecture of the spine surpasses belief; its various uses seem a bundle of contradictions.
This section starts to sound more like the book we are familiar with. There are several excessive uses of the coma and once again we start to encounter the authors love of the human body in a way that is less than scientific. I suppose a hundred years ago there may have been a little bit more passion for science than there is today, or maybe my own perception in this regards as biased. I seem to recall an anthropology professor back in college that was possibly as passionate about his topic is the author is about this topic.
- Avoiding Cholera
Avoiding Cholera. — a first and highly important warning, therefore, which these and many other similar occurrences give us is never to drink any water which, by any possibility, could have become contaminated with the smallest particle discharge from the bowels of a person suffering from cholera or choleraic diarrhea.
This ending on Cholera, is slightly confusing at first as the 100 year old grammar is slightly odd. However, the general lesson seems to be coming across. Its a lesson talking about germs essentially, Cholera specifically. But the author is painting a picture for the lay person that small particles can contaminate water and make everyone sick.
- Various Uses of the Hand
Various uses of the hand. — with the hand we affirm or reject the proposition with more force than with the tongue. It is the first to greet, and the last to bid our friends goodbye. We use it to express our joy and pleasure, or to give vent to our fear and horror. In the hour of peril we employ it in powerful supplication to Him to whom we look for succor and help, and it adds force and power to the appeals of suffering, of sorrow and of woe. It bestows its loving caresses on the Downey cheek of the baby, invokes the blessings of Heaven, pleads for mercy, or hurls curses on our enemies. Indeed, we do not always seem to realize how many notes in the tune of human life a hand of man is made to play. Its beauties, it’s perfect at its ability, it varied endowments, and the different uses to which it is applied, are almost beyond our thoughts, and he was deprived of this useful member sustained a loss that none can estimate, nor the wealth of Croesus compensate.
The Croesus reference relates to a very rich king that lived around the 500 BC period in what is today modern day Turkey. The reference of course is one that indicates that some things when lost can not be made up for with money at any level. You can repair some injuries, you can even compensate for others such as a drug addiction by attending drug rehabs.