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.

QVEST. VIII. Argenterius his opinion concerning the Animall spirit confuted.

ARgenterius an accute Scholler indeed, but whose pen especially against Galē yeeldeth too much gall, in his booke de somno et vigilia, and in his Com∣mentaries in artem medicinalem auoucheth, that there is but one spirit & that Vitall, neither will he bee brought to admit any Animall spirit at all. And first as his custome is, he inueigheth bitterly against his Maister Galen accu∣sing him sometimes of leuity and inconstancy, sometimes of ignorance. Of inconstan∣cy * 1.1 in his assignation of the matter and the place of generation of the Animall spirit. In the matter, because sometimes he writeth that it is made of the ayre we breathe in, some∣times of the vitall spirits, sometimes of bloud. In the place of generation, because hee assigneth it sometimes to bee generated in the Textures or complications of the Braine, sometimes in the forward ventricles, sometimes in the backward, sometimes that it is con∣tained in the body and substance of the braine.

But Argenterius wit was to nimble to fasten vpon the depth of Galens iudgement, which if he had well attended he should not haue found repugnancy in him. For the most re∣mote * 1.2 matter of the Animall spirit is bloud, the neerer matter is vitall spirit, the neerest of al is ayre inspired or breathed through the mammillary processes, & conuaighed not into the textures but into the vpper ventricle. And as the matter, so also the place of their gene∣ration is manifold; for they are prepared in the Textures & vpper ventricles, boyled in the third and perfitted in the fourth or in the substance of the braine. Finally, they are diffused into the nerues, and from them conueighed into the bodye.

He accuseth Galen of ignorance, because from the Net-like texture he gathereth that ther is an Animall spirit, because saieth Argenterius, neyther is that Texture conspicuous in a * 1.3 man, neyther is there alwayes required a complication of vessels where there is any spirit generated. For in the heart where the vitall spirit is aboundantly generated there is no such admirable web of vessels.

But Argenterius was so headily transported with a desire of contradiction, that he did not obserue the tenor of Galens Argument; for he neuer concludeth that therefore there * 1.4 is an Animall spirit because in the braine the vessels are intangled and interbrayded one

with another, but he saith that this spirit is irrigated or watered & nourished by that which that Net-like web supplyeth vnto it as we haue read in the 5. chapter of the 12, booke of his Method, and in his 7. booke de placitis. Hip. et Plat. and the third chapter. But let vs yeelde that Galen meant as Argenterius vnderstandeth him: shall wee therefore con∣clude that he hath written absurdly? Nature is not wont to create any such texture vnlesse it be for a new elaboration, but in the braine there appeareth a notable texture which we call Choroides, therefore in the braine there is a preparation of a new spirit. Ar∣genterius wil obiect that in the left ventricle of the heart the vitall spirit is generated, and * 1.5 yet in the heart there is no complication of vessels.

Wee answere, that such Laberynths were not necessary in the heart, because the ne∣cessity of the vitall spirit is greater then that of the Animall. And therefore there is a grea∣ter * 1.6 proportion of them required then can be confected in so narrow vessels. For the Ani∣mall functions are not perpctuall, and beside when a man sleepes they are also at rest. But the vitall, the sounder we sleepe the stronger they are.

Furthermore, all the parts of the creature haue not sence, as bones, gristles and liga∣ments yet all of them do liue. VVherefore because there is a greater exhaustion of vitall spirits there restauration must be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, sudden and plentifull. Adde heereto that the vitall spirit doth not onely serue for the accomplishment of the vitall functions, but also is the matter of the Animall spirits: and therefore it is necessary that their generation should be in great aboundance, which cannot be accomplished in small Arteries and nar∣row caulties. Finally, the heart which is the hottest of al the bowels doth suddenly boyle & generate spirits albeit there be not so precise a contaction in al the parts; which thing the braine being far colder cannot performe and therfore in the brain there was great vse and necessity of complications of vessels and not in the hart. Argenterius proceedeth to goade Galen farthet. Why are the Animall spirits generated in the complications of the Arteries of the brain, seeing the Arteries of the brain do not differ in kind from the arteries of the * 1.7 ther parts of the body? Now in the other parts the arteries do not generate Animal spirits; * 1.8 therfore they shal not do it in the brain. I answer, that the Animal spirit doth not attain his forme & difference in the cōplications, but eyther in the ventricles or in the substance of the brain. In those straights and narrow passages it is only prepared, and attaineth a kind of ru∣diment or initiation by irradiation from the braine. So in the crooked rings of the prepa∣ring vessels the seed hath a delineation from the influce of the testicles. In the mesaraicks the blood is prepared by a vertue beaming from the Liuer: neyther did Galen euer ackno∣ledge any other vse of those complications then the attenuation of the vitall spirit and the preparation of the animal. Fourthly, that there is no animal spirit he thus proueth. If in the brain a spirit wer cōtained, thē our sensations & cogitations should be perpetual, because * 1.9 the faculties of the soule are euer prest and at hand. I answere, that the soule doth not al∣wayes worke though it haue an Organ; because the Organ is often hindred, as when the naturall heare is drawne inward, for example in sleepe. Againe, there is not alwayes a sufficient supply of Animall spirits, and thence it is that the functions doe not alwayes worke, but sometimes rest themselues as in the night, in which time the spirits are redinte∣grated and refreshed; and this according to Phisitians is the onely finall cause of sleepe or rest. Fiftly, he obiecteth that thogh it should be granted that there is an Animall spirit, yet it cannot descend to the feete because it is of a fiery and airy Nature. But this argu∣ment * 1.10 is already answered thus: That all the spirits by their proper motion are carried vp∣ward and outward: but when they are directed by the soule they are diffused and disper∣sed into all the parts of the body. So the Arme being naturally heauy, is often times de∣pressed by his Elementary forme, yet it is lifted vp againe by the soule; for our naturall heate is by diffusion communicated to all the parts. Sixtly, if there be more kindes of spi∣rits, * 1.11 then (saith Argenterius) it will follow that they must be mingled & confounded, which confusion of the spirits will also induce eyther a confusion or nullity of the actions. But let vs grant (which yet is not true) that the spirits are confounded, will it thence follow that e∣uery * 1.12 spirit shall not performe his owne office? VVhy may not the vitall do the offices of life and the Animall supply sense and motion? For these spirits are not contrary, that in the permistion they should abate their power & force mutually. Seauenthly, he saith, that * 1.13 the pupilla or apple of the eye is dilated by the spirit of the arteries which is vitall and not Animall. On the contrary, we thinke that when one eye is closed vp the apple of the other cannot in a moment be dilated by any spirits proceeding from the arteries, because the ar∣teries of both the eyes doe not meete and vnite themselues as do the optick nerues.

But there is a great distance betwixt them, and so great as that it is impossible that the Vitall spirit together with the arteriall blood should so instantly mooue itself from one eye to another.

Eightly, hee obiecteth that the influence of an Animall spirite is not necessarie, a * 1.14 quality onely or beaming light might be sufficient, for nothing that is corporeal is mo∣ued in an instant. But we know that the Muscles obey the Braine according as our will commandeth thē, for we are able in the twickling of an eye to moue our vtmost ioynts. We answere that the spirit which is the Organ of the soule dooth instantly accomplish * 1.15 the commandement thereof and is euer addrest in the Nerues, and as it is spent repay∣red by new influence and succession; whence it is that before the exhaustion or expense of the olde a newe is ministred to supply the roome. Which Lucretius in an elegant Verse hath thus chanted.

Ergo Animus cum sese ita commouet vt velitire Inque gredi, fert extemplo quae incorpore toto Per membra atque artus animali dissita vis est: Et facile est factu, quoniam coniunct a tenetur.

When the Soule listeth her selfe to disport, The Powers throughout the bodie disioyned, Into the Ioynts and Members resort, For the Soule holdeth them alwaves conioyned.

Finally, he concludeth that there is but one influent spirit because there is but one soul, * 1.16 one influent heats, one nourishment of the parts, to wit, the blood and one aire that is inspired. These are Argenterius Darts which he casteth against Galen, which howe light they are and little sauouring of Physicke let the learned iudge. True it is that the soule is but one, but that one is furnished with diuers Faculties: there is but one Aliment, but by diuers concoction it receyueth a diuers forme, and that one according vnto the diuers substance of the parts is of diuers sorts.

As therefore there are three Faculties of the Soule, the Naturall, Vitall and Ani∣mall; * 1.17 three principles, the Braine, the Heart, and the Liuer; three Organs ministering vnto them Veines, Arteries and Nerues: so are we to thinke that there are three spirites distinct in forme and kinde, otherwise all thinges should bee one because the common matter of all is one and the same.

There be other weapons farre keener then these of Argenterius, wherwith we may af∣front * 1.18 the opinion of Galen concerning the Animall spirit, which for disputation sake and that the truth may be better cleared we will thus vrge. Whatsoeuer spirit is conteyned in the Cauity of the Arteries is to be accounted Vital. But all the spirits conteined in the Braine are included within the Arteries, neyther doe they euer yssue out of them, and therefore the spirits of the Braine are Vitall and not Animall.

The Minor proposition or assumption is thus confirmed. If the spirites boult out of * 1.19 the Arteries then are they conueyed either into the Ventricles or into the substaunce of the Brain, which if we admit, then wil the spirit becom presently condensed. For the scal∣ding Vapors which arise into the Braine from the bowels boyling with extraordinarie * 1.20 heate are much thinner then the spirits and yet are instantly condensed or thickned.

Now that the Vapor is thinner then the spirit may be prooued, because the vapour exhaleth outward, the spirits remaining within. To this argument wee answere, that the Nature of Spirits and Vapors is diuers. The spirits are retained by the Soule, beecause they are familiar and as it were of Kin vnto her, but the Vapors are straungers or rather Enemies, and therefore they exhale and are condensed or thickned.

Another Reason.

If the Spirits of the braine do forsake the Arteries and be transfused into the Ventri∣cles, * 1.21 seeing in the third Ventricle there are two passages, one forward and another back∣ward, why do they rather passe backward then forward? whereby shal it bee conducted after it fal out of the Arteries so that it mooue in a right line, and that without any vio∣lence * 1.22 but with an easie and gentle motion into the fourth Ventricle. I answere, that it is the Soule that directeth the Instruments of the soul, and that it is diffused into this part rather then into the other, because it is the Soules good pleasure so to command.

Thirdly, it seemeth not consonant to reason that a Spirit should be generated & con∣teyned in the Ventricles of the Braine, because those Ventricles were ordained for the * 1.23 expurgation of superfluities. I answere, that Nature vseth one part for diuers vses, for as * 1.24 the Nose was primarily created for smelling and the inspiration of aer, and secondarily for the expurgation of the Braine; so it may be that the forward ventricles of the braine

were primarily made for the preparation of the spirits, and secondarily to auoide excre∣ments.

Fourthly, that whereas one eye being shut, the apple of the other is dilated. It ar∣gueth * 1.25 that the spirits are not transported by the nerues but by the Arteries. For the optick nerues do not touch the apple of the eye, yea betwixt them are interposed many boddies * 1.26 and those very thicke, to wit, the Christaline and the Waterish humors, through which the spirits in such a momēt cannot passe. For if it cānot pearce through a drop of phlegme in the oppilation or stopping of the optick, which maketh the disease we call Gutta Jaerena; how shall it passe the thicknesse of the Christaline humor? The spirit therefore yssueth through the small Arteries, which together with the grape-like coate are conuyghed to the Pupilla. This reason would vrge very much vnlesse Anatomy did teach vs that the opticke nerue when it commeth vnto the Christaline humor doeth not there determine but is diffused and amplified into that coate which is called Reticularis or the Net. Now the Net-like coate passeth euen vnto the apple.

Finally, that there is no Animall spirit may thus be demonstrated. The spirits are * 1.27 those that do conueigh and transport all the faculties, and serue onely for that vse. Now there is no Animall faculty transported from the braine into the body, and therefore there is no Animall spirit. That the Animall faculty is not transported from the braine into the body may thus be prooued.

A faculty is a propriety of the soule, now euery propriety is inseparable from that thing whereof it is a propriety. Wherefore wheresoeuer the soule is, there also shall his facul∣ties be. But we know that the soule is Tota in toto et tota in qualibet parte, that is, wholy in in the whole and wholy in euery part. Whence it will follow that the faculty is not only in the braine but also in euery part of the body, and that as absolute and perfect as it is in the braine it selfe, because the whole soule is absolute and perfect in the least part.

The Philosopher makes answere, that the essence of the soule furnished with all her faculties is indeed euery where; but doth not worke euery where because euery where it * 1.28 hath not Organs. For the Soule doth not moue neyther partaketh of sense without the Animall spirit, as it seeth not without an eye.

VVe conclude therefore that there is an Animall spirit which receiueth an inchoa∣tion in the Textures, an elaboration in the ventricles, & a perfection in the substance of the braine, where also it is the vehicle of the principall faculties, and passing into the spinall marrow and the nerues is the immediate Organ of sense and motion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Argenterius accuseth Ga¦len of incon∣stancy.
• * 1.2

  He vnder∣standeth not Galens mea∣ning.
• * 1.3

  Galen accu∣sed of igno∣rance.
• * 1.4

  But defended
• * 1.5

  Obiection.
• * 1.6

  Answere.
• * 1.7

  Obiection.
• * 1.8

  Answere.
• * 1.9

  Argenterius 4 Argument. Answere.
• * 1.10

  The fift an∣swerd.
• * 1.11

  The sixt.
• * 1.12

  Answered.
• * 1.13

  The seuenth.
• * 1.14

  The eight.
• * 1.15

  Answered.
• * 1.16

  Argenterius conclusion.
• * 1.17

  ••ut c••nclu∣on.
• * 1.18

  Other resons to prooue there is no A∣nimal spirit.
• * 1.19

  The first.
• * 1.20

  The answere.
• * 1.21

  The second.
• * 1.22

  Answered.
• * 1.23

  The third.
• * 1.24

  Answered.
• * 1.25

  The fourth.
• * 1.26

  Answered.
• * 1.27

  The fift.
• * 1.28

  Answered.