Mikrokosmographia a description of the body of man. Together vvith the controuersies thereto belonging. Collected and translated out of all the best authors of anatomy, especially out of Gasper Bauhinus and Andreas Laurentius. By Helkiah Crooke Doctor of Physicke, physitian to His Maiestie, and his Highnesse professor in anatomy and chyrurgerie. Published by the Kings Maiesties especiall direction and warrant according to the first integrity, as it was originally written by the author.

An Elegant diuision of Parts into Similar and Dissimilar, and an exquisite interpretation of the same. CHAP. XX.

THE most frequent diuision of the parts among Philosophers and Physitions both, is into Similar and Dissimilar, which is also the most necessary for the exquisite disquisition and distinction of diseases. The Similar parts, Plato first called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, first borne, because according to the order of generation, they are after a sort before the compound parts; and because they * 1.1 are the first Stamina, threds, or warp of the body. Aristotle calleth them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, simple and vncompounded parts, because they are not compounded of o∣ther parts, or else 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, in respect of the compounded: for they are not indeede and truely simple, for the body of the Creature being not simple; neither can the parts of it be truely simple.

First Anaxagoras, and after him Aristotle, brought in the name 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 * 1.2 of similitude, whence they are called Similar, because they haue one and a like substance. Some call them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, continuall Partes, because they are continually the same both in matter and forme. Others call them Informes, without forme, but wee thinke it better to call them vniforme parts. Aristotle called them sensorias, because that * 1.3 which is Similar is capable of sensible obiects, and all sence originally proceedeth from the similar parts. Galen calleth them sometimes sensible Elements, because they appeare * 1.4 to the sences most simple and vncompounded; sometimes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, the least particles. Sometimes the first, sometimes the last bodies; First, in respect of their composition; last, because into these, the body is dissolued as into the least parts that may bee perceiued by the perceiuing sences. Some call them Solid, not because they are con∣stant, euer consisting and neuer diffluent (for then the flesh should be no Similar part) but because they are euery way full and compleate. The common people call that Solid, which is hard, dense, or compacted; for water or a spunge, they will neuer acknowledge to bee * 1.5 solid: but the Philosoper calleth that solid, which is wholly full of it selfe, and of no other thing, which is of a like or of the same nature; so the fire in his owne globe, and the Hea∣uen (although they bee most rare and subtile bodies) yet true Philosophers will call them solid bodies. Hippocrates calleth them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, contayning Parts: but enough of the * 1.6 name, now let vs come to the essence of the similar parts.

A Similar part may haue a double consideration, one in respect of the matter, an other in respect of the forme: if you regard the matter, which is altogether one and the same, in * 1.7 all partes likevnto it selfe; then shall similar partes bee defined according to Aristotle, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which are deuided into parts like vnto themselues, according to Galen. All whose particles are like to themselues and to the whole: Or which are deuided into parts not differing specie, or in kinde. If you respect the forme of the similar parts, then they shall be defined, Such as haue a vniforme figure. For, because the forme giueth the proper deno∣mination to euery thing, that shall be called similar, which hath a similitude or likenesse of forme and figure. In the first consideration or respect, euery particle of the similar part retayneth the name of the whole, but not in the latter: so the bone of the Leg because of the similitude of the matter is vniforme, but if you respect his figure, then are not all his parts of the same nature, for euery little particle of that bone is not hollow, though the whole bone be hollow. Hence we may gather that euery similar part may bee sayd to be * 1.8 organicall, and that they do not well who oppose similar and organicall parts for deuiding members, as we say in Schooles: for among Philosophers, the nature of the part and of the whole is the same. The whole body is organicall, because the soule is an act of an or∣ganicall body.

The essence of the similar parts seemeth to consist of an vncertaine medley of the Ele∣ments, * 1.9

and a temper of the foure first qualities, heate, cold, moysture, and drought. And therefore the Physitians say, the Temper is the forme of the similar parts, because it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The first receiuer and the first power with which, and by which, the forme wor∣keth; and the similar part, as it is similar, suffereth whatsoeuer the forme worketh. So Nu∣trition, which is the common action of the similar parts, is inchoated or begun by the tem∣per alone, by it perfected, and plenarily and perfectly accomplished by euery particle of the part.

The differences of the similar parts, are some of them belonging to the Philosopher, * 1.10 some to the Physitian. The Philosopher raiseth his differences from the first qualities, and those which follow the temper. The Physitian from the sensible and materiall principles of generation. The first qualities are indeed foure, but because heat and cold are certain acts, * 1.11 and an acte is according to it selfe indiuisible, therefore the Philosopher raiseth his diffe∣rences only from the diuersity of drowth and moisture. Wherefore Aristotle maketh si∣milar parts, some dry, some moist. The moyst are either properly so called, that is, such as of their owne nature cannot containe themselues within their owne termini or limits, and therefore do stand in neede of conceptacles or receptacles, as the bloud; or else are softe, which do better contain themselues within their bounds, as flesh. The dry are those whose Superficies or Surface is pressed, and yeeldeth either not at all, or very hardly: and such he calleth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, solid parts; of which he maketh two kinds. Some are fra∣gile or brittle, which cannot be bent without the dissolution of the part, as Bones; others, are tough or stretching, which may bee bent and extended without dissolution, as Liga∣ments and Membranes.

The Physitians do gather the differences of similar parts, from the sensible and mate∣riall Principles of generation. There are two materiall principles, the Crassament or sub∣stance * 1.12 of the seede (for onely the spirits or the workemen) and Bloud: and therfore some parts are spermaticall, and some fleshy. The first are immediately generated out of the Crassament of the seede, the latter of bloud: the first in growne and olde men, do hardlie revnite 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, according to the first intention, as we vse to speake, because of the weaknesse of the efficient; (for they are colde) because of the vnapt disposition of the matter, whose affluence is no confluence, that is, it floweth not together-ward and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, at once; & because it must passe through many and diuerse alterations; ad heereto the sic∣city and hardnesse of the parts; for dry things do not easily admit a vnion or consolidation, and the Philosopher in all mixtion requireth a watery moisture, that by it as by Glue all partes may be vnited. On the contrary, fleshie parts, because they are hotter, softer, and nourished with bloud little or nothing at all altered, do presently revnite and close toge∣ther, sometimes without any meane immediately; sometimes per medium homogeneum, that is, by a thing of the same kinde.

There are diuers differences of spermaticall and fleshy parts. For the seede, though it seeme to be similar, vniforme, and euery where like it selfe, yet hath it parts of a different * 1.13 Nature, some thicker, some thinner, some fat, some slimie, some fit for stretching, others for concretion, or to be gathered together. Whilst therefore the procreating vertue wor∣keth vpon that part of the seede which can extend it selfe, it maketh Membranes, Veines, Arteries and Nerues; when vpon that which is fitter for concretion, it formeth bones and gristles; when the fat is more then the glutinous matter, then are bones & gristles formed.

Againe, Galen obserueth in the spermaticall parts, a double substance, that which is tru∣ly * 1.14 solid, and that which is fleshy; the first may be moistned, but not restored; the other is as it were a concreted or congealed liquor, cleauing to the solid Fibres. There are three kinds of fleshy parts, three sorts of flesh. One Flesh properly so called, to wit, that of the Mus∣cles, which therefore Hippocrates calleth absolutely 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, Flesh. There is another flesh of the Bowels or inward parts, which we call enteralles and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as it were an affusion or confluence of blood. There is also another flesh of the particular parts.

We will adde a third diuision of similar parts, into Common and Proper. I call those * 1.15 Common, which make and constitute many parts compounded of an vnlike and different Nature, as the Bones, Gristles, Ligaments, Membranes, Flesh, Nerues, Veines and Ar∣teries. Of which, the first fiue are truly similar, the others only according to sence; for the inner substance of a nerue is medullous, the outward membranous. I call those Proper, which do make the substance onely of one part, and such as is not found elsewhere; such are the marrowy substance of the Braine, the cristalline and glassy humors of the eye. Of all

similar parts there is a double necessity: one, that of them dissimilar parts may be com∣pounded; * 1.16 the other I find in Auerrhoes, that they may be the seat of the Sensatiue vertues, for all sence commeth by the similar parts.

To the similar part, we oppose the dissimilar; for as the similar part is, or may bee di∣uided into particles of a like, so dissimilar into particles of an vnlike or different kinde: as the particles of the similar part retaine the name of the whole, so the particles of dissimilar parts haue no names at all. Wherefore we define dissimilar parts to be; such as are deui∣ded into parts of a different nature and diuerse kinde. These the Physitians 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 by way of exellence doe call Organicall, because their action is more perfect and euident, as also because the neatnes of the figure, the magnitude, number and scituation (which foure accomplish the Nature of an organ) do more plainly appeare in compounded parts then in simple; so that both in respect of the forme and of the actions; they are more properly called the Organs of the Soule; for the forme of the similar parts is the Temper; of dissimi∣lar * 1.17 a laudable conformation: now conformation doth better answere the functions of the soule, then doth the Temper, because the soule is defined to be an act of an organicall body. The action of the similar is Naturall, to wit, Nutrition, as beeing manifest euen in plants; the action of the dissimilar part is Animall, and therefore that is sayde to bee the action of Nature, this of the Soule. Furthermore, I define an organ (with the ancients) to be a part of the Creature which can performe a perfect action; by perfect I vnderstand proper: * 1.18 for the action of the similar parts is common, not proper. Galen maketh foure orders of or∣gans or instruments; the first is such as are most simple, which consist onely of similars, as * 1.19 the muscles. The second are those that are composed of the first, as fingers. The third are such as are made of the second, as the hand. The fourth are such as are made of the third, * 1.20 as the arme. Againe, in euery perfect organ we may obserue foure kindes of parts; The first is of those by which the action is originally performed; where these are, there is also the faculty; and therefore they are said to bee the principall parts of the organ; such is the Christalline humor in the eye, for it onely is altered by colours, and receiueth the images of visible things. The second kind is of those without which the action is not performed, and these doe not respect the action primarily and of themselues, but the necessity of the * 1.21 action; such are in the eye, the opticke nerue, the glassie humour, and the albuginious, which is like the white of an egge. The third kinde is of those by which the action is bet∣ter performed; and these respect the perfection of the action, and therefore are called Hel∣pers, such are in the eye, the coates and the muskles, which moue and turne the eyes with a wonderfull volubility. The last kinde is of those parts which doe conserue or preserue the action; these are the causes that all the rest do worke safely; & they respect the action, not as it is an action simply, but as it is to continue and indure; such in the eyes, are the browes, lids and orbe of the eye; and this is the nature of dissimilar and organicall parts. But that we might not passe ouer anything, wee will adde this one for a complement; that * 1.22 of dissimilar parts, some are such by the first institution of nature, as the hands and the feet, from which if you take all the similar parts, you shall reduce them into nothing; others are dissimilar secondarily, because of the implications and textures of veines, arteries, and si∣newes in them, as the Heart, the Braine, and the Liuer; for if you take from the Braine the common similar parts, yet there will remaine the proper substance of the Braine.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Al the names of the similar parts. Plato. Aristotle.
• * 1.2

  Anaxagoras. Aristotle.
• * 1.3

  Aristotle.
• * 1.4

  Galen.
• * 1.5

  What is a so∣lid part.
• * 1.6

  Hippocrates
• * 1.7

  A similar part hath a double consideration. A definition of a similar part. Aristotle. Galen.
• * 1.8

  Euery similar part may be said to be or∣ganical. Membra diui∣dentia.
• * 1.9

  The essence
• * 1.10

  The differen∣ces of similar parts.
• * 1.11

  A Philosophi∣call diuision of them into moyst & drie. Aristotle.
• * 1.12

  The Physitiās diuision of them into spermaticall and fleshy.
• * 1.13

  The differen∣ces of sper∣matical parts.
• * 1.14

  Galen. In spermati∣call parts ther is a double substance. Three sorts of flesh. Hippocrates
• * 1.15

  A third diuisi∣on of the si∣milar parts.
• * 1.16

  The necessity & vse of simi∣lar parts. Auerrhoes. What is a dis∣similar part.
• * 1.17

  The dissimilar parts are ra∣ther the in∣struments of the soule then the similar.
• * 1.18

  What an Or∣gan is.
• * 1.19

  Foure orders of Organs.
• * 1.20

  In a perfect Organ there are 4. kinds of parts.
• * 1.21

  Perse.
• * 1.22

  Another diul∣sion of dissi∣milar parts.