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.

CHAP. XV. Of the spinall Marrow or pith of the Backe.

THE name of Marrow is properly attributed to that substance which is sim∣ple and vniforme, moist, fat, white, without sense contained in the Cauity of * 1.1 bones and hath his original from the bloud; which through the veines slideth by secret pores and passages into their hollownesse or spungy sides. It be∣commeth white and as it were spermaticall by a mutation it receiueth from the bones, because in them it is stored to be their proper nourishment and to refresh them when they are heated and dryed by motion or other violent causes.

But of this marrow we do not intreat at this time: the name is improperly giuen to the Braine also and the pith of the Backe: For the Braine it selfe is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 me∣dulla * 1.2 cerebralis the Marrow of the Braine, because saith Plato the substance thereof is mar∣rowye, although there be great difference betweene them, for that it will not melt and consume as marrow doth, and beside is inuested or clothed with both Membranes the thicke and the thin meninx.

Moreouer to distinguish it from ordinary marrow, it is called by Galen 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Spinalis. By Hippocrates in his book de Carnibus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Dorsalis, by others Ceruicalis and Lumbaris, * 1.3 because it descendeth through the Neck, the Backe and the Loynes, and filleth the whole spine or Ridge-bone.

Now there is a double acceptation of the Spinall marrow, for in the larger signification it signifieth the whole marrow of the Brain lengthened out, one part wherof is yet contai∣ned in the Scull, [Tab. 17, fig. 1. from^D to^E] the other continuall with the former yssueth at * 1.4 the great hole of the Nowle-bone and descendeth to the very end of the ridge. [Tab. 16. fig. 1. from^A to^H]

But in a strict & more proper acceptation it betokeneth that part of the marrow which without the Scull is contayned in all the racke-bones or vertebrae of the spine or chine. [ta. 16. fig. 1. is an expresse Image of it] Wherefore that it may bee free from all ambiguity, the history thereof is on this manner.

That which is commonly called the Braine, that is, the whole substance included with∣in the Scull we haue diuided into the Shell and the Kernell or Marrow. For these two differ in colour and consistence. That which on euery side compasseth the marrow is Ash-coloured; * 1.5 the marrow it selfe is white and of a more solid, fast and compacted substance: and these two parts in greene or fresh heads are distinguished by many oblique lines, so that with a raysor they may be separated if a man haue a steddy and cunning hand, yet not without breaking both the substances; so that Archangelus said well, that the white was drowned in the Ash-coloured as the christalin humor of the eye is in the glassie; and as the * 1.6 glassie humor is esteemed to be the Aliment of the christaline, so the Ash-coloured sub∣stance may well be thought to be the foode of the white, because the Ash-coloured ap∣peareth so to be by reason of innumerable veines disseminated through it.

The marrow it selfe may be said to be double, one Globous or round, the other Long. The Globous part which is like the figure of the Scull, is of a great bulke and therein are * 1.7 ventricles excauated or hollowed. At this and continuall with it hangeth the other cal∣led Cerebellum of which we haue intreated in the Chapter going before according to the receiued opinion of Anatomists.

The Long marrow of the Braine which is like a Pith or staffe may bee diuided into that part which is contained within the Scull, and that which is yssued out which properly is * 1.8 called the spinall marrow; although some there are that giue this name vnto all the Long marrow of the Braine as well within the Scull as without; and this is it of which wee now speake.

The Spinall Marrow therefore according to this large signification taketh his begin∣ning * 1.9 (as Galen saith in the tenth chapter of his 8. book de vsu partium) from the backe ven∣tricle of the Braine; for he thought it nothing else but the Braine lengthened, which may seeme to agree with the Scripture which calleth it The siluer cord. And this, hee saith in the * 1.10

twelfth chapter of the former book, is continuated onely with the Braine at the Basis ther∣of.

There be many opinions of the originall of this spinall marrow, we will reckon vnto you the most notable.

* 1.11 The first is that of Hippocrates in his booke de Carnibus, where he saith in general words that it ariseth from the Braine. Galen more particularly and distinctly from the hinder ven∣tricle of the Braine. The common opinion is that it ariseth out of the Cerebellum or Af∣ter-braine. Vesalius saies from the Basis or foundation of the Braine. Archangelus from the Globous part of the marrow of the Braine, betwixt the Braine it selfe and the Cerebel∣lum; for those that say it hath a double beginning say as much as nothing. Platerus think∣eth that it proceedeth like a new Long Braine from the Basis of the other and receiueth increase of strength from the Cerebellum also. Columbus saith it is nothing else but a Long * 1.12 Braine hauing a double beginning, the one greater from the braine it selfe, the other lesser from the after braine. The beginning it hath from the braine is but single, that it hath from the after-braine is double and as it were forked into a right and a left. The greater originall is from the forepart of the braine but a little distant from the Region of the Op∣ticke sinewes, and therefore, saith he, I am constrained to confesse that the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. paires of sinewes do not arise from the braine but from the spinall marrow.

Varollius who indeed was excellent in dissecting of the head saith, that there yssue from the braine and the Cerebellum foure roots making one notable trunke which they call the * 1.13 spinall marrow, out of which do yssue Nerues deriued vnto all the parts of the body. Lau∣rentius is also of the same opinion. The truth is, that it is a production as well of the braine it selfe as of the after-braine out of which it proceedeth as a stemme from the roote, which * 1.14 we shall more particularly shew afterward.

This spinall marrow lying vnder the Cerebellum to which it is continewed, taketh vp * 1.15 that hollownes of the Scull which is aboue the great perforation or hole in the bone of the Nowle or backpart of the head; and the beginning thereof for the length of foure fingers * 1.16 breadth cleaueth to the braine within the Scull, [Table 17, fig. 1. from^D to^F] the latitude and depth of that originall are so aequall that it appeareth almost circular neere the quan∣tity and forme of an Hens Egge as Archangelus saith; and from this originall those Nerues which are accounted the proper sinewes of the braine together with the Organs of smel∣ling are produced and deriued into the Instrument of the fiue senses as Varollius, Plater, Ar∣changelus, Laurentius, and Dominicus do ioyntly agree.

But the spinall marrow properly so called or the other part of it which is continuall with the former [Table 16, fig. 1.] is wholy without the Scull. For when the marrow of * 1.17 the braine now lengthened attaineth vnto the great perforation in the Nowle-bone [Tab. 13, fig. 17.^H] it discendeth and passeth along through the holes of the racke-bones euen to the end of the os sacrum or holy bone. It passeth I say through the bones themselues, least being soft and like the substance of the braine as Galen speaketh, it should in the length * 1.18 of his production suffer violence by those things which might light vpon it, whereas now the bones are as it were a safe conduct and firme defence thereunto all the way that it pas∣seth.

* 1.19 And hence it is, that the Graecians call this perforated part of the spine, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sa∣cram fistulam the holy pipe. Sacred or holy because it containeth a principall part, and a pipe because it is as it were fistulated or bored, through which Cauity such a substance is transported as where from all the other Nerues are produced.

It is inuested or clothed with three membranes which Hippoc. in his booke de Arte calleth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The first of which, according to Galen, arisieth from a strong ligament exactly faste∣ning * 1.20 the foreparts of the vertebrae or rackebones, which ligament in the backpart determi∣neth into a Neruous and strong coate, least in the bending or extention of the spine it should be broken or offended by the bones; because it is contained not as the braine in any immouable bone, but in rack-bones, which are not only moued but also sometimes some∣what dislocated. Wherefore the Nerues also which arise from the spinall marrow pro∣perly so called (least they should bee offended by the hardnes of the bones through which they passe) are clothed beside the two Menings with this third coate also.

About this is a thicke and slimy humor powred, as also about all the ioynts and parts * 1.21 that were to be moued; least being ouer dried they should suffer paine, and so their actions or functions be interrupted; which wisedome of Nature men doe imitate when about the

Axle-trees of Carts and Coaches they smeare a soft and viscous grease that they might more currantly moue.

The second membrane ariseth from the dura mater or hard Meninx; the third from * 1.22 the pia mater or thinne Meninx [Tab. 16. figure 1. expresseth the coates ioyned together] which two are not separated as they bee in the braine: moreouer the thicker secureth the marrow from the bones, the thinner infoldeth his vessels and closely bindeth together his soft substance, for through the thinne membrane the veines and arteries which nourish * 1.23 the marrow and supply it with vitall spirites are conuayed; which vesselles we haue obser∣ued to proceede from the veines and arteries of the loynes as wee haue already shewed in the third Booke.

The substance of this spinall marrow is all one with that of the Basis of the braine, or rather of the globus marrow. VVherefore it is somewhat hard, compacted and white, yet * 1.24 so that it is much harder then the braine it selfe. And Galen in diuers places of his ninth * 1.25 Booke de vsu partium sayth, that this spinall marrow is the originall of the harder nerues, as the forepart of the braine is of the softer: for to the strength of motion a harder producti∣on was more behoofefull; and for the exactnes of sence a softer. Note againe that the fur∣ther it is distant from the braine, by so much it is harder and more compact; neither is it answerable to the colour and hardnes of the Cerebellum. For the Cerebellum or After-brain is onely white in the surface of his ventricle, other-where it is yellowish or Ash-coloured; but the spinall marrow is very white most like to the marrow of the braine, sauing that it is without any contortions or conuolutions, because it is made onely to receiue and not fur∣ther to labour that it hath receiued.

VVith the Braine it hath these things common; first his substance; secondly that it is an * 1.26 originall of sinewes (Ga. addeth of all sinewes) and is compassed with both the Meninges. Yet heerein they say it doeth not communicate with it, because the braine (though it bee contayned within an immouable bone) yet beateth and is moued; wheras this marrow al∣beit be contayned within mouable spondels or rack-bones is not it selfe at all moued. But if that motion bee in the substance of the braine by an in-bred faculty, and the spinall mar∣row hath the same nature and substance that the braine hath, me thinks it should bee reaso∣nable that this marrow should be moued in like manner as the braine is moued, albeit our sence is not apprehensiue of it. And truely Archangelus conceiueth that it hath a moti∣on, and when it is dilated receiueth Animall spirits from the fourth ventricle, and when it is contracted powreth them againe forth into the nerues which arise there-from.

The figure of it is long, thicke and large at the originall, [Table 17. figure 1. from^D to * 1.27 ^• tab. 16. fig. 2. from^A to^B] and though being gathered together it become somewhat nar∣rower, yet is it not (as some thinke) by little and little continually attenuated till it come to the extremity of the os sacrum: for as far as the vertebrae of the loynes [table 16. fig. 1. from ^• to^•] it keepeth an equall thicknesse almost; although Galen and Vesalius did thinke that it was consumed as it sent more nerues out from it. Fallopius in his obseruations and Platerus doe not thinke that it groweth lesse at all. Yet we must needes acknowledge that we find it fuller & thicker in the neck whence those great nerues issue which are dispersed through the armes, [Table 16. fig. 1. from^I to^K] and in the loynes whence proceede the great nerues of the loynes which descend vnto the thighes; [tab. 16. fig. 1. from^B to^C] and that afterward when it commeth nearer to the os sacrum his marrowy substance is somewhat abated.

A cauity or Sinus there is formed in it presently after his originall whilest it yet remai∣neth * 1.28 within the Skull; which is like a writing pen, and therefore it is called Calamus scripto∣torius [Table 12. fig. 10.^MNO] for it is hollowed into a poynt or neb becomming lesse by de∣grees, because in that place there are no more excrements.

This cauity maketh the middle part of the fourth ventricle of the braine; for the rest of the ventricle is formed by the After-braine [table 15. figure 21.^H] at which place the After-braine is ioyned to this marrow. [Table 15. fig. 21.^GG is ioyned to^BC as also in the 12. tab. and fig. 10.] Archangelus conceiueth that this cauity is vnder the fourth ventricle and con∣tinued * 1.29 with it, and that out of the fourth ventricle into it the Animall spirits doe flow, and that from this cauity they are distributed most what into all the fiue sences.

And although the marrow be but single and seemeth to haue no manifest cauity, yet in the very middest it is deuided into two parts by the thinne Meninx as far as to the rack-bones of the loynes; so that on either side there appeareth a little cauity which may not onely be demonstrated in the marrow of an Oxe if it bee lightly boyled, but also as sayeth

[illustration]

Table 16. Figure 1. sheweth the true forme of the spinall marrow properly so called, toge∣ther with his membranes & the nerues proceeding from the same.

[illustration]

Figure 2. sheweth the spinal marrow naked & bare, as it appeareth both within the Skull & without, together with his nerues as most part of the Anatomistes heretofore haue described it.

[illustration]

TABVLA. XVI

[illustration]

FIG. II.

[illustration]

FIG. I.

• A, The beginning of the spinall marrowe where it fals out of the skull.
• B, the thicknesse thereof in the spondels or rack-bones of the loynes.
• C, the diuision thereof into strings, or hairy threds.
• D, the seauen nerues of the necke.
• From D to E or from 7, to 19, shewe the nerues of the backe.
• From E to F, the nerues of the loynes,
• From F to G, the nerues of the os sacrum or holy bone.
• H, the end of the marrow.
• I K L, doe shew howe the nerues doe yssue from the marrow in strings.
• MM, the knots of the sinewes made of the coniunction of those strings.
• N O, the membranes that inuest the mar∣row.

[illustration]

Figure 2.

• A, the beginning of the spinall marrow in the skull.
• 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. These Characters shew (accor∣ding to Vesalius opinion) how the cōiu∣gations of the nerues of the braine doe take their originall from the marrow re∣mayning yet within the skull.
• B, the egresse of the spinall marrow out of the skull.
• C, the cords or strings whereinto it is diui∣ded.
• D 7, the marrow of the neck and seuen paire of sinewes.
• E 19 twelue pairs or coniugations of nerues proceeding from the marrowe of the Chest.
• F 24, the marrow of the loynes and 5. paire of sinewes.
• G 30, the marrow of the holy-bone and 6, paire of sinewes.
• H, the extremity or end of the spinall mar∣row.

Platerus in a mans, because it may bee parted asunder without laceration. Archangelus thinks this cauity to be sufficiently manifest to the eye; we are sure to the vnderstanding it is most apparant, by that we finde in those that are troubled with the Palsie, in whome some∣times one side sometimes another is alone affected. Howsoeuer the marrow appearing simple and vndeuided passeth through the whole necke and the Chest euen vnto the loines and lower; [Tab. 16. fig. 1. from ^A to ^B] and in his passage it scattereth nerues out of his sides: afterward, that is, at the rest of the loynes it is no more simple but deuided into many smal threds and filaments, very much resembling a horse tayle and so runneth on to the end of the os sacrum. For as it began with the spine (wee meane the marrow properly so called) so it determineth therewith, sometimes simple sometimes deuided into three short surcles. For * 1.30 it was necessary that in that part where the spine was especially curued or bent backward or forward, it should be diuersly diuided that it might not be compressed by the vertebrae. Hence the reason appeareth why a hurt or annoyance in the lower part of the spinall mar∣row is worse and more dangerous then in the vpper, because below it is more Neruous a∣boue more marrowy.

Now although the Nerues yssuing from the spinall marrow be almost infinite, yet ac∣cording * 1.31 to the number of the out-lets or holes of the vertebrae they are said to be so many coniugations as the vertebrae haue holes. For euery Nerue doth indeed consist of many hairy strings or marrowy fibres, which by the helpe of the Membranes at the holes of the

vertebrae are conioyned and making as it were a knot do yssue outof the bone; so that one Nerue seemeth to be made of one propagation, [Table 16. the first figure sheweth it at ^{L L}] which thing as it is true in those Nerues which proceede out of the Marrow whilest it is simple and angle, so is it also in them which after the diuision are distributed into the lo∣wer parts. [Table 16, fig. 1, at ^{M M}]

To put an end to our discription of the spinall marrow, we will take leaue to insert in this placea description therof out of Rondeletius and Laurentius which is on this manner * 1.32 All the Nerues, (saith Rondeletius) which no man before me hath obserued, are diuided frō the very beginning of the spinall marrow in the Brain. Wherfore the cause of the Paralysis or Palsie doth not so much proceed from the marrow of the backe as from the very heads of the sinewes; & thence it is that Galen so often repeareth that the Palsie hapneth when the heads of the sinewes are eyther obstructed or resolued. Thus Rondeletius hath it in his chap. of the Palsie. Laurentius thus: All Anatomies haue hitherto beene ignorant of the origi∣nall and propagation of the Nerues of the spinall marrow; for they al thinke that the nerues * 1.33 of the necke come onely from the marrow of the necke; the nerues of the backe from the marrow of the backe, and of the Loynes from the marrow of the Loynes. But how misera∣bly they haue bin mistakē, is conuinced by a new and vnheard of obseruation of mine own. Separate therefore the marrow from the rack-bones but keepe it whole, then take from it both the Membranes wherewith it is compassed, cast it into water and shake it a little, and you shall perceiue that the whole marrow from the top to the bottome is made of innu∣merable surcles and filaments, like a Horse tayle composed of infinite hayres; and that the * 1.34 nerues of os sacrum do arise from the same beginning with the nerues that are aboue. This new and admirable obseruation maketh plaine an obscure probleme, why, when the mar∣row of the neck is offended the motion of the thigh is sometimes taken away, when as the motion of the armes and of the Chest is not at al vitiated; thus far Laurentius. To conclude.

The vse of the spinall marrow properly so called, is saith Galen in his twelfth booke de vsu * 1.35 partium, that from it as from one other brain there should proceed many nerues as it were small riuerets which might conuey the Animall faculty, sense, motion and the Animall spi∣rit; which they receiue by continuation from the braine (to the parts vnder the head) excep∣ting those whereto are transmitted certaine propagations from the sixt payre [table 17 fig. 1, and 2, ^e] of the marrow of the braine, which also are disseminated through the middle and lower bellies. For, because it was no safe, in consideration of the length of the way, that all the nerues should be transported vnto the inferior parts from the marrow of the braine contained in the Scull; and yet it was necessary that those inferior parts should be supply∣ed with voluntary motion and sense to apprehend annoyances: it was most requisite that from this marrow, as from the braine elongated or produced, those sinewes should be deri∣ued; for if a man had wanted motion hee had beene more like an Image then a creature. And thus much of the vse of the marrow properly so called. But if you take it in the larger signification, then the vse of it is, that from it where it is included within the Scull on both sides should yssue seauen Coniugations or payres of nerues, (as is commonly thought) we say eight, which are called the nerues of the braine, [table 15, fig. 20, ^{• G H I K M N O}] together with the Organs of smelling. [table 14, fig. 19, ^{D •}] But as it consisteth in the spine without the Scul there are produced there-from thirty paire [table 16, fig. 1] euen al the nerues that passe through the whole body. And thus much of both the braines and the spinall mar∣row, now it followeth that we should intreat of the nerues yssuing there-from.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What true marrow is.
• * 1.2

  Why the Braine is cal∣led marrow. Plate.
• * 1.3

  The names of the pith.
• * 1.4

  A double ac∣ceptation of the spinall marrow.
• * 1.5

  The parts of the Braine.
• * 1.6

  Archangelus. An elegant Comparison.
• * 1.7

  The marrow double. Globous.
• * 1.8

  Long.
• * 1.9

  The originall of the spinal marrow.
• * 1.10

  Ecclesiastea.
• * 1.11

  Diuers opini∣ons. Hippocrates opinion. Galen. The common opinion. Vesalius. Archangelus. Platerus.
• * 1.12

  Columbus.
• * 1.13

  Varollius.
• * 1.14

  Laurentius.
• * 1.15

  The seimatiō
• * 1.16

  and propor∣tion thereof.
• * 1.17

  The spinall Marrow pro∣perly so cal∣led.
• * 1.18

  Galen.
• * 1.19

  His course.
• * 1.20

  The 3. Mem∣branes of the Marrow. The first.
• * 1.21

  The vse of the humor.
• * 1.22

  The second and third Membrane.
• * 1.23

  The vessels of the marrow.
• * 1.24

  His substance.
• * 1.25

  Galen.
• * 1.26

  What it hath common with the Braine.
• * 1.27

  The figure.
• * 1.28

  His cauity. Calamus scrip∣torius.
• * 1.29

  Archangelus.
• * 1.30

  How it may be saide to be deuided and where.
• * 1.31

  Whereof his nerues are made & how they yssue.
• * 1.32

  Rondeletius.
• * 1.33

  Laurentius.
• * 1.34

  A hard pro∣bleme explai∣ned.
• * 1.35

  The vse of the spinal marow