This small volume, in the admirable tradition of English science, attempts to present human physiology with sufficient rigor and detail, yet with sufficient vigor and sweep, so that it will appeal both to the professional student and to the general reader. On the whole it succeeds well.
The first third treats activity of the whole organism, beginning with heat production, body temperature and problems of comfort and climate, and moving on to control by the nervous system and the nature of movement. Then comes a brief survey of the structure and function of the great organ systems of the body, followed by chapters dealing with circulation, respiration, exercise, food, digestion, metabolism, excretion, endocrines, reproduction and sense organs in greater detail.
The text is well written, lucid and provocative, with a minimum of technical terms or of factual recitation. Chemical matters are mostly elided. The figures, over one hundred, are informal