aliment blood into the general mass of the body But here another question will arise how can the spirits flow into the inward and most remote parts but by penetration and dimension Answer Some bodies are crass and solid and some thin and tender through those that are hard they cannot penetrate but the spirits because they are thin do fly all manner of sense and are diffused without impediment in a moment this way and that way with a certain kind of celerity and do pervade the members neither by their presence filling them nor by their absence emptying them E And in this spirit all the causes come to be considered the matter is the natural spirit procreated in the liver thence carried by the vena cava with the arterious blood that is the purest of blood upwards going into the right side of the heart where it is attenuated most accurately by the passages not altogether occult but if a dog be dissected it will be found in the left side the efficient cause is the strong heat of the heart attenuating and making thin the vital spirit it 's form its rarefaction not unlike to the tenuity of a little flame its end is to conserve life diffused from the heart by the arteries into the universal body F The matter of this spirit is that vital which is carried by the crevices of the arteries to the basis of the brain and it doth slide thereinto as into a net which is placed there by nature as a labyrinth for when any matter would exactly elaborate it doth devise a longer stay in the instruments of coction and afterwards by another context is intromitted into ventricles of the brain the efficient cause is motion but chiefly the proper force of the solid substance of the brain whereby this spirit doth exactly elaborate and so become animal the form of it is rarefaction made perfect by the degeneration of the vital spirit into the animal its end is to shew a sensitive and moving faculty with great celerity from the middle ventricle of the brain by the nerves into the whole body by which spirit the animal faculty is apprehended in man of reason and memory if its force or motion be not hindred CHAP. 9. Of the similar parts of an Animate body 1. HAving expounded the contained parts the continent do follow which consist of substance by reason of that firmness and solidity they have 2. And they are either homogeneous or heterogeneous similar or dissimilar 3. A similar A part is that which may be divided into similes according to the particles of sense and into the same species 4. Of similar parts some are spermatical others carnous 5. The spermatick parts are those which are generated immediately of the crassament of seed and so coalesced into hard substances 6. Of which sort are Bones Cartilages Ligaments Membranes Nerves Arteries Veins Fibres Fat 's Skin 7. Bones are the hardest parts B of animates dry and cold begotten of the crassament of seed by exustion to the stability of the whole 8. These are endowed with no sense because first no Nerves are disseminated by their substance Secondly if they were sensible they could not endure daily labors without great pain and that sensation would either take away the greatest part of action or render it frustraneous 9. A Cartilage C is a kin to these which is a substance or part a little softer then bones and harder then any other member and flexible after a certain manner made to the keeping of motion in its destinated parts 10. A Ligament D is a simple part of the body hard and begotten of seed yet softer then a Cartilage and yielding to the touch knitting the bones together 11. A certain portion of these is called tendous which is a similar part begotten of Fibres Nerves and Ligaments mixed in a muscle all which are called articles 12. A Membrane is a similar part begotten of seed tender covering several other parts 13. The Nerves are spermatick parts arising from the brain or back-bone the interior part of the marrow the exterior of the membrane carrying the animal spirit to sense and motion 14. They are distinguished into softer or harder 15. They are soft which do arise from the former part of the brain 16. And they are seven conjugations for none of all the Nerves are simple but all conjugated whence they are called paria nervorum 17. The chiefest of these are inserted in the centre of the eye and are called the visive or optick nerves carrying the faculty of seeing unto them 18. The second propagation of moving of the nerves is the eyes 19. The third society is partly scattered into the tunicle of the tongue to propogate to the taste and part dispersed in other parts of the face 20. The fourth conjugation is a certain proportion dispersed in the palate 21. The fifth is carried by the auditory passage to the drum of the ears and they are called the auditory nerves 22. The sixth is a large portion of nerves wandring and running almost through all the bowels 23. The seventh arises from the hinder part of the head and the marrow of the back-bone and inserted into the muscles of the tongue and is said to move the tongue 24. The crasser nerves in which there is a more obtuser faculty and they do come out of the marrow of the back-bone carrying sense and motion to the internal parts 25. And thirty of these are alike and combined seven to the hinder part of the neck twelve to the Thorax five to the Lungs six to the sacred bones all which do disperse themselvs like boughs into the other parts of the body 26. The Arteries F are hollow vessels long having two tunicles and those crass and substantial ordained for the deducing of the vital spirit and for temperating and expurging of the heart and other parts to heat 27. And they do arise out of the heart of which two principal Arteries do spring out of the left side thereof from which two all the other take their original Arteria Aorta et Arteria venosa 28. The great Artery Aorta is the foundation of all other Arteries and doth carry the vital spirit to all the other parts of the body 29. The venous artery is stretched out like a quill from the same side of the heart into the liver from whence it brings air to cool the heart 30. A vein G is a similar part and round and hollow like to a reed arising from the liver consisting of one tunicle contexted of three Fibres carrying blood for nutriment together with the natural spirit to the several parts of the body 31. Veins are distinguished into principal and less principal 32. The Principal are those out of which as out of a trunk or stock others do arise and they are two vena porta and vena cava 33 Vena porta is a great vein coming out of the hollow part of the liver and excepting all the Mesenterian veins
NATURE'S CABINET UNLOCK'D Wherein is Discovered The natural Causes of Metals Stones Précious Earths Juyces Humors and Spirits The nature of PLANTS in general their Affections Parts and Kinds in Particular Together with A Description of the Individual Parts and Species of all Animate Bodies Similar and Dissimilar Median and Organical Perfect and Imperfect With a compendious Anatomy of the Body of Man As also the Manner of his Formation in the Womb. All things are Artificial for Nature is the Art of God By Tho. Brown D. of Physick London Printed for Edw. Farnham in Popes-head alley near Cornhil 1657 OF PHYSIOLOGY Treating of BODIES Perfectly mixed With Comments thereupon CHAP. 1. Of Metalls 1. WE shall here Treat of those Bodies which are perfectly mixed and substantial 2. That Body is perfectly mixed â—…hich is made solid by the Concretion of the Elements and therefore daily grows harder and harder 3. All the Elements do abide and are concentricated in a mixed Body because all mixed Bodies are carried to a place of the Earth and therefore much of earth must needs be in them And if earth be in them then water without which earth cannot consist for all Generation happens from their contraries so that if there be one contrary it 's necessary that there should be an opposite contrary to that Arist. lib. 2. De gen corrupt c. 8. 4. And these Bodies are either Inanimate or Animate 5. Inanimate bodies are such as are void of life As Metalls Stones precious Earths 6. Metall is a body perfectly mixed and Inanimate of Sulphure and Quicksilver gotten in the veins of the earth 7. Sulphure and Quicksilver is often found in the veins of Metalls and of these for the variety of the temperament and mutuall permission the Professors of the Rosie Cross do adjudge Metalls to have their original 8. They define Sulphure to be a Metallick matter consisting of a subtill exhalation fat and unctuous included in the earth 9. Quicksilver B is a Metallick matter consisting of a vapour more subtil then water which is conglutinated with the earth and cocted by the heat of Sulphure 10 The Peripateticks will have a double vapour to lye hid in the bowels of the earth the one dry that is more terrene then water the other moist and glutinous that is more watry then terrene and from these do Stones and Fossiles grow and these do produce proper Metall Arist. 3. Met. c. 7. 11. The Chymists do not dissenâ—… from this opinion of Aristole for he maketh the matter of Metalls to be a remote vapour They a nearer matter Sulphure and Quicksilver which do grow from the aforesaid vapour as the remote matter of Metalls 12. The efficient Cause of Metall is heat and cold for heat whether Elementary or Celestial doth animate digest and exactly mingle all portions of matter which mass so temperated and prepared for this or that kind of metall doth grow by cold and is condensated 13. The place in which Metals are ingendered is the bosom of the earth Arist. 3. met c. 7. 14. Many are made amongst Stones and that oftner in mountains then in plains for according to their solidâ—…ty they do retain their colour better which is easily decayed and dispersed in plains because of the softness of the earth 15. If it be demanded whether their form be one or more C that is to say whether they can be distinguished amongst themselves in specifical differences which do effect divers and incommunicable forms amongst themselves 16. To the latter it is agreed First Because every Species hath its Essence and that perfect Secondly Its Definition Thirdly Its Heats Fourthly It Strength and Use Scal. Exer. 106. sect 2. 17. But it is a great dispute amongst late writers whether Metalls are Bodies Inanimate or whether they Live It is most certain they perform no vitall action as other bodies that are endowed with a vegetive soul therefore they are not Animated Scal. Exer. 102. 18. But Metalls are either pure or impure 19. Pure Metall is when there is a perfect decoction exquisitely made as in Gold and Silver 20. Gold E is a pure Metall begotten of pure Quicksilver fixed red and clear and of pure red Sulphure not too hot but well qualified 21. This of all Metalls is the softest and tenderest wanting fatness It is heavy having a sweet pleasant and excellent sapor and odor 22. But whether the Chymists by the industry of art can make true and approved Gold it is a question much disputed of late yet in my opinion it is clear that though it be very difficult experience witnessing it yet it is â—…ot altogether impossible for if Art be a follower and imitator of Nature I see not why Nature may not be imitated in framing of true Gold 23. And whether it may be made potable that is so prepared that it may be taken into the body without danger is a great controversie between the Chymists and Galenists 24. The favourers of Galen defend the Negative to which Scaliger doth subscribe being perswaded with these two reasons I. There is no similitude to be discerned between Gold and our Body as there is between Aliment and Body to be nourished II. Because Gold is more solid then that it can be overcome by our heat or changed from its substance Scal. Exer. 272. 25. Silver is a pure Metall G begotten of clear Quicksilver shining white and of pure Sulphure almost fixed 26. Such Metalls are impure which do consist of impure Sulphure and Mercury 27. Of these some have more of the Humor or Mercury and some more of the Earth or Sulphure 28. Lead and Tinn do participate more of the Humor 29. Lead H is a Metall procreated of much crass and less-pure Quicksilver and burning Sulphure 30. Its Species are various according to the matter of which it consists and the heat by which it is cocted 31. And hence it is black or clear 32. Black-lead doth consist of impure Quicksilver and it is less elaborate therefore of a baser value 33. Clear or White-lead is fully cocted and doth coâ—… somewhat of a more purer matter 34. Tin I is a White-metal begotten of much yet not so pure Quicksilver outwardly white but inwardly red and of impure Sulphure not well digested 35. Brass and Iron have more of Earth to which is added Copper 36. Brass K is an impure Metall begotten of much Sulphure red and gross and a little impure Quicksilver 37. Cyprian Brass is a Species of it which doth grow copiously in the Island Cyprus whence it is called Cuprum 38. Iron is L a Metall impure begotten of much Sulphure Crude Terrestrial and burning and a little impure Quicksilver 39. And although it 〈◊〉 hard yet it is bruised with daily labor because there goes to its generation less Quicksilver or Humor but more Sulphure or Terrene 40. Copper is factitious Brass clarified of the colour of Gold or rather more yellow 41. The Native is now of no use and
and nourished with humidity and new always substituted in the place of that which is absumed for I do not see why if radical humidity be wanting that death should follow but answer may be made that the privation or defect of the radical humor depends upon the impotency of heat for whatsoever suffices in the place of its native humour that is necessary to be changed by the help of heat which as Scaliger thinks is altered and grows feeble by use and diuturnity of time therefore what accedes of aliment is more worse and impure then that which decedes therefore heat destitute of idoneous aliment is dissipated And hence it is that man necessarily must dye CHAP. 8. Of Spirits 1. HItherto of humors so called Now we shall handle the doctrine of spirits they are called A spirits because they fly away by their subtil and aereal tenuity which after a certain manner responds to the Nature of Spirits indeed 2. But here the word spirit is taken B for a very small or thin substance aereal and vaporous the first instrument of life as to the performance of action 3. Here its essence is not to be understood ethereal and celestial but in a manner elementary First because such like spirits are what like their matter is but their matter is elementary Secondly they can accend refrigerate increase diminish and extinguish but the celestial on the contrary want these neither can they be changed by natural cause Thirdly because to their preservation the inspiration of the air is necessary Fourthly and lastly the spirits do restore again an elementary body in a swounding fit 4. A spirit is either insited or fixed or influent 5. Insited which is ordinarily C complanatus is an aereal and tender substance lying within several solid members and procreated of the genital seed from the governess faculty of the principal parts the first and proximate seat of native heat and a certain faculty as it were the band of unition of the soul with the body 6. Of this there seems to be so many differences as there are natures and temperaments of parts if it may be accommodated to these and attemperated to the nature of every part 7. The influent is that which is implanted and lest it should dissolve and vanish it remains fixed 8. And here it is threefold natural vital and animal 9. And as in mans body First there are three Vertues Natural Vital and Animal Secondly so also there are three principal bowels if I may so call them the Liver Heart and Brain Thirdly three Organs also administring to these the Veins Arteries and Nerves so there are so many spirits distinct in species and form which are as it were the chariots of strength 10. The natural is D a thin vapour procreated in the liver of the purer part of blood and thence diffused by the veins into the habit of the body to absolve all natural actions 11. Concerning this many great questions are made some do expunge it from the catalogue of spirits First because it takes its natural faculty from the Liver Secondly that it doth renew the same faculty insited from every part Thirdly and by this Spirit or Captain the gross blood is carried to distant parts 12. The vital spirit E is a thin halite vapour or breath begotten of inspirated air and natural spirit carried to the left side of the heart and so runs by the artery over the whole body and so supplies the vivifical strength unto them 13. All the ancient Neotericks do conclude this to be coacted when it is chiefly necessary to life for as Plato doth affirm if the sun should quiesce one moment the whole world would perish because it excites spirit and heat by its motion so here if the spirits be prohibited forthwith the Animal perishes 14. The animal spirit is F a pure halite begotten of a portion of vital spirit carried to the brain and insited in its faculty diffused by the nerves into the body that it may incite it to motion sense and all animal actions 15. This as it pleases some doth not differ from the vital in kinde and nature because they maintain that there is but one universal spirit but as aliment doth take a new form by a new coction and thence a new denomination So that first there are divers Organs Secondly divers faculties Thirdly divers manner of generations so also this spirit is diverse from the rest in species The Commentary A BY spirit here we understand not an incorporeal substance or the intellect of man which is rightly called by the Philosophers a spirit which Scaliger otherwise a man very learned dothseem to dissent from for he speaks Theologically and is to be understood as speaking of an incorporate substance but by spirit we mean a thin and subtil body B Because nature is not wont to copulate one contrary to another unless it be with some medium not unlike a band for mortal and immortal do differ more then in kinde and therefore an incorporate being is not consentaneous to a brittle body and immortality cannot be united to the intellect of man without the concurrence of a medium and this is no other then a spirit which doth bring mortality to the body having a thin and tender substance as it were acceding to the intellect The medium between both is nature and this spirit is not void of a body but begotten of the elements which were in the seed and it is most elaborate nearly acceding to the nature of celestial spirits and most thin that it may fly all sense very apt to pass by an incredible celerity for it passes over the whole body with a great celerity that it may give motion sense and strength to its parts and perform other functions of the soul. D Concerning this spirit many great questions are agitated some do-banish it from the catalogue of spirits moved thereto by these Arguments First because there is no use nor necessity for it We answer Its use is great for first of all it is the chariot of aliment for the humours gotten in the liver can scarce penetrate of themselves through the narrow passages by reason of their crassitude nor can they well be carried to the other parts of the body by reason of the slowness of their motion Furthermore this spirit takes its natural faculty from the liver whose work is to attract retain and concoct familiar aliment to all the parts of the body and by a certain force doth expel the excrements Secondly they will have no place to be given by nature proper for this spirit We answer the liver is its fountain and principle as the heart of life and the brain of the soul. Thirdly they alledge that this spirit doth not lead any thing to any part or carry any thing thereunto But we say that as the animal spirit is carried by the Nerves the Vital by the Arteries so the natural spirit is carried by the veins together with the
compelling them into one of the ligaments serving the arteries to a voluntary motion the fibres of the tendons growing of the junctures are joyned amongst themselves E They are called spermatick parts because they are generated of seed and not of blood which argues that their colour must be white and cold in substance All nerves do arise from the brain and not from the heart as Aristotle imagined their use is to carry that animal spirit gotten in the brain and the motive and sensitive faculty and to communicate it to the body F The veins and arteries are joyned with a friendly intercourse that the veins may supply them with matter of spirit for the spirit doth cherish the blood with its heat in the arteries and there are mutual orifices that the spirit may take nutriment out of the veins and the veins spirit and heat out of the arteries But the arteries and veins do differ First in their original because they come out of the sinister ventricle of the heart Secondly in their function because they subminister vital spirits to the whole body Thirdâ—…y in their substance for the arâ—…eries so likewise the veins do â—…onsist of a membranous body â—…et more solid harder and conâ—…rmed by more crasser tunicles Now a tunicle is twofold exterior interior that fibre which is knit with many strait and crooked windings hath the like crassitude and firmness with the tunicle of the veins but this hath five times a more harder and grosser substance lest the subtil spirit should exhale and the artery it self be broken with the perpetual motion of the heart Fourthly in motion for the arteries are moved without intermission by dilatation and contraction when dilated they draw the cold air and when contracted cast out hot fumes G This question is moved by Physitians and Philosophers about the veins Whether they have a force or faculty to generate blood Some maintain it that the blood which the veins contain within themselves to elaborate more exquisitely and to be made by an insited force and faculty and therefore in that blood that the chiefest degree of perfection is gotten But the falsity of this opinion is easily known by those who diligently mark the thin tunicle of the veins and its white substance Now it is provided by nature that every part of the body should be converted to the other and transmuted into its colour then how can the veins with their thinness and whiteness change white chyle and gross into red and pure blood Therefore more truer is that opinion that the generation of blood is onely the work of the liver which doth make blood by a certain force and faculty within it self seated all the sanguifick force is given to the veins yet they receive it from the liver as Avicen demonstrates H Aristotle and Hippocrates do prove that fibres do concrete the blood by their frigidity because that blood out of which fibres are taken can never be concreted by any cold for when blood is let out of the veins if it doth not concrete it is a sign of death I Fat is the matter of blood and although it be made of the cream of blood yet notwithstanding it is cold and without blood degenerating into fat by the want of heat and frigidity of the membrane it consists of coldness and dryness because by heat it is melted and by the humidity of other parts coagulated by cold The efficient cause is the want of heat which is thus proved because you shall finde no fat as to any quantity about the liver or the heart or any other hot part by reason of the heat of those parts K Take this as another definition of the cutis the skin is a thin part membranous porous endowed with blood the tegument or cover of all the parts of the body which as it is easily taken away by accident so it doth easily grow again which denotes thus much that the skin is not altogether endowed with a sensitive faculty but onely so far as it hath the nerves and of the faculty of blood in it and whereas it is defined to be membranous that is smooth simple thin and white and that it hath a middle nature between flesh and nerves for neither is it altogether without blood as the nerves are so neither doth it abound with blood as the flesh doth whence it is adjudged to be the rule of temperaments and indeed the skin about the hands in it there is the most exquisite and perfect faculty of sense but not so in other parts of the body and the skin is porous that it may thereby attract the coldness of the air and expulse the excrementitious vapours of the body Now the excrement which comes out of the pores is sweat sweat is an excrementitious humidity of the third coction breaking out by the skin in the species or form of water the matter of sweat is the whole humidity which is gotten in meat and drink which thing is necessary to all animals because it might make way for other aliment and not longer lie in the vessels it is of the same genus with urine onely differing in this that the urine is carried to the bladder this with blood a longer passage through the body its efficient cause is heat but not so vehement as to have a drying faculty but moist so calefying the nature of sweat by the habit of the body that it becomes thin and so softens the skin by relaxation that it may the better pass through those whose skins are hard and thick are very unapt to sweat L Flesh may be taken either properly or improperly when properly taken then absolutely that which is described by us and it is the chiefest part of the muscles for the substance of them doth truly and properly deserve the name of flesh that which is taken improperly is the flesh of the bowels generated of blood poured out as the liver heart and lungs CHAP. 10. Of External dissimilar Parts 1. HItherto we have spoken of similar parts Now of dissimilar or organical which are diversly compounded of the similar 2. And they are either external or internal 3. The external parts are first the head secondly the trunk of the body thirdly the artus under which we comprehend the arms and feet 4. The head is the highest part of the body globular set upon the neck the seat of the animal faculty 5. Its parts that are external are chiefly the skull and the face 6. The skull is a crafs bone of the head round distinguished into twenty bones and certain futures covering the brain environing it on every side 7. Its bones are thus distinguished there are two in the crown one in the front two in the temples one in the form of a wedge another in the form of a sieve twelve in the superior jaw and one in the hinder part of the head 8. There are three sutures The first is transverse the crown going from towards one ear to the
which are produced of putrid matter alone without seed so the flye Cantharis hath neither masculine nor feminine nor is it a Pâ—…enix in nature so an Eel is of neither sex and many other C It is disputed by some whether humours or spirits may be rightly reckoned amongst animal parts because they obtain no figure nor certain mode of increment like solid and dimense parts but know that we take the word part largely in this place for all that which is necessary to the constitution of an animate body for whatsoever may not be taken from the whole without a dissolution of that whole that may properly be called part of that whole therefore humors and spirits because if they be taken away the animal whole cannot consist therefore they are adjudged to pass under the name of parts But here it will be demanded whence doth the dissimilitude of the four humours depend from the efficient or from the matter Galen and Avicen do assert that blood doth arise from a moderate and temperate choler from an intense and flegme from a remiss heat But Fernelius more rightly refers the cause of so great variety to the aliment that is â—…o the material cause because it â—…s not consentaneous the same â—…eat in the same time and part â—…o produce contrary effects â—…herefore the cause of this dissiâ—…ilitude is referred to the matâ—…er For whereas aliment which â—…s the matter taken into our boâ—…ies doth consist of divers parts â—…t is altogether consentaneous to â—…uth that those humours which â—…o arise from it cannot be altoâ—…ther of one and the same genus â—…ut divers for what part of the â—…yle is more temperate is converted by the liver into blood and what more hotter is changed into yellow choler and what is crude into flegme and what is terrene into melancholy And these are familiar to the body four manner of ways as Hippocrates saith by which we are constituted and nourished for because the bodies of animals do disperse those things which are excrementitious by certain occult foramens and that by diflation therefore they need aliment D Blood may be understood two manner of ways First for all the four humours which are contained in the veins which when opened blood doth flow out endowed with the four humours for blood is not similar but a mass conflated of different humours Secondly blood may be taken peculiarly and properly for a pure sejoyned humor which is known by this sign that assoon as it is let out into a vessel it concretes and turns into clots by reason of its fibres this humour is called by Hippocrates hot and moist because it conserves the life of the animal which consists of a humid as though material and a calid principle as formal and it is also called temperate by Galen because a hot and moist temperament doth next accede to the temperature because it is the fittestto produce animal-operations and it is called sweet because it arises from a moderate heat and of a temperate and best part of chyle it is called Red or Rubicund because it acquires a colour from the liver that is red for every part propounds this as its end to assimilate that to itself which it altered therefore chyle is taken from the ventricle and transmuted by little and little to the liver and so by degrees doth pass and is converted into its nature and hence it is that it receives its colour from this doth every part attract aliment whence blood is called by some the treasure of life which nature so keeps in such safe custody that all the other humors may receive loss before blood nay some have gone so far as to go about to demonstrate that the soul resides in blood others do affirm that blood is essentially the very soul. E Flegme is gotten of the gross and watrish part of chyle sometimes it is called sweet not that any dulcitude or sweetness doth possess it as it is with honey or sugar but so to be understood as when we say sweet water or water is sweet and when we ascribe frigidity to it we do mean that it is not partaker of the contrary viz. heat but because that coldness is predominant in it for if flegme were onely cold exactly then it would be coacted like unto ice and if it were exactly humid it were void of all crassitude and lentor the effect of it is to nourish the flegmatick members together with blood and it is alimenâ—… half cocted and in progress of time may easily make blood and nourish the whole body F The matter of black choler or melancholy is the more gross and feculent part of aliment not unlike to the fecies of wine or the setlings of oyl This humour is cold and dry because terrene neither yet so cold but that it is a partaker of some heat otherwise it would concrete like ice nor void of all humidity otherwise it would not be an humor but a hard body like to an Adamant its proper colour is black or rather oleaceous which in a temperate man is called black if compared with the colour of other humours it is crass by reason of its terrene nature and it hath sometimes a sowre sapour when much heat cocts the humidity and sometimes sharp when less heat c. its use is to nourish the gross hard and terrene members But here a question may be handled whereas it is said that melancholy is terrene cold and dry therefore unapt to all the motions both of body and minde its strange why Aristotle will have all melancholy persons to be ingenious either in the study of Philosophy or moral Policy in Poetry and many other Arts and Sciences It is answer'd that the strength of wit is discerned and discovered either by quickly learning or strongly retaining In this latter melancholy persons do excel because siccity is necessary and appropriated to the retentive faculty therefore the brain is made firm and contemperated from this humor by the heat of blood and spirit and indeed those that are without this humour are very forgetful and though they may be ingenious yet they are always found to be light and unstable seldom persevering in the thing proposed by reason of the levity of spirits for judgement and prudence is noâ—… perfected in motion but in rest whence Aristotle could affirm that the soul is rendred more intelligible by rest and quietness then commotion and trouble H Avicen besides those two before named doth make other two adventitious humours amongst which those spoken of do possess a medium the first is called innominatus because it never flows out of the veins but the second the Barbarians call Cambium because it desires to flow out and would be changed into the substance of flesh but both of them are rejected yet Fuchsius would have this humor to be the same with the radical but without reason Here it may be demanded whether it may perpetuate life because the oleous or radical is preserved
by which it takes chyle out of the ventricle and intestines and so doth carry it to the concavity of the liver 34. Vena cava which is also called the great vein doth arise from the bunchy part of the liver and running over the whole longitude of the animal carries the blood to all the parts for nutriment 35. The less principal veins are branches of the former and either they have peculiar names allotted or not 36. The branched veins are partly Mesenterial and partly Hemorrhoidal 37. The causes of these are either external or internal 38. The internal are the emulgent or seminal veins 39. The exterior are the jugular veins in the head the intercostal in the trunk and the auxiliary in the arms of these and all the branches dispersed from them into both the exterior and interior parts of the body no particular names are allotted them 40. The fibres are H similar parts begotten white and solid of seed and dispersed every where over the whole membrane 41. And they are either right oblique or transverse 42. They are right which are carried according to the longitude of the membrane and do serve to attract aliment 43. Those that are transverse are such as are placed cross the body and they retain the attracted aliment 44. Oblique are those that are obduced with an organ crooked and do crosswise cut the two former and have an expelling force 45. Fat is a similar part I of the body moist without blood concreted of the aereal and fatty part of blood erupting by sweat through the tunicles of the vessels and congealed by the frigidity of the nervous parts 46. The skin K is a similar part ample and spermatick and it is the covering of all the parts of the body 47. To this may be added that which is no other then a thin and tender skin not unlike to the peeling of an onyon 48. Hitherto of similar parts which are spermatick they are carnous which are generated of blood and they are the flesh of the muscles 49. Flesh L is a tender part soft and rubicund and concreted of coagulated blood The Commentary A MAny definitions of similar parts are delivered both by ancient and late writers Aristotle doth call that a similar part which is divided into like parts which definition almost all have kept which notwithstanding seems to be imperfect for it must be understood of those things that may be divided into similar parts both according to sense and reason As for example flesh in the judgement of sense may be divided into parts which are similar mutually to it self and to the whole but in reason or imagination it is divided both into the four humours of which it consists and also into the four elements which neither are similar mutually to it self or by being compound to the whole therefore this particle is rightly added in the definition according to sense whence also Galen makes mention of sense saying That these are similar parts which are like in sense and therefore those parts are called rightly similar which do admit of no division altogether sensible into diversities and therefore they are called simple as to sense For although the elements alone are truly simple because they acknowledge no composition onely of matter and form notwithstanding they are called simple and similar parts of animals by a certain similitude and analogy for those things which are truly similar cannot be divided into the parts of a divers species neither in sense nor reason so that what things are onely similar in sense are not to be divided into diversities sense being judge B Bones are called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because their substance is hard and dry whence it follows that the same is chiefly terrene that is partaking more of earth then of any other element they are void of sense because much portion of the nerves is disseminated by their substance by the benefit whereof all the parts are sensitive But because some do assert that there is a notable sense in bones We answer that this sense doth not arise from the bones but from that membrane which doth cover the bone for that being abrased the bone may not onely be cut without any pain but without sense But it may be objected that the teeth are bones which experience doth teach to be most exquisite in sense I answer That happens by accident and not of it self for certain soft and tender nerves do appear to be derived from the teeth which because they are disseminated to the inward parts of the teeth do so affect the substance thereof that it causes great pain Furthermore in hollow bones marrow is contained which is a simple substance moist fat and white and the aliment of those bones this marrow is without blood yet hath its original of blood which doth distil out of the orifices of the vessels to the Periostium and so doth pierce into the cavities of the bones the efficient cause is the frigidity of the bones whence it is that cold and moist bodies do abound with much more fatness and marrow then the hot and dry and for this reason the bones of a Lyon do want marrow which of all creatures is the dryest and hottest because they have bones hard and dense It s use is to nourish the bones and to binde with iâ—… incalescency with motions and other causes C A Cartilage is called by the Greeks Condros its substance is terrene and solid but not so much as the bone whence Aristotle doth rightly write that the matter of a Cartilage and Bone to be one and the same matter onely differing in dryness for a Cartilage is softer then a Bone and somewhat flexible whence it gives place with its softness neither doth it so resist as the bone It s use is multifarious for first it is a certain stay and prop and makes the proximate parts more stable Secondly it admirably defends the bones from knocking or grinding together but being annexed by the same they may be more firm and stable Thirdly they promote and cause certain light parts to a promptness of motion in the arteries Fourthly they defend them against many accidents for their substance is idoneous to cover them and defend them because they being hard cannot easily be broken or cut hence we conclude with good reason that a Cartilage is void of sense D The most noted ligaments are in the trunk or artubus the ligaments of the trunk are either in the head or thorax in the head either in the whole or in part for a ligament doth convert the whole head with the spina so the tongue with the jaws In the trunk of the joynts there are ligaments knitting the bodies intrinsecally and cloathing of them as it were extrinsecally the ligaments of the joynts do connect other bones os ilii with os sacrum But there is a certain portion of a ligament called a tendon consisting of the fibres of the nerves and
is a certain partition which divides either side the vulgar call it the seventh medium which at the first sight appears crass but after a more curious inspection it is found to have many holes in it that there may be an easie passage from the left side to the right notwithstanding what the Neotericks exclaim against it and urge to the contrary 13. Furthermore there are certain appendixes membranous and full of windings leaping to each side of the ventricle which are called Auriculae not from its use or action but similitude 14. On the right side it lies open to the door of the vena cava the left is placed in the orifice of the venous artery and it is larger because it is the receptacle of gross blood the latter is the less because it contains air 15. The chief use of those Auriculars are First that they be ready receptacles of blood and air that they do not confusedly pass into the heart and so to suffocate the heart by oppression Secondly lest the vena cava and the venous artery be broken in violent motions for they have great force in drawing of blood and air in to the heart 16. The lungs E are of rare parts light and spungious and as it were concreted of spumous blood like the substance of a Snail seated in the thorax filling its whole cavity the instrument of breath and voice 17. And although it is but one in body yet it is divided into two parts by the membrane called Mediastinus the right and left 18. Either part consists of two Globes or Knots the one superior the other inferior often discernable and sometimes obscure 19. The use of these is that its flesh or substance should not be collaberated or tyred but that it may be more actively moved and that the heart be embraced on every side 20. The air is transmitted into the lungs by the asper-artery whose structure is constituted of Veins Cartilages Membranes and Nerves The Commentary A DIaphragma hath divers appellations for it is sometimes derived from the verb Diaphratto that is to fortifie because Diaphrattei that is it separates out the middle and low belly and also it is called the seventh transverse it is called Diaphragma and by ancient Medicks called Phrenas because as some judge by its inflammation the minde is hurt It s use is noble for it separates between the spiritual and vital bowels and the heart and the lungs from the naturals which separation Aristotle thinks to be made by nature lest the vapours which do exhale from meat offend the heart in which the soul he thinks doth reside But this opinion is false because the fumes do pass by the Oesophagum To conclude the Diaphragma hath two holes placed in organs ascending and descending Again it helps exspiration and inspiration for when the thorax is contracted then the inspiration is dilated but when it is laxed then inspiration is made Again it helps the ejection of the excrements by its motion with the muscles of the Abdomen Again it is the rise of the organs whereby it pleasantly affects the heart and causes laughter D The covering which defends the heart and contains it in its seat and hinders it lest it should be oppressed with its vicine members is called Capsula which contains also a certain watrish humour lest it should 〈◊〉 and dry with too much heat the substance of the heart is hard and dense lest it should be broken by its violent motions Its substance saith Aristotle is thick and spiss into which heat is received strongly and therefore its temperament is the hottest of all the members it is endowed with three kinds of fibres strait crooked and transverse that it may both draw contain and expel Now Aristotle thinks these fibres to be nerves and the principle of the nerves to be in the heart but he is deceived its figure is Pyramidal but not absolutely so in brutes but it is more flat then in a man it is placed in the thorax as the safest place and on the left side thereof C This is the shop of the vital faculty and therefore it is rightly called by Aristotle the first thing that lives and â—…he last that dies by its perpetual motion and heat it begets vital spirits for when it is dilated which motion is called Dyastole it allures unto it and draws blood by the benefit of the strait fibres from the vena cava by the venous artery but when it is constringed which is called Systole it sends blood from the right ventricle into the lungs by which they are nourished and that by the venous artery but the vital spirit out of the left by Aorta into the whole body and both ways it converts into vital spirit by attenuating the pure blood into vapour D There are two remarkable ventricles of the heart the right and the left between these there is a partition which distinguishes the one from the other which whereas it is crass and firm it is not rightly called by Aristotle the third side or belly but lest that the passages may seem to be made by this it sends out blood into another ventricle by narrow pores E The lung is called by the Greeks pneumon a pneo which is to breath because it is the organ of breathing therefore the lung ought to consist of such a substance that it may be filled and distended with air like a pair of bellows The primary Cause of which action is its proper substance which helps the motion thereof for when it is dilated it draws air and by the venal artery carries it to the heart by which the heat of the heart is allayed and the vital spirit as with food thereby cherished The figure of the Lung resembles the hoof of an ox which is divided by the Mediastinum into two parts it is the organ of voice which I prove because no animal hath a voice that hath not a lung there are some that say that there are two lungs but truly it is but one divided into two parts the right and the left And again both the parts consist of two Globes the one superior the other inferior sometimes seen open and sometimes shut the use thereof is that it may be moved more nimbly and so amplex the heart more easily CHAP. 13. Of the parts of the Animal faculty 1. VVE have spoken sufficiently of the parts of the middle belly Now we proceed to the organs of the supream region serving the animal faculty and they are such as are â—…ontained in the brain 2. The brain A is a soft part white and medullous fabricated of pure seed and spirit involved as it were in folds compassed about with a thin skin and contained in the cavity of the brain the principle of the animal faculty c. 3. And this is the highest of all the bowels and the next to heaven this is the tower of the senses the highest pinnacle the regiment of the minde 4. For the
poured into the greater veins from the fleshy parts that are already filled and satiated 13. Therefore this blood is laudable and alimentary whose efficient cause is the weakness of the heat of the woman 14. For the female is always more colder then the male therefore she cannot make all the last alâ—…ment and convert it into the substance of the body and therefore by little and little it is sent into the veins of the womb that it may he excerned 15. The time of excretion is not designed but in many it begins at the fourteenth year of their age and ceases about the fiftieth year because then heat grows weak and doth not longer generate the reliques of laudable blood neither can it expel them if they do abound 16. The use of this menstruous blood is very necessary both that it may cause a conception and afterwards nourish after conception 17. Therefore seed is the principle from which as it were the efficient cause the conformation is made from which as from the matter the spermatick parts are generated but blood hath the name of the matter alone and passive principle 18. For of it are both the carnous parts generated and both the spermatick and carnous nourished 19. But to the seed is alotted the nature both of the efficient and matterial principle because it consists of two parts for the efficient is by reason of the Spirits on which on every side is poured the material by reason of the thickness of the body and crassament of which the spermatick parts are generated 20. And the seed is double the one of the male the other of the female but the seed of the male is of greatest force 21. Neither do the Peripateticks altogether deny women to emit seed as Galen and not a few more have exclaimed against them but as they say they do not emit seed as men neither have they such seed 22. For women do put forth seed but not such as men do that is not so crass white and full of spirit 23. For when mans seed is poured out into the womb it is exquisitely mixed with the womans and is as it were in a fruitful field and immediately upon the permixion of the seeds the womb is gathered up together and doth contract it self so close that no empty space be left within 24. Seed so E taken and strictly comprehended is cherished in the womb by its heat and ingenital property exciting its strength lurking within it and stimulates it to act insomuch that it breaks out into action 25. This action of the womb they call conception which is a promotion of the retained seed to duty 26. The Signs of conception F are these a tickling over the whole body upon the meeting of the seeds a retention of the seed if the inward mouth of the womb doth exquisitely shut and open a small pain wandring about the belly if the Tearms be stopped if the brests swell and grow hard a nauseous stomach and frequent vomitings 27. Therefore the spirit of the seeds is used as an instrument for this divine faculty of generation in going to the bottom or centre whereby the work of conception is carried on and of which the conception it self is constituted 28. This work cannot be made without ordination position secretion concretion densation rarefaction extension contraction Arist. 29. Therefore when the spirit begins to act in the substance of the seed consisting of Heterogeneous parts it first divides its dissimilar parts those that are thin and tender and full of spirit it hides within those that are cold and thick which arise from the seed of the woman it covers without 30. The middle and more nobler parts of the seed are puffed up or blowen up by heat and spirit to the effiguration of the members 31. The number of these membranes are yet undetermined we reckon onely three the first whereof is called Amnios which is next to the yong wrapping it from the neck to the feet containing the excrements also with it in which the yong swims as it were 32. The second is called Alantois it is the middle between the first and the third thin and narrow onely going to the middle of the yong and it is the receptacle of urine 33. The third tunicle is called Chorion and it is the outermost covering the whole body of the yong and adheres to the womb by the interposition of the umbilical veins and arteries 34. These 3 membranes mutually connated to themselves do seem to constitute one tunicle which is called by the Latines secundina 35. The interior and subtil part of the seed being encloistered in these and as it were environed the formative vertue and as it were vital spirit of the same seed which contains in potency all parts both similar and instrumental doth coact together and as it were delineated so that the rude exordium of these parts or at least a resemblance of them may be seen which is wont to be made in seven days 36. For when the vital spirit which is the framer of generation is the same and doth act in one and the same moment disposited into the same matter and altered by heat what hinders but that this agent may decline all parts natural once and again 37. Yet there is an order observed in the formation of members I one member is perfected before another 38. And the more nobler and most necessary the first of all the ignobler and least necessary the last of all 39. Therefore the formatrix faculty doth perfect in the first place the spermatick parts of the male in thirty days of the female in forty or fourty two 40. Nor doth it hinder what some learned men do object that so little seed doth not suffice for the constituting of these parts for the sperme is appointed not onely to suffice the formation but the auction also 41. Again if this sperme which proves Abortive or may be known by the section of the living animal be cast into cold water it will scarce exceed the bigness of a large Emmeâ—… 42. The carnous parts are framed after the spermatical delineation from the other principle of generation to wit blood which flows by the navel vein 43. There are three sorts of flesh which grows in the bowels First the flesh 〈◊〉 Secondly the flesh of the Muscles which is called properly and absolutely Flesh Thirdly the peculiar flesh of every part and it is likely that these three sorts of flesh are not generated together but in order 44. For first of all the flesh Parencyma which is the substance of the Liver Spleen and Biters afterwards the peculiar flesh of every part and lastly the flesh of the Muscles 45. And amongst the fleshes Parencymate that of the Liver is the first made because the umbilical vein doth first pour blood into it which concretes after fusion and becomes flesh then that of the heart and lastly that of the rest of the bowels 46. So that the infant begins
to be Dearticulated and absolute after forty five days living at first the imperfect life as it were of a Plant after the manner of an animal and at last the life of a man 47. And this happens not by reason of the form which is simple and individual but by reason of the matter that is of the organs 48. But the embryon takes aliment onely by the navel but after the liver is made it ministers to all the members but it doth not yet move though it hath life by reason of the imbecility of the brain and softness of nerves 49. The weak and tender members of the infant by little and little are dried by heat and so made more solid and then the yong begins to feel by perfect Sensories and by and by to be moved in the womb 50. But a man-childe doth move sooner then a female for boys because they are conformed in thirty days do move on the ninetieth day which compleatly make three moneths but because the female is framed in forty or forty two days she moves not till the hundred and twentieth day which is about the latter end of the fourth moneth 51. And the infant is nourished and doth increase all this space of time and when it is ripe it is brought forth partly by the endeavor of the womb for it being burthened with its weight and abundance of excrements it strives to be exonerated partly by its proper motion for the necessity of breathing the want of aliment and the narrowness of the place do enforce the yong to endeavor a passage out 52. At the time of birth the doors are opened which immediately after delivery are shut again This we see done saith Galen but how it is done we know not onely we may admire it Avicen calls it a work to be wondred at above all wonders 53. The womb being opened the infant begins to come out by the head and by many painful throws it draws out and brings with it three membranes and thus by the prescript of nature are we born into the world 54. The time of bringing forth is not fully defined nor can it for some are delivered at seven moneths end some at nine and most then some at ten but seldom and very seldom at eleven but in the eighth moneths end seldom any are delivered with a live childe 55. And this is the manner of the Conception Conformation and Procreation of the noblest of Creatures The Commentary A THe definition of a Man delivered consists of a Genus and Difference As to the Genus he is an animal and as to the Difference one endowed with reason And in this it is that man hath a Prerogative Dignity and Excellency above all other Creatures for his minde which is Divine is the Image of God and he differs much from other animals and as it were exercises a regality over them for are not Lyons and Elephants tamed by the strength of man and overcome and made subject to him Man is created with his face looking up to Heaven as it were contemplating upon God Hence Ovid could say Pronaque cum spectent animalia caetera terram Os homini sublime dedit caelumque tueri Jussit erectos ad sidera tollere vultus For whereas God created all other animals with their faces downwards to the ground man alone he erects with his eyes fixed upon heaven whither he should tend B The generation of man is made after this manner the seed of both Sexes being perfectly mixed the whole doth proceed from thence therefore the matter of the generation of mans Body is the seed both of the man and the woman plentiful and fruitful This seed doth consist of two parts watrish Humidity and Spirit the watrish Humidity proceeds from the blood whence Aristotle affirms blood to be a profitable excrement of the last aliment that is of the sanguineous aliment I say it is an excrement not supervacaneous in its nature or substance as Stones and Worms nor in its quality as Dung Sweat c. but onely in its abundance or quantity for because it superabounds from nourishing the parts of the body and cannot be assimilated thereunto it obtains the place of an excrement C The spiritual part of seed is no other thing then the vital Spirit which by reason of this Spirit it becomes hot and sometimes this Spirit is ingendred in the heart and thence sent out into the whole body so doth the Seed also according to the Spirit proceed from the whole because the Spirit is communicated from the heart to the whole Hence Aristotle saith if the Seed did not proceed from every part of the animal the cause of the similitude were false therefore seed ejected by the yard into the womb becomes fruitful when it is exquisitely mixed with the womans seed and it is the principal motion that is the first agent for the formotion of the yong by reason of the spirits contained in it For this going to the bottom as to its centre is cherished and preserved and so proceeds to action as to formation all which things are necessary for the framing of the yong for besides the seed of the man and the woman it is necessary that this vital spirit concur to the conception because the seed of man cannot besmear all the parts of the womb which else will impede conception and if the seed of the woman be onely present that will not cause conception by reason of its imperfection for the seed of man is more hot then womans and although this seed be not so perfect yet it concurs as an agent to the formation although not as the first agent for as Galen observes the mixture of the seed of man and woman is perfect seed whence Aristotle saith that what arises from the seed of man and woman do arise from contraries as when there are contraries in the same Genus and although each seed according to Aristotle is in its Genus an agent yet they do not act alike in power and strength but differ in these functions magis minus the seed of the woman doth concur as the matter of which both by reason of the seed of man which is its aliment for mans seed is nourished and made more perfect by womans seed as also by reason of the membranes which are produced out of it But in this place we may take notice what the Peripateticks in a manner aledge that the woman emits no seed but they are basely and injuriously dealt withall it is an aspersion cast upon them by some later Philosophers because Aristotle saith That the seed of the woman is not so crass while hot and full of spirit as the seed of man but he doth not say that women emit no seed at all D Besides the seed of both Sexes the menstruous blood of the woman concurs to generation it is called menstruous blood because it is an excrement yet it differs from that blood whereby a woman is