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ANATOMY is an artificial separation of the parts of the Body by section,* 1.1 practised to attain to the knowledge of the frame of it, and the use of each part.
In Anatomical exercises, first the whole Car∣case doth offer it self, then the parts.
The whole hath four Regions,* 1.2 to wit, the fore and back parts, and the lateral, which are the right and left.
I call the whole that which containeth the parts,* 1.3 and a part that which is contained in the whole, according to the most ample acception of the term part; for in a more strict acception that is called a part, which partakes of the form and life of the whole; and is defined to be a body solid co∣hering with the whole, endued with life, and framed to perform some function.
A part then must be first solid:* 1.4 humours then cannot be numbred amongst the parts, because they are fluid.
Secondly, it must have life▪ and so the excre∣ments [ 1] of hairs and nails are not to be accounted [ 2] parts.
[ 3] Thirdly, one part must not nourish another: and so the bloud, fat, and spirits are not parts.
[ 4] Fourthly, it must have a circumscription.
[ 5] Fifthly, it must be united with the whole, both in respect of matter and form.
[ 6] Sixthly, it must have some function, or use.
The principal differences of parts are taken ei∣ther from their matter,* 1.5 or end. From their matter, parts are said to be either similar, or dissimilar.
A similar part is that whose particles are of the same substance and denomination with the whole:* 1.6 as every portion of a bone is bone. It is other∣wise called a simple part.
Of simple parts there are ten in number▪* 1.7 to wit, The skin, a membrane, the flesh, a fibre, a vein, an artery, a nerve, a ligament, a cartilage, a bone: they are comprehended in these two verses.
Cartilago, caro, membrana, arteria, nervus,
Vena, ligamentum, cutis, os, lentissima fibra.
To these a tendon,* 1.8 which is the principal part of the muscle, may be added; for the substance of it is simple, without any composition.
Of the former simple parts,* 1.9 some are simple in∣deed, and these are in number seven; the skin, a membrane, the flesh, a fibre, a ligament, a carti∣lage, a bone. The rest are onely simple to the eye or sense, and not to reason; for a nerve (for ex∣ample) is composed of many filaments, covered with a double membrane, made of the dura, and pia mater.
Of the simple parts some are called spermatical, as a bone, a cartilage, a ligament, a membrane, a fibre, a nerve, an artery, a vein; these being made of the seed, if they be cut in two, or broke, are not regenerated, nor can truly be again uni∣ted; but are onely joyn'd by a callus. Others are sanguineous, being suppos'd to be made of bloud, and these are regenerated, such is all the muscu∣lar flesh. As for the skin, it seems to be partly spermatical and partly sanguineous; for though in grown men a wound in it is healed onely with a cicatrix, yet in boys it has been observed to be closed with a true and proper skin. But of its nature see more in the next chapter.
A dissimilar part is that whose portions are neither of the same substance,* 1.10 nor the same deno∣mination; as a muscle, in the which are flesh, nervous fibres, and a tendon. It is otherwise called a compound part, and an organical part.
In an organical part four particles are com∣monly found;* 1.11 as in the Eye, there is first, the chief particle, by which the action, namely visi∣on, is performed, which is the crystallin hu∣mour. [ 1]
[ 2] Secondly, that particle, without which the acti∣on cannot be performed, as the optick nerve.
[ 3] Thirdly, that which furthereth the action, as the membranes and muscles.
[ 4] Fourthly, that by which the action is preserved, as the eye-lids.
Of organical parts there are four degrees.* 1.12
The first is made onely of the similars, as a [ 1] muscle.
[ 2] The second receiveth the first kind of organical parts, and other similars, as a finger.
[ 3] The third admitteth those of the second de∣gree, as the hand.
[ 4] The fourth is made of the third and other parts, as the arm.
Parts from their end are distinguished into principal,* 1.13 and less principal or ministring.
The principal are the Liver, Stomach, Heart, Brain.
The ministring are either necessary, or not.
The necessary are those without which the Ani∣mal cannot live. So the Lungs minister to the Heart, the Guts to the Stomach.
The not necessary are simple flesh, &c. in respect of other parts: for in consumptive persons 'tis almost wholly spent; and Insects, according to Aristotle, have none.
There are also other divisions of the parts of the Body, as into parts containing, parts contain∣ed, and the spirits, express'd by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or impe∣tum facientes, by Hippocrates.
Fernelius divides the Body also into publick and private Regions. The private are such as the brain, reins, womb, &c. The publick are three. The first hath the Vena portae, and all the parts whither
its branches reach. The second begins at the roots of the Cava, and ends in the small veins be∣fore they become capillary. The third hath the muscles, bones, and the bulk of the Body, termi∣nating with the skin. But this division is only of use in Physick.
OF all the parts of the Body we are to begin Dissection with the Cavities: First, because they offer themselves to the view in the fore regi∣on of the Body. Secondly, because they being moist, and apt to receive the impression of the external heat, soonest putrefie and send out noisom smells.
The Cavities are appointed to receive the principal parts, and those which minister unto them. Wherefore there are three Cavities, ac∣cording to the number of the principal parts. The Head is for the Brain, the Breast is for the Heart, and the Belly for the Liver. And because this last Cavity is most subject to putrefaction, you are to begin at it.
Now three things concerning it offer them∣selves. First the circumscription or bounds of it. Secondly, the regions of it. Thirdly, the speci∣al parts of it.
As concerning the circumscription of it,* 1.14 it is severed within from the Breast by the Midriff. It is bounded above by the cartilago ensiformis, or the Heart-pit, and beneath by the Share-bones.
The regions of it are three,* 1.15 the uppermost, middlemost, and lowermost.
The uppermost, which is bounded between the mucronita cartilago, and three inches above the Navel, about the ending of the short Ribs, hath three parts: The two lateral, which are called hypochondria, or subcartilaginea, because they lie under the cartilages of the short Ribs. In the right hypochondrium lieth the greatest part of the Liver, and part of the Stomach, but in the left the Spleen, and a greater part of the Stomach. The third part is that which before lieth between the two lateral parts, and is properly called epi∣gastrium, because the Stomach lieth under it. In this part remarkable is the Pit of the Breast, which is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or scrobiculus cordis, by the modern Writers.
The middlemost region extendeth it self from three inches above the Navel, to three inches un∣der it. The fore part is where the Navel is, from whence it is called regio umbilicalis. The two lateral parts are called by Aristotle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ei∣ther from their laxity, or from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, salacitas, because they are the seat of lust; by Galen 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because being placed between the hanch-bones and Ribs they are lank and seem to contain nothing. They are called by Dr. Glisson epiçolicae, because on each side, this region investeth the lateral parts of the Gut Colon. The hindermost parts parallel to these are called lumbi, the Loins, in the right whereof is the right Kidney, and in the left, the left.
The lowest region is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, hypoga∣strium. This region hath three parts, the two lateral, and the middlemost: The lateral are bounded by the ••ssa Ilia, so called because a great part of the Ilium intestinum lieth under them on each side. Besides this, in the right part are placed the beginning of the Colon, and the caecum intestinum, which latter is joyned as an appendage betwixt the Ilium and Colon. In the left part are contained the ending of the Colon, and the intesti∣num rectum.
The fore-part of the Hypogastrium by Aristot. lib. 1. Hist. animal. 3. is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which Gaza calleth Abdomen and Sumen. Under it lieth the pubes, which word signifieth both the hairs, and the place where the hairs grow, which appear to bud in Girls the twelfth year, but in Boys the fourteenth year, when way is made for the month∣ly courses, and seed begins to be generated. At the sides of the pubes appear 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Inguina, the Groins. Under this lowest region in its mid∣dle are contained the Bladder, and the Matrix in Women.
Behind, it is terminated by the os sacrum.
THE common containing parts of the Belly are four, the skarf-skin, the skin, the fat, and the membrana carnosa.
The skin in a Man is called cutis, but in Beasts aluta; in Greek it is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; ei∣ther 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because it is easily flea'd off; or from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, seeing it is the end and superficies of the whole Body. Of all the membranes of the Body it is the thickest.
It hath a double substance;* 1.16 the one is external, called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because it is placed upon the Skin as a cover. It is termed cuticula in Latine, and is as large as the Skin, and more compact; for waterish sharp humours, pas∣sing through the Skin, are stayed by the thickness of this, and so pustules are caused. In Man it is as the peeling of an Onion. It is without bloud and without feeling.
The material cause of it is a viscous and oleous vapour of the bloud, raised by the natural heat of the subjacent parts, and dried and condensed by the external cold, as most Anatomists have taught; but Dr. Glisson not improbably thinks it to be a soft, slippery, viscid and transparent juice (like the white of an Egge) issuing out of the capilla∣ry extremities of the Nerves which end in the outer superficies of the true Skin, where it is coa∣gulated, and by its viscosity sticketh upon it like glue, so that it can hardly be separated there∣from
by a knife, but easily in living creatures by a vesicatory, and in dead persons by fire, or scal∣ding hot water. It sometimes also almost wholly peels off in burning fevers, and the small pox; but a new one presently succeeds it.
The use of it is First,* 1.17 to defend the Skin, which is of an exquisite sense, from external immoderate either heat or cold. In cold weather it breaketh the cold, that the perspiration should not be al∣together hindred: In hot weather by its com∣pactness it hindreth too great perspiration.
Secondly, to be a middle between the Skin▪ and the object to be felt; for when it is rubb'd off, the true Skin cannot endure the touch of o∣ther Bodies without pain.
Thirdly, to stay the ichorous substance from issuing from the Arteries; for this we see when the cuticula is rubbed off by any means.
Fourthly, to make the Body more beautifull; which it does by smoothing the asperities of the true Skin, and inducing a comely colour of white and red. Whiteness is natural to this part, and the redness is owing to the bloud that is affus'd to the outward superficies of the true Skin; which being seen through the Skarf-skin makes that flo∣rid colour.
The true skin is six times thicker than the Skarf-skin:* 1.18 in Children, Women, and those which are born in hot Countries, it is thinner; but in Men, and in those who inhabit cold Countries, it is thicker.
It is naturally white,* 1.19 as other membranes; but in living and healthfull persons, and such as live in a temperate or somewhat cold climate, from the afflux of the bloud towards it, it is of a
reddish rosie colour. But in those that live un∣der the Aequinoctial Line and in excessively hot climates it appears black in the outer superficies, because they having a softer Skin, and large pores and loose, many vapours of the adust humours are raised with the sweat; the grosser substance whereof, (being stopt by the Scarf-skin, and) by reason of the excessive heat, being dried and burned, causeth that blackness; for their infants are not born black but reddish.
It is made up of nervous fibres very closely in∣terwoven one with another, and of a parenchy∣ma that fills up the interstices and inequalities thereof. That it has such a parenchyma may appear by this, that when a Sheep-skin (for in∣stance) has been some while steept in water, one may with an ivory knife or the like scrape a great deal of mucous slimy matter off it, whereby it becomes much lighter, thinner and in some mea∣sure transparent, as we see in Parchment.
The Skin in the Fore-head and Sides is thin, thinner yet in the palm of the Hand, but thinnest of all in the Lips and Cods. In the Head, Back, and under the Heel it is thickest. Under the Heel the cuticula in some will be as thick as a bar∣ley corn, and may more truly be called a callus than a cuticula; and such it is in the palms of the Hands of such as much handle hard things, as Smiths, and the like. It is thinner in Children and in Women than in Men; in those that live in hot Countries, than those that live in cold. And this (as Spigelius observes) is the reason why those that are born in cold Countries, when they come under the Aequinoctial Line, are often ta∣ken with fevers; because that great heat that is
there excited in the Body by the outward air, can∣not exhale through the too thick Skin, but being retained induces a preternatural heat, and so a fever.
The pores will appear in the Skin in the winter time, it being bared; for where they are, the cuticula will appear as a Gooses Skin.
The Skin hath an action,* 1.20 to wit, the sense of feeling.
Its use is,* 1.21 first, to cloath the whole Body, and defend it from injuries. Secondly, to be a gene∣ral vent or emunctory to the Body, by which all its exhalations may fitly transpire. Which whe∣ther it be done onely through its pores, as most Anatomists have affirmed; or also through its very substance, as Dr. Glisson has of late asserted, is a controversie hardly worth the insisting on.
In the next place appears the fat,* 1.22 which is com∣monly taken to be something distinct from the membrana carnosa that lies under it; but is indeed onely a part of it: for in its outer part it is full of membranous cells, which are fill'd with a yel∣lowish fat. But however having noted this er∣rour, we shall speak after the manner of for∣mer Anatomists, and consider it as separate, and so define it to be an oleous humour of the Body elevated by the moderate heat of the parts lying under it, and concreted betwixt the carnous membrane and the Skin in membranous cells. Now though in Men this fat is immediately next to the Skin, yet in Beasts the membrana carnosa comes between, and is indeed musculous, and so close joyned to the Skin that by the help of it they can (many of them) move the Skin so as to shake off flies or any thing that offends them: but it is not so in Men in any
place save the Fore-head, which therefore they can move in like manner.
This Fat is properly called pinguedo, whereas that of the Caul, &c. is called sevum, Suet or Tallow. And they differ in this, that pinguedo is easily melted, but not so easily congealed; but sevum is not easily melted, but is easily congealed. Besides, pinguedo is not brittle, but sevum is.
The uses of it are these:* 1.23 First, it defendeth the Body from the air; so Apothecaries, when they mean to preserve juices, pour oyl upon them.
Secondly, it preserveth the natural heat.
Thirdly, it furthereth beauty by filling up the wrinkles of the Skin.
Fourthly, in the Muscles it filleth up the empty places, rendreth the motion thereof more glib and easie, (so it do not abound too much) and keepeth all the parts from driness, or breaking. Hence it besmears the extremities of the Cartila∣ges, the joyntings of the greater Bones, and the Vessels that they may pass safely.
Fifthly, in a special manner it helpeth the con∣coction of the Stomach; whence the Caul being taken out, there follow flatus and belchings; and in such case it is necessary to fence the Stomach extraordinarily with outward warmth.
Membrana carnosa,* 1.24 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, so called in Man; not that it is in him fleshy, (but ner∣vous, and so should rather be called Nervea;) but because in Beasts, which the Ancients used most commonly to dissect, it is endued with fleshy Fibres. In the birth it is red, but in those of ripe age white; in the Fore-head and Neck it is more fleshy. Within it is bedewed with a viscous humour, to further the motion of the Muscles by
keeping the superficies of them from desiccation; which otherwise might fall out by reason of their motion. It is of an exquisite sense, wherefore when it is pricked with sharp humours, it causeth shiverings, such as are felt in the beginning of Ague-fits.
First it preserveth the heat of the internal parts.* 1.25 Secondly, it furthereth the gathering of the fat. Thirdly, it strengtheneth the Vessels which pass between it and the Skin.
In the next place (according to the usual me∣thod of Anatomists) we should come to speak of the Muscles of the Abdomen with their Mem∣branes, &c. But we have thought it more con∣venient to treat of the Muscles of the whole Bo∣dy in a particular Book, and so shall but onely name the Muscles of the lower Belly here, as they appear one after another to the dissector. And first there shew themselves the obliquely descend∣ing pair; secondly, the obliquely ascending; thirdly, the Recti; fourthly, the pyramidal; and lastly, the transverse. All these being remo∣ved, there appears the peritonaeum, of which in the next Chapter.
THE proper containing parts are the Mus∣cles of the Belly, and the Peritonaeum. Of these Muscles we shall speak Book 5. Chap. 17.
The Peritonaeum or inmost coat of the Belly (derived 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from its office of en∣compassing) is tied above to the Midriff, below to the Share and Flank-bones; in the fore-part firmly to the transverse Muscles, but chiefly to their Tendons about the Linea alba; behind to the fleshly heads of these Muscles loosely. The end of this firm connexion is to press equally the Bel∣ly, for the expulsion of the Ordure, and for re∣spiration. If this connexion had not been, the Peritonaeum would have become wrinkled, the Muscles being contracted. If it had not been loose tied to the fleshly parts, the contraction of them in the compression of the Belly had been hindred.
Its figure is oval; its substance is membranous; the inner superficies of it, which respects the Guts, is smooth, equal and slippery, bedewed with a kind of watery humour contained in the Abdomen: but the outer superficies, whereby it cleaves to the Muscles of the lower Belly, is rough and unequal.
As for the origine of it, Fallopius will have it to proceed from that strong plexus of Nerves, from whence the Mesenterium is said to have its beginning. Some will have it to proceed from the Ligaments by which the vert••brae of the Loins and of O••s sacrum are tied together. Picolhomineus will have it to be framed of those Nerves which spring out of the spinalis medulla, about the first and third Vertebrae of the Loins. But Fallopius's opinion seems the most probable; for there it cannot be separated without tearing, and is very thick.
It is double every where, but appears so to be
chiefly about the vertebrae of the Loins, where be∣tween the duplications lie the Vena cava, the Aorta and the Kidneys. In the Hypogastrium two Tunicles are also apparently seen, between which the Blad∣der and Matrix lie. The umbilical Vessels also are placed in the duplicature of the Peritonaeum, that they may march the more safely. Above, where it is tied to the Midriff, it has three faramina or holes; the first on the right side, whereby the ascending trunk of the Vena cava passes; the second on the left side, for the Gullet (with the Nerves inser∣ted into the mouth of the Stomach) to descend by; the third, by which the great Artery or Aorta, and the Nerve of the sixth pair may pass. Below, it has passages for the strait Gut, for the neck of the Bladder, and in Women for the neck of the Womb; also for the Veins, Arteries and Nerves that pass down to the Thighs. Before, in the foetus for the umbilical Vessels and the Ʋrachus.
But the most remarkable are its two processes, placed before near the os pubis, on each side one. They are certain oblong productions of its outer Membrane passing through the holes of the Ten∣dons of the oblique and transverse Muscles, and depending into the Cod, there bestowing one Tunicle on the Stones. There are also two pro∣cesses in Women, but they reach onely to the ingui∣na or Groins, and terminate in the upper part of the Privity or the fat of mons Veneris. The inner Membrane of the peritonaeum (in Men) reaches but to the very holes, which it makes very strait; but being either relaxed or broken, the outer gives way, and so there follows a rupture, either the Caul, or the Guts, or both descending there∣by. By the holes of the processes there descend
in Men the Vessels preparing the seed, and the Muscles called cremasteres, and by them ascend the Vessels bringing back the seed. In Women there pass by them the round ligaments of the Womb, which after growing somewhat broadish, are joy∣ned to the clitoris, or else terminate in the fat of Mons Veneris.
The peritonaeum is thickest below the Navel, for that when one either sits or stands, his Intestines bear down heavy on that part, so that unless it were there stronger than ordinary, it would be in danger of breaking. In Women with child also, it is very much extended in this region. And thus far of the parts containing.
TAB. I. Pag. 16.
THE parts contained serve either for nutriti∣on,* 1.26 or procreation. As for the parts ser∣ving for nutrition, they either serve for chylificati∣on, or sanguification. The principal efficient cause of chylification, is the Stomach; but the ad∣juvants are the Caul, and the Pancreas.
The principal efficient causes of sanguification, have been held to be the Liver and Spleen, and the other parts to be adjuvant causes. But since it has been discover'd that none of the venae lacteae pass to the Liver, but that the whole chyle is conveyed by the ductus thoracicus to the Heart and so into the mass of Bloud, they are discharged from the task of sanguification; though they do contribute to the refining and perfecting of the Bloud already made.
The excrements of the chylification are recei∣ved by the Guts. The excrements of the sangui∣fication have been taught to be two, viz. choler, and the serous humour. The thin choler is re∣ceived by the vesica fellea; but the thicker by the meatus cholidochus. The serous humour is turned to the Kidneys, and from thence to the Bladder by the Ureters.
The parts appointed for procreation, are the Genitals, both in Men and Women.
Next then to the Peritonaeum is the Omentum,* 1.27 or Caul, in Greek it is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because it seemeth to swim above the up-upper
Guts. The Arabians call it Zirbus.
It is composed of two Membranes,* 1.28 of Vessels, Glands and Fat.
The uppermost Membrane doth spring from the bottom of the Stomach,* 1.29 and is tied to the hollow part of the Liver and Spleen.
The inner or lowermost doth spring from the Peritonaeum, immediately under the Midriff to∣wards the Back, and is tied to that part of the Gut Colon that passeth under the Stomach length∣ways, to the Pancreas or Sweetbread, to the Midriff, and to the Duodenum intestinum.
Its lower part doth hang loose and reacheth in most below the Navel, but in some that are fat to the very os pubis. Its bottom is close and united, so that it is sitly compared to a pouch.
From its double origine there ariseth betwixt its partitions a notable cavity, which some very weakly have destin'd to divers uses; but indeed it results onely accidentally, and was not for its own sake framed by Nature.
For (as Dr. Glis∣son reasoneth) whilst Nature is solicitous about providing a fit deputy for the Mesentery (and that membranous) and stuffing it with fat, through which Vessels may be carried to the Stomach, Liver, Spleen, Pancreas and Colon, and whereby she may joyn all those parts after a due manner; and moreover whilst she takes care that it hang down loosely, and besmear both the Stomach and Intestines with its unctuous∣ness; and in the mean while be every where continuous to it self: I say, whilst she diligently proposes all these ends, if she will obtain them, she must needs make the Caul hollow as it is above described, and its propending part
must needs imitate the bottom of a pouch.Thus he.
The Omentum aboundeth with Vessels of several sorts;* 1.30 we shall begin with the Arteries,* 1.31 and tran∣slate hither the account that the above named Do∣ctor gives of them, which is very exact.
Its Arteries are propagated from the coeliaca; or rather the inner Leaf (as he calls it) of this Membrane, near its origine, receives and up∣holds this Artery, (as soon as it passes out of the Aorta) betwixt its Membranes. It is di∣vided into two branches, the right and left. The right being joyned to the vena porta in the pancreas, and fenced with the Membranes of the omentum, is carried into the cava of the Li∣ver: but it first sends forth these branches; the pyloricus, to the hinder side of the right orifice of the Stomach; the arteriae cysticae gemellae, the epiplois dextra, a portion whereof is dispensed to the Gut colon; the intestinalis carried to the duodenum and beginning of the jejunum; the gastro-epiplois dextra, which is distributed into the right bottom of the Stomach—The left branch of the coeliaca, called splenicus, is greater than the right, and being included within the Membranes of the hinder Leaf of the omentum is carried directly left-ways to the suture of the Spleen under the bottom of the Stomach. In its passage it sends forth many branches: Ʋp∣wards one notable one called arteria gastrica, which washeth the bottom and sides of the Sto∣mach and its upper orifice, and there gets the name of coronaria; also a second called gastro∣epiplois sinistra, whereof one portion is disper∣sed into the bottom of the left part of the Sto∣mach,
and both its fore and hinder parts, and the remainder is spent on the fore Leaf of the omentum; it sends forth a third also, that fa∣mous branch called vas breve arteriosum, which is inserted into the left part of the left orifice of the Stomach. Downwards also it shoots forth some branches, as the epiploe sinistra, which be∣ing divided into two rivulets waters partly the hinder Leaf of the omentum, and partly the co∣lon it self; also another little branch, which is wholly spent on the left part of the hinder Leaf of the Caul.
The Veins that answer to the said Arteries rise almost all from the splenick branch,* 1.32 the trunk of which Veins after it is joyned with the stem of the splenick Artery, puts forth branches exactly answering and proportioned to those of the said Artery; and all the branches of both Vessels are dispensed to the same respective parts, and are denominated from them, so that 'twould be needless to stay longer on their di∣stribution: only the branch that goes to the right orifice of the Ventricle, called of some pyloricus, takes its rise from the trunk of the porta before 'tis divided.
It has but very small nerves proceeding from a double branch of the sixth pair:* 1.33 and these, as the Veins, accompanying the Arteries, and having the same names, we shall not take the pains to trace.
But besides these Vessels formerly known,* 1.34 there are some that think they have discovered another sort called adiposa; amongst whom Malpighius is a leading man: whether there be such or no, I leave the curious with their glasses to inquire; for,
for my own part, I could never discern any such by the naked eye, or such glasses as I have made use of.
Dr. Wharton in his Book de Glandulis,* 1.35 cap. 12. declares, that he has observed some venae lacteae arising out of the bottom of the Stomach, to be received into the omentum, which being inserted into a pretty large gland do from thence spring again, and are carried obliquely downwards, crossing the right extremity of the pancreas: one would think, saith he, at the first sight, that they enter'd into the pancreas, but they do in truth pass by it, and make towards the common receptacle of the Chyle, into which they unload them∣selves.
The same learned Physician does in the same place give an account of two Glands that are na∣turally found in it.* 1.36 One greater near its being joyned unto the pylorus, and into this it is that the lacteae are inserted; another somewhat less placed towards the Spleen, and this he has observed sometimes double, triple, yea manifold. Pre∣ternaturally it has sometimes many more.
The fat is about the Veins and Arteries,* 1.37 to strengthen them, and to keep them from being compressed by the repletion of the Belly, and o∣ther motions. When the Stomach is full, and the Guts empty, the upper Membrane of the Caul is raised, the lower remaining in its own place; but if the Guts be full, and the Stomach empty, then the lower Membrane riseth up, the upper remaining in its own place; for which end its lower end is free and untied, that sometimes the upper, sometimes the lower Membrane might rise up, saith Spigelius.
The uses of it are these:* 1.38 First, it cherisheth the internal heat of the lower part of the Sto∣mach, and of the Intestines.
Secondly, it ministreth nourishment to the parts in the time of famine, Galen. de us. part. l. 2. c. 11.
Thirdly, like the Mesentery, it serves to con∣vey safely the Vessels to other parts, as to the Stomach, Colon, Duodenum, &c.
Fourthly, it keeps the outer superficies of the Guts moist and glib, that they may the better perform their peristaltick motion.
Creatures which have no Caul,* 1.39 help concocti∣on by doubling their hinder Legs, and resting their Belly upon them, as Hares and Conies.
They who have had a portion of it cut off,* 1.40 be∣cause it was corrupted by reason of a wound re∣ceived in the abdomen, have afterward a weak con∣coction, and are enforced to cover the Belly well. See Galen. lib. 4. de usu part. 9. where he proveth this by example.
THE Gullet being as it were the pipe or fun∣nel of the Stomach, though it be seated in the thorax, and so should be considered in the next Book, yet because of its relation to the Stomach, being but an appendage of it, we shall treat of it here.
It is an organical part,* 1.41 round and hollow, be∣ginning
at the root of the Tongue, behind the larynx and Windpipe (where it is called pharynx) and passeth from thence directly between the Windpipe, the vertebrae of the Neck, and the four first vertebrae of the thorax, upon the which it resteth; but when it is come to the fifth vertebra, it giveth way to the trunk of the great Artery de∣scending, by turning a little to the right side: afterward accompanying the Artery to the ninth vertebra, there it turns a little to the left again, and is raised up, by means of the Membranes, from the vertebra, and marching above the Arte∣ry, it passeth through the nervous body of the Midriff at a hole distinct from that of the great Artery, and is inserted into the left orifice of the ventricle, about the eleventh vertebra of the Breast.
It is properly called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.42 quasi 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, angustus & longus: see Aristot. 1. histor. ani∣mal. 16. It is also called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, quòd cibum ad ventriculum vehat.
It is framed of three Membranes.* 1.43 The first is the uttermost and common, compassing the two proper; this it hath either from the peritonaeum, according to some, or from the pleura, or from the ligaments of the vertebrae of the Neck and Breast upon which it resteth. The second is the middlemost, and it is fleshy and thick, for it con∣sists of two ranks of fleshy Fibres, (what Fibres are see B. 5. ch. 1.) which ascend and descend ob∣liquely, and do mutually decussate one ano∣ther. This hath been held by many (not im∣probably) to be a kind of Muscle, because it is sometimes affected with Convulsions and Palsies. The third is the innermost, and it is membranous;
and hath onely small and straight Fibres. It is continued to that Membrane that covereth the Palate, Mouth, Jaws and Lips; whence the lower Lip usually trembleth, when one is going to vomit; and (according to Dr. Willis) it de∣scends three fingers breadth below the mouth of the Stomach.
It hath Veins in the Neck from the Jugulars, in the thorax from the vena sine pari;* 1.44 but where it is joyned to the Ventricle, it hath some twigs from the ramus coronarius, which proceedeth from the porta.
It hath Arteries in the Neck from the carotides; in the thorax from the Intercostals, and in the ab∣domen from the ramus coeliacus coronarius.
Nerves it hath from the sixth pair, which are carried obliquely, for safety, as Galen noteth, l. 6. de usu part. 6. and are very many.
It hath four Glandules;* 1.45 two in the Throat, which are called Tonsillae, or Almonds, common to the Gullet and the Larynx, which prepare and separate the pituitous humour to moisten them; other two it hath about the middle of it, towards the Back, about the fifth vertebra of the thorax, namely, where it gives way to the trunk of the aorta, and turns somewhat to the right side, or at that place where the aspera arteria is divided into two branches.
The Gullet serveth as a funnel to carry meat and drink to the Stomach;* 1.46 for it receiveth them by dilating its proper internal coat, and turneth them down by the constriction of the middle coat, and the Muscles of the Pharynx. But concerning its action, and in what manner, and by what help swallowing is performed, see more fully and par∣ticularly
in the fifth Book, Of the Muscles, chap. 12.
THAT part which we term the Stomach in English,* 1.47 in Latin is called Ventriculus, with∣out any addition, to distinguish it from the other Ventricles, which have always some other word added to determine the signification, as ventricu∣lus cordis, ventriculus cerebri. In Greek it is cal∣led 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from its Cavity.
In Man it is but one;* 1.48 but such quadrupeds as chew the Cud, especially all that are horned, have four Stomachs; the first whereof is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in English the Paunch; the second 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Latin reticulus; the third 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, omasus, in Eng∣lish the Feck; the fourth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, abomasus, in English the Read. Such Fowl also as live upon Corn have two Stomachs; the first membranous, called ingluvies, the crop; the second carnous, called ventriculus carnosus, in English the Gizard. Betwixt these two some name a third called echi∣nus, but it seems rather a passage only betwixt these two than it self a distinct one. But this is not a place to be particular as to the differences of number or shape, &c. of the Stomachs of several Animals, having designed only a succinct Anato∣my of Man. But the inquisitive may satisfie them∣selves in the learned Dr. Charleton's second pre∣lection
before the College of Physicians, entitu∣led Historia Ventriculi; or more fully in the inge∣nious Dr. Grew's comparative Anatomy of Stomachs and Guts, published with his Museum Regalis Soci∣etatis.
It is placed immediately under the Midriff,* 1.49 which it toucheth; wherefore if it be too full it causeth a difficulty of breathing, by hindring the motion of it. In the forepart on the right side, it is covered with the hollow part of the Liver; on the left side it is touched by the Spleen; to∣wards the Back by the aorta, the vena cava, and under it backwards by the pancreas: all which fur∣ther its heat.
The bigness of it is commonly such, as is capa∣ble to receive so much food at one time, as is suf∣ficient for nutrition. It is less in Women than in Men, to give way to the distention of the Ma∣trix. They who have wide Mouths, have large Stomachs.
It is joyned with the gula on the left side,* 1.50 where its upper orifice is: it is tied to the duodenum, where the lower orifice is, on the right side. The bottom in the whole length of it is joyned to the upper part of the Caul, by whose mediati∣on it is joyned to the Liver, Back, Spleen, Colon and Pancreas.
The substance of it is membranous,* 1.51 that it might admit distention and contraction. It hath three Membranes. The first is common, which it hath from the peritonaeum or the Diaphragm about the upper orifice; it is the thickest of all those which spring from the peritonaeum; the Fi∣bres of it being nervous are straight, running from one orifice to the other, and encompassing
both its bottom and sides in their whole longi∣tude. Near the orifices and towards the bottom of the Stomach, they are far thicker than in the middle, insomuch as there they seem in a manner carnous and motory. These nervous Fibres of this Membrane do cross at right angles the car∣nous ones lying next under them.
The second is fleshy, and the Fibres of it are transverse, under which a few oblique, and those fleshy, lie. This Coat is believed by some to be muscular.
The third is nervous, endued with all kinds of Fibres; straight, oblique and transverse; but the straight are most conspicuous and plentifull.
It is something wrinkled, and its inner superfi∣cies is pulpous, porous and soft. It is always moistened with a slimy flegmatick humour, that sticks so close to it, as if it were something that grew out of it.
Besides these Membranes with their Fibres it hath also a parenchyma, but that not sanguineous, but of a peculiar sort. For without a parenchy∣ma how should the inequalities, that spring from the texture of the Fibres, be filled up? And what should that be, which those that make strings for musical Instruments, scrape from the Guts, if not it? for we see after such scraping they have lost nothing of their strength, which they owe to the Fibres and Membranes. And 'tis apparent that the substance of the Guts and Stomach is the same. Some there are that think this parenchyma that I plead for, to be almost wholly glandu∣lous.
It hath also two orifices.* 1.52
The one is in the left side, called sinistrum,
wider than that in the right, that meat not well chewed might the better pass. It is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 cor, from whence the region of the Stomach under the cartilago ensiformis is cal∣led scrobiculus cordis, or Heart-pit; and hence also the pains which happen in it are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because there is a great con∣sent between it and the Heart, by reason that the twigs of Nerves which proceed from the same branch, springing from the sixth pair, commu∣nicate to both; so that one being affected prima∣rily, the other must suffer by consent.
This hath orbicular Fibres, that the meat and drink being once received within the capacity of the Stomach, it might be exactly shut, lest fumes and the heat should break out, which might hin∣der concoction, and annoy the Head.
The other by the Grecians is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, janitor, or door-keeper, because it, as a Porter, doth make way for the Chylus to descend to the duodenum: It is not so wide as the other orifice, because it was only to transmit the elaborate Chy∣lus. Here the inmost nervous Coat is very full of wrinkles; the middle, which is carnous, hath here also two ranks of Fibres; transverse or anu∣lar, to straiten this passage; and secondly straight, viz. such as running lengthways do ga∣ther up and draw the rest of the Stomach towards this door, for the distribution of the Chyle after it has been sufficiently concocted in the Stomach.
It hath Veins,* 1.53 first, from the trunk of vena porta, and this is pyloricus ramus; or, secondly, from the branches of the same, for so from ramus splenicus it hath gastrica minor, and gastrica major (the largest Vein of the Stomach) from whence
coronaria springeth; gastro-epiplois sinistra, and vas breve: from the ramus mesentericus, before it be divided, it hath gastro-epiplois dextra. All these Veins, (as the rest of the Body) serve on∣ly to convey back again (towards the Heart) the remains of the arterial Bloud which in the circulation is not spent on the refection and nou∣rishment of the part; though some learned mo∣dern Anatomists think they do besides the arteri∣al Bloud receive some of the more subtile part of the Chyle for its readier conveyance into the mass of Bloud, and thence draw a reason of the very quick refreshment that hungry and faint persons receive by eating or drinking.
It hath its Arteries from ramus coeliacus,* 1.54 which do accompany every Vein, and have the same de∣nomination with them.
It hath Nerves from the par vagum,* 1.55 o•• the sixth pair (Dr. Willis's eighth) whose trunks passing down (below the pneumonick branch) by the sides of the Gullet are each divided into two branches, the outer and inner. Both the inner bran∣ches bending to one another grow into one, which passing with the Gullet through the Midriff goes on the outer part of the orifice of the Stomach, and spreads it self in its bottom. The two outer branches in like manner inclining to each other unite into one, which descending to the Stomach by the oesophagus, and arriving at the inner part of its orifice, there turns back and creeps through its upper part. The inner and outer branches as they come one on one side, and another on the other side of the upper orifice of the Stomach, send forth many small twigs, which mutually in∣osculating make there the plexus nerveus like a net.
From this multitude of Nerves interwoven in the mouth of the Stomach proceeds that great con∣sent betwixt it and the Head. (So that in any great concussion of the Head there follows a vo∣miting, and from the foulness of the Stomach the Head-ach, &c.) Here at this upper orifice, from the same reason, is the sense of hunger most ur∣gent.
And this is a proper place to resolve the questi∣on,* 1.56 What is the true cause of hunger? To which I shall give Diemerbroeck's answer as the most pro∣bable.
It is caused from fermentaceous (or dissolving) particles partaking of acrimony, bred of spittle swallow'd and other saltish or acid things eat or drunk, which sticking to the coats of the Stomach, and brought to some acidity by it, or remaining in it after the Chyle is sent off, affix'd to its inmost wrinkled Membrane (espe∣cially about its upper orifice) molest it by their twitching, which twitching being communicated to the Brain by the Nerves of the sixth pair, an imagination of taking meat is excited to asswage that troublesome corrosion.]He that doubts of the truth of this opinion, may find it evinc'd at large in his Anatome corporis humani, cap. 6. p. 39, &c.
The action of the Stomach is Chylification.* 1.57 Now Chylus is a white juice reasonable thick,* 1.58 like Barley cream, made out of the aliments taken; the manner whereof is well exprest by the same Author.
While the meat is chewing in the Mouth it is mix'd with the saliva, which not onely softens it, but endows it with a certain fermentative quality, unto which contributes also the drink, (whether Beer, or Wine, or
some other) which often contains in it acri∣monious particles and fermentaceous spirits. The Stomach by the help of its Fibres embra∣ceth closely the meat thus chew'd and swal∣low'd, and mixeth therewith specifick fermen∣taceous juices, bred in its inner coat, and im∣pregnated with the saliva. Then by a conve∣nient heat there is made a mixture and eliquati∣on of all; for that the fermentaceous particles entring into the pores of the meat, do pass through, agitate, and eliquate its particles, dissolving the purer from the crass, and ma∣king them more fluid, so that they make ano∣ther form of mixture, and unite among them∣selves into the resemblance of a milky cream: after which, together with the thicker mass, in which they are as yet involv'd by the constric∣tion of the Stomach they pass down to the Guts, where by the mixture of the bile and the pancre∣atick juice, they are by another manner of fer∣mentation quite separated from the thicker mass, and so are received by the lacteal Vessels, as the thicker is ejected by stool.]See further hereof in Dr. Charleton's third prelection before the College of Physicians, Sect. 6. p. 112.
Of figure,* 1.59 it is round moderately; partly, that it should not take too much room; partly, that it might receive much. It is somewhat long, and hath two orifices higher than the bottom, lest if one should have been in the bottom, the aliment should have issued out of it unconcocted.
THE Guts are called in Latin Intestina,* 1.60 in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from their being placed within the Body.
They are oblong,* 1.61 membranous, hollow, round, diversly twisted, continued from the py∣lorus to the podex, for conveying the Chyle, and the excrements of the first concoction.
They are knit together by the Mesentery,* 1.62 by which and by the intervention of the Caul (to which, part of the Colon is affix'd) they are tied to the back, and fill the greater part of the Cavi∣ty of the Abdomen, being sustained by the Cavi∣ties of the os ilium.
They are of a membranous substance like the Stomach,* 1.63 thinner in the small Guts and thicker in the great; and the nearer they come to an end, the thicker they are, as the end of Colon and the Rectum.
The length of the Guts is about six times the parties length whose they are.* 1.64 They are thus long (and winding) that the concocted aliments passing out of the Stomach, by their long stay in the Guts, might the more commodiously be fer∣mented by the admixture of the bile and pancrea∣tick juice, and so the more subtile chylous parts being separated from the thicker mass, might be the better and more leisurely driven into the nar∣row orifices of the lacteal Vessels, partly by the proper peristaltick motion of the Guts, and also
by the impulsion of the Muscles of the Abdomen moved in respiration. And hereby two great inconveniencies are avoided; the one of eat∣ing almost continually, which would have fol∣low'd from the Chyles having not time enough to be elaborated and distributed, before it would have arrived at the anus, whereby the Body must needs receive but small sustenance from any thing eat or drunk; the other (for the same reason also) of having almost a continual need of going to stool; as happens to such voracious animals as have a streighter passage from the Stomach to the anus.
They have three coats,* 1.65 as the Stomach; one common and outermost from the Peritonaeum, but mediately; for in the Duodenum, and that part of the Colon which cleaveth to the Stomach, it proceedeth immediately from the lower mem∣brane of the Caul; and in the jejunum, ileum, the rest of the Colon, caec••••m and rectum, it proceed∣eth from the membranes of the mesenterium. It is all over besmear'd with fat, and is truly ner∣vous.
They have two proper. The outer, being the middle of the three, is carnous. It has two ranks of moving Fibres, one lying under the o∣ther; The first and inner rank is annular or transverse, which encompassing the whole ca∣vities of all the Intestines in very close order, is inserted into the hem or seam of the Mesentery as into its Tendon. The other rank is of streight Fibres, which being spread above the former, and cutting them at right angles, reach along the whole length of the Intestines; and their Tendon seems to be the outmost coat, which be∣ing
wholly nervous, or as it were tendinous, is rolled about the whole rank of these Fibres.
The innermost is nervous, although it seem to be fleshy, by reason of the crusty substance with which it is lined, which is framed of the excre∣ments of the third concoction of the Guts them∣selves. This lining is called by Pecquet a spongy peristoma, by Bilsius a woolly moss; it serves as a Filtre for the Chyle to transcolate through in or∣der to its entrance into the venae lacteae; and be∣sides, it hindreth excoriation, which might be caused when sharp humours pass through the Guts. Some (as particularly Dr. Willis) take it for a distinct coat, and call it glandulo satunica or villosa; but I think 'tis only an epiphysis or excre∣scence upon the other, caused as abovesaid.
This Membrane in the small Guts, especially the ileum, is full of wrinkles, to stay the chylus from passing too soon; which wrinkles are caused, for that this inmost coat if it be sever'd from the other and the wrinkles stretcht open, will be (ac∣cording to Fallopius's observation) thrice as long as it. And the same Membrane is expanded in the Colon into little cells, for the slower passing of the faeces. It has all sorts of Fibres, and con∣tains the mouths of all the Vessels both sanguine∣ous and lacteal, which are cover'd with that spon∣gy crust before-mentioned.
What was said of the Parenchyma of the Sto∣mach in the foregoing Chapter, may without repeating it here, be applied to the Guts like∣wise.
As to their Vessels,* 1.66 the Veins flow from the Porta, although not from the same branch: For the duodenalis surculus is sent into the duodenum,
and the Haemorrhoidalis interna to the left part of the Colon near its ending, and thence running un∣der the rectum is inserted into its end or anus; as the dexter mesentericus is sent to the jejunum, ile∣um, caecum, and the right part of the colon. Epi∣plois postica is inserted into the middle part of the Colon, which marcheth transversly under the Sto∣mach: besides these, a sprig from the ramus hypo∣gastricus of the vena cava is sent to the Muscles of the intestinum rectum, which maketh the external haemorrhoidal.
The use of these Veins inserted into the Inte∣stines the Ancients thought to be, both to carry venal bloud to them for their nourishment, and also to receive the chyle out of them and carry it to the Liver there to be turn'd into bloud. As to the first use, 'tis certain (by the circulation of the bloud) that these Veins carry nothing to the Guts; but the bloud in them, is all received from the Arteries there, to be carried back to∣wards the Liver and so to the Heart: but as to the latter, there are some learned Anatomists that still think, though the greatest part of the chyle is received by the venae lacteae, yet that some part is suckt in by these Veins, so to be more readily convey'd into the mass of bloud. But this opinion is exploded by others as learned and more numerous, who deny any such office to them, whom I believe to be in the right. Be∣sides these sanguineous Veins there are another sort of Veins inserted (more or fewer) into all the Guts, called Lacteal, but of them we will treat in a distinct Chapter.
The Arteries spring partly from ramus coeliacus intestinalis,* 1.67 partly from both the mesentericae. To
the duodenum, and the begining of jejunum, a sprig is sent from the right ramus coeliacus: but to the rest of the jejunum, to ileum, caecum, and the right part of colon, mesentericus superior; to the left part of colon, and to the intestinum rectum, mesentericus inferior is sent. This last passing a∣long the rectum to the podex, makes the internal haemorrhoidal Arteries, as some branches from the arteria hypogastrica make the external. At the last, epiplois postica, which riseth from the lower part of arteria splenica, which is the left branch of arteria coeliaca, is sent to the middle part of colon, which lieth under the Stomach. Their use is to convey nourishment and warmth to the Guts; and when the Body is morbose, to carry thither the impurities of the bloud, upon a purge taken, or critically, so to pass out by stool.
Nerves they have from the inferiour ramifica∣tions of the intercostals.* 1.68 The duodenum hath some twigs from the upper branch of the ramus mesen∣tericus called stomachicus, which go also to the pylorus. All except the rectum have many twigs from the plexus mesentericus maximus, arising from under the great gland of the Mesentery; but the rectum, with the latter end of colon re∣ceive slips from that branch of the Intercostal that is called plexus abdominis infimus or minimus; and the utmost extremity of the Intercostal is inserted into the sphincter ani, whither also pass three or four that spring from the bottom of os sacrum. These Nerves serve for the feeling, and the peri∣staltick or worm-like motion of the Guts; which though it be obscure and slow, yet because it is continual, it had need of so great a number of Nerves or nervous Fibres as are bestowed on the
Intestines. The learned and curious that would be further informed about the peristaltick moti∣on, may consult Dr. Glisson in cap. 15. of his Book de ventriculo & intestinis, or Dr. Charleton in Sect. 3. of his third prelection before the Col∣lege of Physicians.
Though the Guts be one continued Body from the pylorus to the anus,* 1.69 yet from the thickness of their substance, also from their magnitude, fi∣gure, and variety of office they are distinguisht into several by Anatomists, and first into thin, and thick.
The thin possess the umbilical region and hypo∣gastrium;* 1.70 and in respect of their figure, situati∣on, longitude and plenty of lacteal Vessels, they are divided into three, viz. the duodenum, jeju∣num and ileon.
The first is called duodenum,* 1.71 because it is thought to have twelve inches in length. It doth pass from the pylorus under the Stomach towards the Spine, and is sustained in its passage by the Membrane of the Caul, and not by the Mesentery. It reaches as far as the left Kidney, to which and to the vertebrae of the Loins it is tied by membranous li∣gaments; and going a little lower it ends under the colon, where the anfractus or winding of the two following small Guts begins. It is thicker in its Membranes, but its passage (because streight) is straiter than theirs. Towards its lower end, sometimes higher, sometimes lower, it has most commonly two ducts leading obliquely into it; first the ductus choledochus communis by which the bile from the Liver enters this Gut; and second∣ly a little below this, ductus pancreaticus (other∣wise Wirtsungianus) by which the pancreatick
juice passes hither from the Sweet-bread: though these two ducts are sometimes joyned into one, and both open by one mouth into this Intestine. Sometimes, though rarely, they are inserted into the jejunum.
The second is called jejunum,* 1.72 or the hungry Gut; for it is for the most part found empty; partly by reason of the multitude of milky Veins that en∣ter it; partly by reason of the fermentation of the acrimonious choler with the pancreatick juice, which are both poured in just before its be∣ginning. In length it is twelve hand-breadths and three inches. It beginneth on the right side, under the colon, where the duodenum endeth, and the Guts begin to be wreathed; and filling almost the whole umbilical region, especially on the left side, it tendeth into the ileum, from which it may be distinguisht first by its emptiness; se∣condly by its greater number of Veins and Arte∣ries, from which it looks reddish; thirdly from the nearness of the folds or wrinkles of its inmost coat one to another, which are but about half an inch distant, whereas in the ileum they are a whole inch or more.
The third is ileum,* 1.73 derived 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, à cir∣cumvolvendo, from its many turnings and windings. It hath thinner Membranes than the rest of the tenuia. It is seated under the Navel, and filleth both the Ilia. It is the longest of all the Guts, for in length it containeth 21 hand-breadths; but it is the narrowest of all, for it is not an inch in breadth. It hath fewer wrinkles than the jeju∣num, and lesser, which about the lower end of it scarcely appear.
It beginneth where both smaller and fewer
Veins appear, and endeth about the place of the right Kidney, where it is joyned both with the in∣testinum caecum, & colon. It is easily distinguish∣able from the colon, for it is not joyn'd to it by a streight duct but transverse. For the colon and caecum are so united as to make one continued ca∣nal, whose lower side the ileon ascending pierceth, and into which its inner coat hangs loosely the length of half an inch at least, making the valve it self of the colon, and is the very limit that di∣vides the caecum from it.
This ileum oft falls down into the Cod, whence such a rupture is called Intestinal. And in this Gut happens the distemper called Volvulus or Ili∣aca passio, wherein there is often vomiting of the dungy excrement. This distemper is caused here∣in, either when one part intrudes into another, or when 'tis twisted and twined like a Rope, or when it is stufft with some matter that obstructs it, or lastly when it falls out of its place into the scrotum, as was noted before. And thus much of the first sort of Intestines, viz. the small or thin.
Now follow the intestina crassa,* 1.74 the great Guts; they are three in number also.
The first is called caecum,* 1.75 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the blind Gut, because one end of it is shut, so that at the same orifice the chylus (or faeces rather) passeth, and returneth. In Man it is about as thick and but half as long as your larger earth-worms stretched out at length; but its mouth that opens towards the colon is pretty large. It owes its ori∣gine rather to the colon than the ileum, and seems to be as it were an appendage to it. It is bigger in an Infant than in a Man. It is not tied to the
mesenterium; but being couched round, it is knit to the peritonaeum, and by its end it is joyned to the right Kidney, the peritonaeum coming be∣tween. In sound persons it is generally empty. In four-footed Beasts it is always full of excre∣ments. Apes have it larger than a Man, Dogs larger than Apes; but Conies, Squirrels and Rats, largest of all, if you consider the proporti∣on of their Bodies. Its use is very obscure in Men, being so very small and commonly empty. But in grown foetus's or Infants new born it is full of excrement, for which it serves as a store-house till after the birth that they go to stool. And in such Animals as have it large, (according to Dr Glisson) it serves for a bag or second Ven∣tricle, wherein the prepared aliments may be stored up, and so long retained, till a richer, thicker and more nutritive juice may be drawn from them.
The second is colon,* 1.76 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, either quasi 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 cavum, because it is the hollowest or widest of the Guts; or else 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ab impediendo, be∣cause it detaineth the excrements. It hath its be∣ginning from both the ileum and caecum, trans∣versely from the ileum, but directly from the cae∣cum. It ariseth at the os ileum on the right side, and ascending by its Spine it arrives at the right Kidney; to which parts it is annex'd by a mem∣branous connexion. From thence bending left∣ways it creeps under the Liver by the Gali-blad∣der (which tinges it there a little yellowish) to the bottom of the Stomach; to the whole length whereof it is tied, only the Caul coming between, (as also to the pancreas and Loins.) Then it comes to the lower part of the Spleen, and is knit
to it. Then touching the left Kidney, and ad∣hering firmly to it by Fibres, it comes to the left os ileum; from which descending by the left Groin to the pelvis it embraceth the bottom of the Bladder behind on each side. Afterwards it ascends upwards by the right Groin near the place from whence it first took its rise; and thence marching back again towards the left side, and running it self in betwixt the ileum and Back∣bone it reaches to the top of os sacrum, and there unloads it self into the rectum. Its length accor∣ding to Dr. Glisson is about seven feet; others reckon it shorter. It goeth almost quite about the abdomen next to the Muscles, that it may be the better compressed by them for avoidance of the excrements. Diemerbroeck has an ingenious reason why it should pass under the Stomach, viz. That as Chymists judge no digestion more natural than that which is performed by the heat of dung, so the heat of the excrements in the colon does help the coction of the Stomach.
It hath cells which spring from the internal Tunicle of it: These cells are kept in their figure by a Ligament half an inch broad, which passeth through the upper and middle part of it all along; this being broken or dissolved, the cells stretch out and appear no more. Their use is to hinder the flowing of the excrements into one place, which would compress the parts adjacent; as also for the slower passage of the faeces, that we may not have a continual and hasty need of going to stool. On its outside from its passing by the Spleen to its joyning to the rectum it has a great many fatty knots, which serve to moisten and lu∣bricate it, that the faeces may pass the more glibly.
The rectum also has such like, for the same rea∣son.
It hath a valve where it is joyned with ilium,* 1.77 (as was noted before) like to the sigmoides in the sinus of the Heart, as Spigelius compares it. This valve so stoppeth the hole which is common to the ileon and colon, that flatuosities cannot ascend to the ili∣um, much less excrements regurgitate. If one would find this out, let him pour water into the intesti∣num rectum, and hold up the Guts: The water will stay when it comes to the valve, if it be sound. If this valve be relaxed or torn by any means, ex∣crements may regurgitate, and be expelled by vomit, and clysters also ascend up to the Stomach, as hath often happened in the Iliacal passion.
The third is intestinum rectum,* 1.78 the streight Gut: it hath its beginning at the first vertebra of the os sacrum, where the colon endeth; and passeth streight downwards to the extremity of the coccyx, and is fast tied on its back-side to both by the peri∣tonaeum, to keep it from falling out; and on its fore-side it grows in men to the neck of the Blad∣der, whence in the pain of the Stone there, there often happens a tenesmus or continual inclination to go to stool; and in women to the neck of the Womb: but in both there is a musculous sub∣stance that comes between. It is a span in length, not so wide as the colon, but its Membranes are thicker. The Muscle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is at the end of it, which encompassing it round, purses it up close, so that nothing can pass out, unless it be relaxed voluntarily. This Gut (especially its inner Membrane) usually bags a little out in straining at stool, yea sometimes so much, that it requires an artificial putting up again.
TAB. II. pag. 43
As for the hemorrhoidal Veins and Arteries, that are inserted into the anus, we have given an account of them before in this Chapter; as we shall do of the Muscles belonging to it, in Book 5. of the Muscles, Chap. 19.
THE Mesentery is so called from its situati∣on.* 1.79 For it has its Greek name 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (from whence the English is derived) from its being placed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the midst of the Intestines. And it is a membranous part, situa∣ted in the middle of the lower Belly, serving not only for conveying some Vessels to the Intestines, and others from them, but also it ties most of the Guts together so artificially, that for all their manifold windings they are not entangled and confounded. Which may be much wondred at, how the Guts being about nine or ten yards long should all but the duodenum and a piece of the rec∣tum be comprehended by that circumference that is but a span distant from the centre; for no lon∣ger is the Mesentery betwixt those bounds. But it is almost of a circular figure, which is most ca∣pacious; and though it be narrow at its rise, (which is double, viz. at the first and third ver∣tebrae of the Loins) yet its circumference is wrinkled and enlarged into so many folds, as to be three ells in length, whereby it comes the nearer to answer the length of the Guts, and to keep them within a small compass and place like∣wise.
It is framed of two common Membranes,* 1.80 which it has from the duplicature of the peritonaeum; and betwixt these two it has a third Membrane that is proper, (which was first discover'd by
Dr. Wharton in a young Maid) and is thicker than either of the other two, wherein the glands are seated and by which the Vessels are con∣ducted.
The parts contained in the Mesentery are ei∣ther common or proper.* 1.81 The common are Veins, Arteries, Nerves and Lympheducts. The proper are Glands and the Venae lacteae. Of these last we shall speak in the next Chapter, of the rest here.
The Veins are called Mesaraicae;* 1.82 these spring from ramus mesentericus dexter & sinister, branches of the vena portae. (Their use, as also that of the Arteries, was shewn in the Chapter before, speaking of the Vessels belonging to the Guts.)
It hath also two Arteries,* 1.83 the one superior, the other inferior, branches of the arteria mesenteri∣ca, which pass as the Veins do.
As for the Nerves,* 1.84 Dr. Willis describeth them very accurately in his Book de Cerebro, cap. 25. which take thus in short. As soon as the interco∣stal pair is descended as low as over against the bottom of the Stomach, it sends forth on each side a large mesenterick branch, each of which is again divided, and makes two plexus in each side. In the middle of these is the greatest plexus of all, which (as he speaks) is like the Sun a∣mongst the Planets; from which twigs and nu∣merous Fibres are dispersed into all the parts of the Mesentery, which accompanying the sangui∣ferous Vessels in their whole process, do climb upon them and tie them about.] Others it hath from those which spring from the spinalis medulla, between the first, second, third and fourth verte∣brae of the Loins, (as Spigelius affirmeth.)
Besides these Vessels known to the Ancients,* 1.85 about 30 years agoe there were found out another sort by Tho. Bartholin (a learned Dane) and called by him vasa lymphatica, which he gives a large account of in Append. 3. to the libel. 1. de Venis, of which I shall give a compendium here, because the Mesentery abounds with them.
They are of figure long and hollow like a Vein, but very small and knotty, having very many valves which permit the lympha or water contain∣ed in them to pass to the chyliferous Vessels (and many Veins) but hinder its return. They are of a pellucid and crystallin colour, like hydatides, consisting of a transparent and most thin skin, which being broken and the lympha flowing out, utterly disappears. Their number cannot be de∣fin'd, for they are almost innumerable. As to their rise Bartholin speaks uncertainly, but Steno and Malpighius both declare that they always proceed from Glands. As to their insertion or ending, those under the Midriff do discharge their liquor into the receptaculum chyli (to be spoken of in the next Chapter.) Those in the thorax, immediately into the thoracick duct. And those of the Neck, Arms, &c. into the jugular vein. Bar∣tholin thought they all discharg'd themselves into these three channels: but Diemerbroeck affirms they open also into many other Veins; and quotes Steno noting that they empty themselves into the jugular and other Veins; and also his Countryman Frederick Ruysch writing that by li∣gature and structure of the Valves he has plainly seen, that all the lympheducts in the Lungs do discharge their lympha into the subclavian, axillar and jugular Veins. There has been much dispute
what this lympha which they carry, is. Bartholin thinks it to be the simple superfluous serum of each part, brought thither by the Arteries. Glisson, that it is a liquor condens'd from the ha∣litus of the bloud (like dew) driven into these Vessels, and flowing back with the vehicle of the aliment brought by the Nerves. Segerus (and Sylvius) that it is the animal spirits, or is made of them, which after they are distributed into all parts by the Nerves, are there partly consum'd and dissipated, and are partly condens'd into this water. Diemerbroeck quotes more opinions be∣sides these, but rejects them all, and establisheth this of his own: viz. That it is a fermentaceous liquor separated from the serous part of the bloud in the conglobate Glands, yet not simple, but impregnated with much fus'd and volatile salt, and also with some sulphureous particles; which when it is conveyed to the vasa chylifera, makes the chyle thinner, and apt to dilate easily in the Heart; and when to the Veins, prepares the ve∣nous bloud (now too thick) for a quick dilatation in the Heart.] This lympha, whatever it be, (or be for) differs from the serum; for if one gather a little of it in a spoon, and let it stand, without setting it on the fire, it will turn to a gelly, which the serum will not doe. And thus much of the Lympheducts (with their lympha) in general; as to those particularly of the Mesen∣tery, some only pass through it from other parts, as the Liver, &c. but many have their rise in it, and both the one and other are emptied into the receptaculum chyli.
It hath many little softish Glands fix'd in its proper Membrane,* 1.86 cover'd on each side by the
two common ones, and beset with fat. In num∣ber they are very uncertain; in Man fewer than in other Creatures. The biggest by much is at the rise or center of the Mesentery, (called by Asellius, pancreas) into which all the venae lacteae are inserted. Of its use, as also of the lesser, we shall speak in the next Chapter, when we come to treat of the passage of the Lacteals. We will only note here, that when these Glands grow scirrhous, or are any ways obstructed, so that the Chyle cannot transcolate through them, there follows a fluxus coeliacus, or chylosus, which con∣tinuing there ensues an Atrophy, and the party dies tabid.
The fat with which it is stufft betwixt its Mem∣branes,* 1.87 though it happen naturally to it, yet ought not to be reputed a proper part of it. For not to mention that in Dogs, Cats, and such like Animals this part is very thin and transparent, even in humane Embryo's it is without fat; and in very lean Men there is but little, though in fat Men it be heaped up to so great a thickness.
It is but one,* 1.88 yet because of its different thick∣ness it is divided by some into two parts.
The one they call Mesaraeum, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because it is placed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (subaudi 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) in the midst of the small Intestines, which it knits together; and this is the thicker part of it. The other being the thinner they call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, being seated 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the midst of the colon, to which it is joyned in its whole length save only in the colon's passage under the Stomach; and in its lowest border it adheres to the rectum.
Diseases incident to this part are reckoned up by Dr. Wharton to be these;* 1.89 those of intemperies,
straitness or obstruction, tumours of whatsoever kind, (Scirrhi, Scrophulae, Strumae) Inflammati∣ons, Abscesses, Ulcers, and Tone vitiated. Of all which the Reader that desires fuller informati∣on, may be satisfied by the said learned Author, in his Adenographia, cap. 11.
VEnae lacteae,* 1.90 the Milky veins (so called from the white colour of the Chyle which they carry) were not discover'd (as such) till the year 1622. when Caspar Asellius found them out in dissecting a Live-dog well fed. But since him many others have made a more accurate discovery of them. They are slender pellucid Vessels, having but a single Coat, dispersed through the Mesentery, infinite in number, appointed for the carrying of the Chyle.
They spring out of the Intestins,* 1.91 into whose inmost Membrane their Mouths are inserted, which are hid under a kind of a spongy crust or mucus, through which by the pression of the Guts the Chyle is strained and received by the mouths of these vessels. Presently after their rise they aim to that nearest part of the Mesentery, where∣to the Intestin from which they arise, is knit. Then they go the readiest way to such Glandules of the Mesentery as are nearest to them: but in
their passage sometimes many little branches meeting grow into one great trunk; namely, be∣fore they insinuate themselves into the Gland, to which we said they were going. But in their ve∣ry entrance into the Glands, or a little before, this trunk separates again into new branches, more and smaller than the other, which are obli∣terated in the very substance of the Gland. Out of the Gland there spring again new capillary Veins, which by and by meeting together make one trunk again as before: which being carried towards the beginning of the Mesentery, in their march joyn to themselves others of the same kind meeting them, and so grow larger and larger, and at last very many enter into the great or mid∣dle Gland of the Mesentery (called improperly Pancreas) in the same manner as they enter'd the smaller, and some pass by over its superficies, and by and by they all empty themselves into the great or common receptacle of the Chyle, that lies un∣der the said Gland, those that were inserted into it rising out of it, as was before spoken of the les∣ser Glands.
Bartholin says that behind the great Gland there are three other smaller (which he calls Lumbares) into which the Lacteals are inserted, but assents to Dr. Wharton, that from them they pass to the Receptaculum.
This common Receptacle is called Receptacu∣lum Chyli Pecquetianum,* 1.92 from Pecquet who first found both it and the ductus Thoracicus (whose be∣ginning it is) about thirty years ago. It might as well be called receptaculum Lymphae, for that the Lympha passes not only with the Chyle, but after this is all distributed, the Lympha still continues to
glide into it, and to ascend by the ductus chyliferus Thoracicus, which might be called Lymphaticus for the same reason. This Receptacle is seated un∣der the Coeliack artery and Emulgents at the ver∣tebrae of the Loins, whence there springs a duct•• that presently enters the Diaphragm with the Ar∣teria magna, where (being now enter'd the Tho∣rax) it begins to be called ductus Thoracicus. And now though it be past out of the Abdomen (of the contents whereof we are now treating) yet we will trace it through the middle Ventricle to the Heart whither it conveys its liquor, for the same reason that being to speak of the Stomach, we thought it best to speak of the Gullet, which is an appendage to it, and by which the meat de∣scends into it.
This Duct then having past the Midriff,* 1.93 it marches further upward under the great Artery till about the fifth or sixth vertebra of the Thorax, where it turns a little aside from under the great Artery to the left hand; and so below the inter∣costal Arteries and Veins, under the Pleura and gland Thymus, it ascends to the left subclavian Vein, into whose lower side it opens, just there where the left Jugular Vein enters into it on the upper side, so that their Mouths face one another. But it opens not into this Vein with any large ori∣fice, but by six or seven little ones, being all cover'd together in the interior Cavity of the Subclavia with one broad valve, looking towards the Cava from the Shoulder, whereby there is granted to the Chyle and Lympha a free passage out of the ductus Chyliferus into the Subclavia, but their re∣turn (or of Bloud with them) out of the Vein into the Duct is prevented. This Duct ending thus
in the subclavian Vein, the Chyle that it conveys into it passes with the Bloud (returning by the Cava) into the right ventricle of the Heart, where we will leave it, and return to the Venae lacteae again; having only observed, that this Duct has many Valves that hinder the ascending Chyle and Lympha from returning down again▪ which Valves are manifest by this, that the Chyle contained in the Duct may easily by the singer be pressed upwards, but by no means down∣wards; or if one make a hole in it, the liquor tending from beneath upwards will flow out at it, but that which is above it, is so stopt by the Valves, that it cannot be made to descend by it. And now for the Venae lacteae of the Mesentery.
They differ from the ordinary mesaraical Veins,* 1.94
First, in bigness; for these are bigger, but those are more in number; for they are more than twice as many: for more Chylus must pass by them, the way that has been spoken, to make Bloud of, for the nourishment of the whole Body, than there can be Bloud remaining from the nou∣rishment of the Intestins only to return by the Mesaraicks to the Liver.
Secondly, they differ in colour, by reason of the great difference in colour of their contained liquors. The Lacteals are white and limpid by reason of the whiteness and clearness of the Chyle which they contain; but the sanguinary Veins are of a dusky blackish colour.
Thirdly, they differ in their insertion; for the Lacteals, as has been said, are inserted into the great gland of the Mesentery called Pancreas, but the Mesaraicks all terminate in the Liver.
They have a pretty many Valves, but not so
many as the ductus Thoracicus.* 1.95 They may be dis∣cover'd the same ways as we intimated those of the Ductus might; viz. that if they be pressed to∣wards the great Gland, they are presently empti∣ed; but if one press them from the Gland to∣wards the Intestins, the Chyle will stop and can∣not be driven thither.
That the Ancients did not find out these Veins,* 1.96 the cause was, either because they only dissected Beasts after they were dead, or after that the Chylus was distributed, or they did not presently take a view of the Mesentery; but made some stay about the inspection of some other part.
THE Liver is seated in the upper and chief place of the Abdomen;* 1.97 namely about a fin∣gers breadth distance from under the Midriff, in the right Hypochondre, (under the short Ribs) which, being of a great bulk, it even fills, and reaches from thence towards the left side, a little beyond the Cartilago ensiformis, or pit of the Sto∣mach. Its upper part is convex or round and smooth, the lower side is hollow, lying on the right side of the Stomach and Pylorus, &c. Its lower edge reaches below the short Ribs (in a healthfull Man when he stands upright) and al∣most to the very Navel.
In Dogs and many other Brutes it is divided into divers Lobes,* 1.98 but in Man it is continuous;
only there is a little protuberance in its hollow side, whereby it is tied to the Caul, which Spige∣lius called a Lobe, and from him others, but it is improperly called so, and not at all like the Lobes in the Livers of Brutes.
It has three Ligaments (properly so called) which according to Dr. Glisson (de Hepate) are these.* 1.99 The first is called Suspensorium, for it ties up the Liver to the Diaphragm; it is broad, membranous and strong, arising from the ••erito∣naeum, and is not only fixed to the outer membrane of the Liver, but does indeed make it, and de∣scends even into it, and is strongly fastned to the common sheath or involucrum of the Vena cava (there where the umbilical Vein is continuous to it.) By this strong insertion it is the more able to bear up the great weight of the Liver.
The second is the Vena umbilicalis, which af∣ter the birth, closes up and hardens into a Liga∣ment. It is directly opposite to the former. It passes out of the fissure of the Liver and termi∣nates in the Navel. By this the Liver is kept from ascending upon the motion of the Dia∣phragm upwards in respiration.
The third is that whereby the Liver adheres to the Cartilago ensiformis. This is thin and flaccid, but yet strong, broad and doubled, arising from that Membrane wherewith the Liver is encompas∣sed, (according to Spigelius) of which it is a duplicature (according to Dr. Glisson.) This hinders it from fluctuating to one or t'other side, or towards the Back.
Besides these three Ligaments, it has several other connexions to the neighbouring parts, but they would improperly be called Ligaments.
Thus it is connected to the Vena cava, and Porta, to the Caul, and to several other parts either mediately or immediately.
It is covered with a very thin Membrane,* 1.100 which springeth from the first Ligament, (as was said before) which cleaveth firmly to the substance of the Liver. If it be separate at any time by a watrish humour, issuing out of the capillary Lym∣phaticks, watrish Pustules, by the Graecians cal∣led 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, are ingendered. If these break, the water falleth into the cavity of the Belly, and causeth that kind of Dropsie called Ascites.
Its substance or Parenchyma is red and soft,* 1.101 al∣most like concreted bloud, and may, when it is boiled, be easily scrap'd or brusht off the vessels. But though its Parenchyma look red, that is only from the great quantity of bloud that is poured into it from the Vena portae: for its proper co∣lour is pale, a little yellowish, such as the Liver is of when 'tis boil'd; and yet that yellowishness seems to be caused by the Bile passing through it; so that Malpighius thinks white to be its proper colour, and gives a far different account of its Parenchyma from others, whose observations by the Microscope Diemerbroeck thus represents (out of Malpig. lib. de Hepate, cap. 2.)
That 1. The substance of the Liver in Man is framed of Lo∣bules, and these are compounded of little Glands like the stones of Raisins, which look like bunches of Grapes, and are cloathed with a proper circumambient Membrane—2. That the whole bulk of the Liver consists of these little grape-stone-like Glands and divers sorts of Vessels; and hence, that they may perform together a common work, it is necessary that
there be a commerce betwixt these Glands and Vessels. 3. That the little branches of the vessels of the Porta, Cava, and Porus bilarius, do run through all even the least Lobules in an equal number; that the branches of the Porta do the office of Arteries, and that the Porta has so great society with the Porus bilarius, that both their twigs are straitly tied together in the same cover. 4. That the shoots of the said Vessels are not joyned by Anastomoses, but that the grape-stone-like Glandules, making the chief substance of the Liver, are a medium between the importing and exporting Vessels, so that by the interposition of these, the impor∣ters transfuse their liquor into the exporters. From these observations he concludes the Liver to be a conglomerate Gland, separating the Bile—and because it is usual for the con∣glomerate Glands to have, besides Arteries, Veins and Nerves, a proper excretory Vessel (as in the Pancreas, &c.) dispersed through their substance, and drawing out and carrying away the humour designed for them, this kind of Vessel in the Liver is the Porus bilarius with the Gall-bladder.]And this is a very proba∣ble account of it.
It hath two sorts of Veins.* 1.102 In its upper part the Vena cava entreth into it, and spreads it self all through it in the lower as well as upper part. Into the lower side the Vena porta is inserted, whose branches likewise run through its whole Parenchyma. Of both these Veins more fully in the two following Chapters.
It has but very small and few Arteries,* 1.103 for the Porta serves it for an Artery, bringing bloud to
it. Those which it has, do all arise from the right branch of the Arteria coeliaca, (called he∣patica) there where it is joyned to the Vena por∣tae, whence being sustained by the coat of the Caul it ascends to the hollow of the Liver just by the Porta, on whose coat, with the bilary Ves∣sels, and the membrane of the Liver, it is wholly spent. For as was said, the Parenchyma is nou∣rished by the bloud brought by the Porta.
It has Nerves from the Intercostal pair,* 1.104 name∣ly one from the stomachical branch thereof, ano∣ther from the mesenterical (called hepaticus.) But the Nerves are extended only to the Membrane and vessels of the Liver, (as the Arteries were) so that the Parenchyma has but a very dull sense.
Till the ductus Thoracicus Chyliferus was found out,* 1.105 it was still believed that the Venae lacteae were inserted into the Liver, which was looked upon as the great organ of sanguification; but now 'tis known for certain that no Lacteae at all go to the Liver, but that those vessels which were ta∣ken for such, are Lymphatick vessels carrying from it a most lympid and pellucid juice. That they are dispersed in the Parenchyma of the Liver, has not yet been observed; but it is very proba∣ble that they arise from its Glands, and coming out of its hollow or lower side, with the Porta, they encompass it round as also the ductus Commu∣nis, passing mostly towards the Mesentery; and under the Vena cava near the Pancreas (that is knit to the Stomach and Duodenum) a great ma∣ny do pass over a certain Gland (sometimes two or three) lying under the Vena porta and often adhering to it, and from thence with many others passed by the Gland, they open themselves into
the receptaculum Chyli. That these vessels bring nothing to the Liver, and so cannot be Lacteals, is apparent; for if in a Live-creature you make a Ligature betwixt the Stomach and Liver, in that part of the Mesentery that knits the Liver to the Stomach and Intestins (in which Ligature let the Vena portae and ductus Communis be comprehen∣ded) these vessels will presently swell betwixt the Ligature and the Liver, but be empty on that side towards the receptaculum Chyli; and the same is evident from their Valves also which open to∣wards the said Receptacle, but hinder any thing from coming back from thence to the Liver.
Concerning these we shall forbear to speak here,* 1.106 designing a particular Chapt. for them, viz. ch. 14.
Hippocrates in lib. 4. de Morb. says,* 1.107 The foun∣tain of bloud is the Heart, the place of Choler is in the Liver; This comes very near the truth, as shall appear hereafter. But from Galen downwards it was generally held that the Mesaraick Veins re∣ceived the Chyle from the Guts and brought it to the Liver, where it was turned into Bloud, and carried from thence into all the parts of the Body by the Veins. Yea and after the Venae lacteae were found out, they would needs have them to termi∣nate in it, thinking it the sittest Bowel for san∣guification, and presuming that that task must be performed by some or other. It would be need∣less here to stand to confute these opinions, now that all the world is convinc'd of their falsity, and by what hath been already said they may suf∣ficiently appear to be erroneous, no Chyle at all coming to the Liver. How and where sanguifica∣tion is performed, we shall shew when we come to the Heart, and here we shall declare the true use of the Liver.
The Liver then being discharged from sangui∣fication,* 1.108 it serves to separate the Bile from the Bloud brought plentifully to it by the Vena por∣tae. Concerning the nature of this Bile there have been divers opinions. The Ancients (amongst whom was Aristotle) thought it to be a meer ex∣crement, and to be of no other use than by its acrimony to promote the excretion of the Guts. And this opinion prevail'd so long as it was be∣liev'd that the Liver had a nobler action than to transcolate this Choler. But now it being found out that it has no other office, it is believ'd that so bulky a Bowel was never made for the separa∣tion of a meer excrement, and therefore they think it to be a ferment for the Chyle and Bloud, where∣by if they were not attenuated and prepared, they could not be enspirited in the Heart. This new doctrine I shall give entirely out of Diemer∣broeck, p. 154.
The venous Bloud flowing into the Liver by the Porta out of the Gastrick and Mesaraick veins (and may be a little by the Hepatick artery) is mixed with an acrimoni∣ous, saltish and subacid juice, made in the spleen of the arterious bloud flowing thither by the Arteries, and of the animal spirits by the Nerves, which is brought into the Porta by the ramus Splenicus. Now both these being entred the Liver by the branches of the Porta, by means of this said acrimonious and acid juice, and the specifick virtue or coction of the Liver, the spirituous particles, both sulphureous and salt, lying hid in the said venous bloud, are dissolved, attenuated, and become also a little acrimonious and fermenting; a certain thin∣nest part whereof, like most clear water, being
separated from the other thicker mass of the Bloud by means of the conglobated Glands, plac'd mostly in the hollow side of the Liver, is carried from thence by many Lympheducts, as has been said. But the fermentaceous spirits of greater acrimony, mixed with the thicker and more viscid sulphureous juices (for Sulphur is viscid) and more strongly boiling, whenas through the clamminess of the juices in which they inhere, they cannot enter the conglobated Glands nor from them the Lympheducts, and through their fierce ebullition are separated from the Bloud (as Yest from Beer) these fer∣mentaceous spirits I say being sever'd with the juice in which they inhere, become bitter and are called Bile. Which Bile being transcola∣ted through the grape-stone-like Glandules into the roots of the porus Bilarius and of the Gall∣bladder, passes through them by the ductus Communis into the Duodenum or Jejunum, wher•• it is presently mixed with the pancreatick juice, and both of them with the alimentary mass con∣cocted in the Stomach, and now passing down this way, which it causes to ferment. And be∣cause at its first entrance it is more acrimoni∣ous, and has its virtue entire, and so causes the greatest ••bullition with the pancreatick juice, hence the milky juice contained in the mass concocted in the Stomach, is most readily and in greatest quantity separated in the Jejunum, and by innumerable Lacteal vessels, (which are more numerous in this than the other Guts) it is most quickly driven on towards the receptacu∣lum Chyli, and this is the reason that this Gut is always so empty. But in the following Guts
because the fermentaceous spirits are a little pall'd, the effervescency becomes slower and less efficacious, and the Chyle is more slowly separated from the thicker mass, and therefore they have fewer Venae lacteae. At length what remains of this fermenting matter is mixed with the thick faeces in the thick Guts, where by its acrimony it irritates them to excreti∣on.]Thus far that perspicacious and judi∣cious Anatomist. And this I think is the best account hereof that has been given.
THough it be the method of Anatomists usu∣ally to deliver the doctrine of all the Veins in a distinct Chapter or Book after the descripti∣on of the three Ventricles; yet seeing all the Veins seem (and by the Galenists have been af∣firmed) to have their root in the Liver, of which therefore we cannot but take notice; on this ac∣count we will also describe their branchings with∣in the Abdomen, seeing they are parts contained in it. And we will begin with the Vena portae.
It is so called from the two eminences (called by Hippocrates 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.109 Portae, Gates) betwixt which it enters into the lower side of the Liver.
Some think that the Vena umbilicalis ought to be accounted its root or original,* 1.110 because it is first formed in the Foetus and inserted into the Porta. But this umbilical Vein after the birth ceasing
from the office of a Vein, and degenerating into a Ligament, though it might be accounted its root then, it cannot properly now. Others think, that because its branches every where inserted into the Intestins bring bloud from thence to the Liver, (and not vice versa) therefore those ought rather to be accounted its roots, and its divisions within the Liver its branches. And indeed strictly and properly they ought to be accounted so, but how∣ever we shall not think it absurd to speak with the Ancients, who because they thought the Porta car∣ried bloud from the Liver to the Guts for their nourishment, suppos'd the Liver to be its root.
As it enters into the Liver, it is invested with another Coat, which some call Vagina portae, its Sheath, others Capsula, its Case, and Capsula communis because the Porus bilarius is involved in it as well as the Porta. This outer Coat it has from the membrane of the Liver, (as that is from the Peritonaeum) that is, it is continued from it, though it be of a clear other substance, namely more dense and carnous. It is invested with it in all its ramifications, and so having a double Coat is in that respect an Artery, as also in that it brings bloud to the Liver for its nourishment as well as for other uses; and lastly in that by means of the Arteria hepatica inserted into the Capsula it has an obscure pulsation (according to Doc∣tor Glisson.)
When it is enter'd about half an inch into the Liver,* 1.111 it is carried partly to the right hand, partly to the left, and so is shap'd into a Sinus as it were, and thence is divided into five large branches, four whereof are diffus'd all over the hollow side of the Liver, but the fifth ascends
streight to its upper side where it disperses it self. And the said Sinus is more conspicuous in an Em∣bryo, because the great influx of nutritious juice out of the Umbilical vein enlarges it much. Moreover in an Embryo you may easily see the Tubulus or Ca∣nalis venosus passing directly out of this Sinus into the Cava (almost opposite to the mouth of the Umbilical vein.) This Canalis or Pipe is of the same substance and texture with a Vein, and en∣ters into the Cava just where it is knit to the Dia∣phragm; and there also two other great branches out of the Liver are inserted into the Cava; and in the same place this Pipe is also knit to the suspen∣sory Ligament spoken of before, and after the Child is born grows it self into a Ligament, being in a manner opposite to the umbilical Ligament. But to return to the divisions of the Porta. The Ancients taught that they were only spread in the simous or hollow part of the Liver, but Dr. Glis∣son in his accurate Anatomy of it, affirms the Porta to be dispersed very equally in all its parts, upper as well as lower. And whereas it has been a constant doctrine, that the branches of the Porta open by anastomoses into those of the Cava, the same learned Author, and many others since him, have observed that there are no such anasto∣moses at all, but that the bloud doth ouze through the glandulous Parenchyma of the Liver out of the Capillary veins of the Porta into those of the Cava. He that would be fullier informed hereof, may consult his most accurate Book de Hepate. But we will now pass to the branches of the Porta gone out of the Liver.
This Trunk parting a little from the Liver,* 1.112 before it be severed into branches, puts forth
two twigs, out of its upper and fore-part, which are inserted into the Cystis fellea or Gall-bladder (and are from thence called Cysticae gemellae) a∣bout the neck of it, and spread by innumerable twigs, through the external coat of it.
A third twig also that is bigger, but lower, springeth from this same fore-part, yet towards the right side, and is inserted into the bottom of the Stomach: from hence it sendeth many sprigs toward the hinder-part of it, towards the Back. This is called Gastrica dextra.
Having sent forth these three twigs, the Trunk passeth down, and bending a little to∣wards the left side, it is parted into two remarka∣ble branches; whereof the one is called sinister, or the left, seated above the right, but is the lesser: the other is dexter, or the right, lower than the left, yet larger. The left is bestowed upon the Stomach, the Omentum, a part of Colon, and the Spleen; the right is spread through the Guts, and the Mesenterium: the left is called Vena splenica; but the right Vena mesenterica.
The Vena splenica hath two branches before it come to the Spleen,* 1.113 the superiour and the infe∣riour.
The superiour is called Gastrica, or Ventricula∣ris. This is bestowed upon the Stomach; the middle twig compassing the left part of its orifice like a garland, is called Coronaria. From the in∣feriour branch two twigs do spring; The one is small, and sends twigs to the right side of the lower membrane of the Omentum, and to the Co∣lon annexed to it. This is called Epiplois, or O∣mentalis dextra. The other is spent upon the lower membrane of the Omentum which tieth the
Colon to the Back, and upon that part of the Co∣lon; it is called Epiplois, or Omentalis postica.
When the Ramus splenicus hath just approached to the Spleen, it doth send out two other twigs, the uppermost and the lowermost. The uppermost is called vas breve, and is implanted into the left part of the bottom of the Stomach.
This Vein the Ancients believed to carry an acid juice from the Spleen to the Stomach to stir up appetite and to help the fermentation of the meat; but it is certain both by Ligature (where∣by it filleth towards the Stomach and emptieth towards the Spleen) and also by the general nature of Veins, whose smaller branches and twigs still receive the superfluous arterial bloud from the part whereinto they are inserted, in∣to the larger chanels, and conduct it towards the Heart; I say it is certain from hence, that this same vas breve carries nothing to the Sto∣mach, but only brings from thence into the Ra∣mus splenicus the remains of the arterial bloud.
From the lowermost two Twigs issue.
The first is called Gastroepiplois sinistra; this is be∣stowed upon the left part of the bottom of the Sto∣mach, and the upper and left part of the Omentum.
The second springeth most commonly from Ramus splenicus, but sometime from the left Me∣senterick vein; and passing along according to the length of the Intestinum rectum, it is inserted into the Anus, by many twigs. This is called Hae∣morrhoidalis interna, as that which springeth from the Vena cava is called Haemorrhoidalis externa.
Now followeth Vena mesenterica,* 1.114 or the right branch of Vena portae. Before it be divided into branches, it sendeth forth two twigs.
The first is called Gastroepiplois dextra; this is bestowed upon the right part of the bottom of the Stomach, and the upper Membrane of the Caul.
The second is called Intestinalis, or Duodena: It is inserted into the middle of the Duodenum, and the beginning of the Jejunum, and passeth ac∣cording to the length of them: whence some ca∣pillary twigs go to the Pancreas and the upper part of the Omentum.
After these twigs are past from it, it enters by one trunk into the Mesentery, where presently it is divided into two branches, to wit Mesenteri∣ca dextra, & sinistra. Mesenterica dextra, placed in the right side, is double, and sendeth a number of branches to the Jejunum, Caecum, and the right part of the Colon, which is next to the right Kid∣ney and to the Liver.
It hath fourteen remarkable though nameless branches; but innumerable small twigs. One thing is to be noted, that the greater branches are supported by the greater Glandules, and the smaller by the smaller Glandules, though they enter not into them, for the Glands wait on the Venae lacteae.
Mesenterica sinistra passeth through the middle of the Mesenterium, to that part of Colon which passeth from the left part of the Stomach, and to the Intestinum rectum.
The use of the Porta hath been held till of late to be for the carrying nourishment to the Inte∣stins and other parts contained in the Abdomen,* 1.115 and also to bring back from the Guts the purer part of the Chyle to the Liver to make Bloud of, and a thicker feculent part of it to the Spleen, to be by it excocted into an acid juice, and then car∣ried
to the Stomach by the vas breve venosum for the exciting of hunger. As for this last opinion, it appears by Ligature that the vas breve carries its contents from the Stomach to the Ductus sple∣nicus, and it is nothing but the Bloud remaining from the nutrition of the Stomach (that was brought thither by the Arteries) that is now a conveying back to the Liver and so to the Heart again in its circulation. And as for the Mesara∣icks carrying nourishment to the Guts, or bring∣ing back Chyle, those errours have been suffici∣ently laid open before in the Chapters of the Venae lacteae and the Liver. And their true use is only to bring back to the Liver from the Guts that Bloud which remains after their nutrition, and which was carried to them by the mesaraick Arteries.
THE Vena cava is so called from its large Cavity,* 1.116 being the most capacious of any Vein of the whole Body; for into it as into a River or Chanel do all the other Veins like Rivu∣lets (excepting the Pulmonaria) empty them∣selves. Both within and without the Liver it hath but a single Coat.
Its root may very properly be said to be in the Liver;* 1.117 for by its Capillaries it receives the Bloud that is transcolated through the Parenchy∣ma of the Liver from the Capillaries of the Porta,
and by its ascending trunk conveys it to the Heart. Now these roots may in some regard be commodiously enough also called branches; for the roots of a Tree in the Earth, as well as its boughs in the Air are spread into many bran∣ches: only there is this difference, that roots bring juice to the trunk, but boughs carry it from the same. However we shall call them indiffe∣rently roots or branches. The capillary bran∣ches then of the Cava are spread through the whole substance of the Liver, and not its upper or gibbous part only, as has formerly been taught; even as we said before that the Capillaries of the Porta were indifferently dispers'd all over it. Betwixt these Capillaries (much less betwixt their larger branches) there are no inosculati∣ons or anastomoses, but those of the Porta being quite obliterated in the glandulous Parenchyma of the Liver, these of the Cava arise out of the same, and whiles they pass towards the Cava ma∣ny of them meeting together make a twig, as ma∣ny twigs in like manner concurring make a branch, which still proceeding further by the accession of new twigs and branches encreaseth its chanel, untill at length it dischargeth it self into the Cava. And thus do all the roots of the Cava in the Liver. Wherein they do not all meet together in one common trunk as those of the Porta do, but empty themselves apart into the Cava without the Liver. And still the further distance the Capillaries have their origine from the Cava, the larger their chanel comes to be at their arrival towards it. The smaller twigs are innumerable; the larger roots joyning immedi∣ately to the Cava are commonly but three, though
two of them are presently (towards the Liver) divided into other two, as large each as them∣selves, so that one may account them to be five. These emptying all the Bloud exhausted out of the Liver into the Cava, it is presently divided into the Ascending and Descending trunk. The As∣cending forthwith enters the Diaphragm and marches up the Thorax, where we shall leave it till we come thither, and only here speak of the Descending trunk as long as it continues in the Abdomen.
The Descending trunk is somewhat narrower than the Ascending,* 1.118 and passing down along with the great Artery it continues undivided till the fourth vertebra of the Loins. But in the mean time it sends forth divers slips from its trunk. As
1. The Venae adiposae, for the Coat and fat of the Kidneys; that on the left side goes out first.
2. The Emulgents, descending to the Kidneys by a short and oblique passage; these bring back that bloud to the Cava which the emulgent Arte∣ries carried to the Kidneys with the Serum.
3. The Spermaticks called Vasa praeparantia. The right springeth from the trunk of Vena cava a little below the Emulgent; but the left from the left Emulgent it self. Of these more in the 20th Chapter.
4. The Lumbares, sometimes two, sometimes three, carried to be tween four vertebrae of the Loins.
All these Veins being sent forth of the trunk, by this time it is come to the fourth vertebra of the Loins, where it goes to behind the Arteria magna, above or before which it had thus far de∣scended,
and is divided into two equal branches, called Iliaci, because they pass over the Os ile∣on, &c. as they go down to the Thighs.
Just about the division there spring two Veins called, Muscula superior, for the Peritonaeum and Muscles of the Loins and Abdomen; and Sacra, which is sometimes single, sometimes double, for the marrow of Os sacrum.
Afterwards the Iliacal branches are again di∣vided each into two other, the exteriour that is greater, and the interiour that is less.
From the interiour arise two Veins: Muscula media, for the Muscles of the Hip and Buttocks; and Hypogastrica, which is a notable one, some∣times double, for most parts of the Hypogastrium, as the Muscles of the streight Gut, which are the external Hemorrhoidals; for the Bladder and its neck, the Yard, and the lower side of the Womb and its neck, which last are the Veins by which the Menstrues were believed to pass, before the circulation of the Bloud was found out; for since, 'tis known that they pass by the Hypogastrick arteries, and what Bloud is not sent forth at those times, or at other times is not spent on the nu∣trition of the parts, returns by these Veins to the Cava, and by it to the Heart.
From the exteriour, three: two before it goes out of the Peritonaeum, and one after.
1. Epigastrica, for the Peritonaeum and the Muscles of the Abdomen; the most noted branch of it ascends under the Musculi recti towards the Venae mammariae, with which they have been thought to inosculate about the Navel.
2. Pud••nda, for the Genitals in Men and Wo∣men; this goes transversly to the middle of Os pubis.
3. Muscula inferior, for the Buttocks.
And now the descending branches of the Cava are past out of the Abdomen into the Thigh, and begin to be called crural; and of them we shall discourse when we come to the Limbs, in Book 4. cap. 4.
Now the use of this Descending trunk of the Vena cava is not to carry any thing to any part from the Liver;* 1.119 but wheresoever its lesser twigs end into Capillaries, from thence is Bloud recei∣ved (being brought thither by the respective Ar∣teries) and conveyed into the greater branches and by them into the trunk of the Cava, by which it ascends to the right ventricle of the Heart, there to be anew inspirited, and from thence to be sent forth again by the Arteries, as shall be further explained when we come to the Heart.
For though the Descending trunk of the Aorta or great Artery pass down the Abdomen along with that of the Cava, and so is contained there∣in as well as it; yet because the Arteries have all of them their origine from the Heart, we will forbear to speak of them till we come to the Ana∣tomy of it, in the next Book.
FOR the receiving and evacuating of Bile there are two vessels or passages framed in the right and hollow side of the Liver, namely the Gall-bladder, and Porus bilarius. By this latter there flows a thicker but milder, by the former a thinner, more acrimonious and fermen∣tative Choler into the Intestins.
The Gall-bladder,* 1.120 called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Latine Vesica bilaria, or Folliculus fellis, is a hollow Bag placed in the hollow side of the Li∣ver, and in figure representeth a Pear.
It is about two inches in length,* 1.121 and one in breadth.
By its upper part it is tied to the Liver,* 1.122 which doth afford it a hollowness to receive it; but the lower part which hangeth without the Liver, resteth upon the right side of the Stomach, and the Colon, and doth often dye them both yel∣low.
It hath two Membranes,* 1.123 the one common, which is thin and exteriour, without Fibres. This springing from the membrane of the Liver, only covereth that part which hangeth without the Liver. The other Membrane is proper.
This is thick and strong,* 1.124 and hath three sorts of Fibres; the outermost are transverse, the middlemost oblique, and the innermost streight.
Within, it hath a mucous substance or crust, engendred of the Excrements of the third con∣coction
of its Membrane, to withstand the acri∣mony of the Choler.
It hath two parts,* 1.125 the Neck and the Bottom.
The Neck is harder than the Bottom, and higher in situation.
It from the bottom by degrees growing nar∣rower and narrower, at last endeth in the Ductus communis, or the common passage of the Choler, which is inserted into the beginning of the Jeju∣num, or the end of the Duodenum.
This elongation of the neck of the Vesica fellea, is called Meatus cysticus, because it springeth from the Cystis.
The Choler is conveyed into the Vesica by ma∣ny very small roots,* 1.126 dispersed in the Liver be∣tween the branches of the Porta and Cava; they are so very small that they are scarcely discerni∣ble, but when they meet together, they make one pretty notable Trunk which is inserted into the Cystis near its Neck, with a Valve before its Mouth to hinder the regurgitation of the Choler. (For in the Jaundice the Choler does not return out of the Gall-bladder into the Bloud again, but either for want of a convenient ferment it is not separated from the Bloud, or when the neck of the Vesica is stopt that none can pass out of it into the Guts, then the Gall-bladder is presently so fill'd that it cannot receive any more; and so the Choler being forc'd to stagnate in its roots, is re∣ceived in by the branches of the Cava, and there∣by contaminates the whole mass of Bloud.) But though it be evident that the Choler is brought into the Vesica by this Pipe, yet if one open the Bladder to look for its Mouth in the Cavity, one shall hardly find where it is; which is no wonder,
seeing it is so difficult to find the insertions of the Ureters into the urinary Bladder, which are vastly larger than this. But Dr. Glisson says, that near its neck in the inside, there is a little spongy protuberance, into which this Trunk is pretty plainly inserted; and this protuberancy is the same that we called before a Valve.
It has been taught by several Anatomists,* 1.127 that its Neck or Meatus has sometimes two, sometimes three Valves to hinder the recourse of the Cho∣ler: but Diemerbroeck professes he could never find any, but only that the egress of the Vesica was very strait, and its Neck wrinkled. Dr. Glis∣son declares also that he could never discover any in it, but on the contrary, he has often with a slight compression of his fingers found, that the Choler will fluctuate to and again, out of the Cystis into the Meatus, and on the contrary, as also out of the Meatus into the Ductus communis and back again; so that he cannot believe there is any thing of a Valve in the whole passage. But one thing which he thinks has impos'd upon Ana∣tomists, is a certain fibrous Ring (or Sphincten as it were) which is seated just at the end of the Bladder and beginning of its Neck, which makes the passage betwixt them exceeding strait; but this cannot be a Valve, because as he observes the Choler will go either way through it.
The Vesica fellea hath two Veins called Cystica gemellae,* 1.128 which spring from the Porta.
It hath sprigs of Arteries proceeding from the right branch of the Coeliaca. And it hath a small thread-like sprig of a Nerve from the Mesenteri∣cal branch of the Intercostal.
Many times stones are found in it,* 1.129 which be∣ing lighter and more spongy than those of the Bladder will swim above water.
The other passage which carrieth the thicker sort of Choler,* 1.130 is called Porus bilarius, or Meatus hepaticus, because it passeth directly from the Liver to the Ductus communis.
Within the Liver its Trunk and Branches are invested with a double coat; its proper one, which it retains without the Liver also, and ano∣ther that is common to it with the Porta called Capsula communis, which it has from the mem∣brane of the Liver. In this common coat this Porus and the Porta are so closely enwrapped that you would take them but for one Vessel, till you either hold it up to the light, (which will disco∣ver Vessels of two colours in it) or very dex∣trously rip up the Capsula, and so lay them open. Its roots within the Liver are equally divided with those of the Porta every where, saving that little space where the roots of the Vesica are spread, in the simous and right side of the Liver. So that having spoken above of the divisions of the roots of the Porta, I shall refer the Reader thither for these of the Porus. I shall only ob∣serve that they are far larger and more numerous than those of the Vesica, drawing Choler from all the parts of the Liver (saving whither the roots of the Bladder reach) and that more thick and viscous, yet less acrimonious.
This Porus seems to be a more necessary part than the Vesica; for many Creatures, as Harts, Fallow-deer, the Sea-calf, &c. and those which have a whole Hoof, have no Gall-bladder, but there is none that is destitute of this.
Without the Liver it is as wide again as the Meatus cysticus, with which it is joyned at two inches distance from the Liver, and both make the Ductus communis choledochus. It has no Valve in its whole progress; only the Ductus communis, where it enters the Intestin, having pierced the outer coat, passes betwixt that and the middle∣most about the twelfth part of an inch, and then piercing that also marches down further betwixt it and the innermost coat about half an inch, and at last opens with a round mouth into the Intestin. So that this oblique insertion (as that of the U∣reter into the urinary Bladder) serves instead of a Valve to hinder any thing from regurgita∣ting out of the Gut into this Duct, especially the inmost Tunicle of the Intestin hanging so flaggy before its mouth, that when any thing would en∣ter in, it claps close upon it and stops it.
As to any anastomoses of the roots of either of these Bilary vessels with those of the Vena portae, such indeed have been much talkt of, but without truth, for their extream Twigs or Capillaries terminate in the Parenchyma of the Liver, out of whose grape-stone-like Glandules they imbibe the Choler there separated from the Bloud; even as was said before of the Capillaries of the Cava, that they received the Bloud it self imported by the Porta, in like manner, without any inoscula∣tions.
The use of both these Vessels may sufficiently be learned by what has already been said of them.* 1.131 As also may the use of the Bile it self from what we quoted above out of Diemerbroeck, when we were treating of the action of the Liver, chap. 12. We will only further note two things.
First, that sometimes the Ductus communis is very irregularly inserted. For in some it is knit to the bottom of the Stomach, and then the party vomiteth Choler, and is termed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; and sometimes it is inserted into the lower end of the Jejunum, and then bilious dejections follow: and such a one is termed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
A second thing is concerning the colour of the Bile; that though for the most part, (in a health∣full state) it be yellow, yet preternaturally and in a morbous state it is often of several other co∣lours, as pale-coloured, eruginous, porraceous, vitelline, reddish and blackish. And when it thus degenerates and corrupts, it is the cause of most violent and acute Diseases; as the Cholera morbus, Dysentery, Colick, &c.
THE Pancreas (as much as to say All-flesh) or the Sweet-bread,* 1.132 except its Membranes and Vessels, is wholly Glandulous. It seems to be compacted out of many globules or knots in∣cluded in a common Membrane, and joyn'd to∣gether by the Membranes and Vessels. Every Globule by it self is somewhat hard; but all to∣gether (because of their loose connexion) seem softish. It is of a palish colour, very little tinc∣tured with red. Its Membrane it has from the Peritonaeum.
It is seated under the bottom and hind-part of the Stomach,* 1.133 and reaches from the Cavity of the Liver (namely from that part where the Porta enters it) to the Spleen, cross the Abdom••n. It is knit also to the Duodenum, (sometimes to the) Porus bilarius, the Rami splenici, the Caul, the upper part of the Mesentery, and upper Nervous plexus of the Mesentery. It is not joyned to the Spleen.
Its figure is long and flat,* 1.134 broader and thicker about the Duodenum, but towards the Spleen thinner and straiter.
It is lesser than most of the Bowels,* 1.135 but by much the greatest Gland in the Body, commonly about five fingers breadth long; where it is broa∣dest, it is about two fingers breadth; and about one fingers breadth thick.
Its Vessels are of five kinds.* 1.136 Veins it has from the splenick branch; Arteries from the left branch of the Coeliaca, sometimes from the sple∣nick; Nerves from the Intercostal pair, especi∣ally from the upper plexus of the Abdomen; it has also many Vasa lymphatica, which, as the rest, pass to the Receptaculum chyli. But besides these Vessels which are common to it with other parts, it has a proper membranous Duct of its own, which was first found out by Wirtsungus at Padua ••ight or nine and thirty years agoe. This Vessel commonly has but one Trunk, whose orifice o∣pens into the lower end of the Duodenum or be∣ginning of the Je••unum, and sometimes is joyned to the Ductus bilarius with which it makes but one mouth into the Intestin. Within the Pancreas (according to Dr. Wharton) it is divided into two Branches, which send forth abundance of
little Twigs into all the Globuli above spoken of, by whose means they receive the humours from all over the Pancreas, and by their Trunk trans∣mit them to the Guts. This pancreatick hu∣mour tho' is never found in this Duct, because it so quickly flows out into the Duodenum by a steep way; even just as Urine, passing out of the Reins by the Ureters to the Bladder, is never found in them because of its rapid transit.
Very many have been the differences of opini∣ons concerning the use of this Glandule.* 1.137 Some have thought it to be only of use to sustain the divisions of the Vessels, and to serve the Stomach for a Cushion; others that it ministers a ferment to the Stomach; others that it receives the Chyle, and brings it to greater perfection; and others that it serves as a Gall-bladder to the Spleen, or sometimes serves in its stead. Which opinions being all very unlikely, I shall not spend time to examine them. There are two other opinions, for the former whereof let the credit of the learned Author (viz. Dr. Wharton) re∣commend it as it can, but to me it seems impro∣bable, and it is this, That it receives the excre∣ments or superfluities of the superiour plexus of the Nerves of the sixth pair (Dr. Willis's Inter∣costal) being united with some branches from the spinal marrow, and by its proper Vessel or Duct discharges them into the Intestins. In an∣swer unto which I shall only say this, That I can∣not tell how thick Excrements should be convey'd by the Nerves that carry such pure animal spirits, and have no visible Cavity; nor secondly how these Nerves in particular should electivè (as he speak) send the Excrements hither, and all the
rest be discharged from any such Office. The last opinion, and to me the most probable, is defended by famous Physicians and Anatomists, as Franc. Sylvius, Bern. Swalve, Regn. de Graef and Isbrand de Diemerbroeck, from which last I shall transcribe it.
I have found, saith he, in the dissections of Brutes both alive, and newly strangled, a certain liquor sublimpid and as it were salivous, (something austere and lightly subacid, and having sometimes something of saltishness mixed) to flow out of the Ductus pancreaticus into the Duodenum, sometimes in a pretty quantity. Whence I judged—that there is excocted in the Pancreas a peculiar hu∣mour from the serous and saltish part of the ar∣terial bloud brought into it, having some few animal spirits convey'd thither by small Nerves mixed with it, and that this liquor flowing into the Duodenum, and there presently mixed with the Bile, and the meat concocted in the Sto∣mach gliding by the Pylorus into the Guts, does cause a peculiar effervescency in those aliments, whereby the profitable chylous particles are separated from the unprofitable, are attenua∣ted, and being brought to greater fusion (This operation of it, says he, is shewn by the diversity of the substance of the aliments, con∣cocted in the Stomach and still there contained, from that of those that have already flow'd into the Intestins: for the former are viscid and thick, and have the various colours of the food taken; but the latter on the contrary are more fluid, less viscid, and more white) are withall made apt to be impelled by the peristaltick motion of the Guts, through their inner mu∣cous
coat into the Lacteal vessels, the other thicker by little and little passing down to the thick Guts, to be there kept till the time of excretion. Now this effervescency is caused through the volatile salt and sulphureous oyl of the Bile meeting with the acidity of the pancreatick juice; as in Chymistry we observe the like effervescencies to be caused by the con∣course of such things.]Thus he. So that he will not have this juice to be any thing excremen∣titious, nor to be so very little in quantity as some have affirmed; to demonstrate which he cites the experiment of de Graef, who in live∣dissections could gather sometimes an ounce of it in seven or eight hours time, which he has tasted, and found it of the tast before-mentioned, viz. something austere, subacid and saltish. Vide ejus Anatomen corporis humani, p. 73, &c. where you may see what Diseases it is the cause of when distempered.
THE Spleen or Milt in English, in Greek is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and from thence Splen in La∣tin, and Lien.
The substance of it is flaggy,* 1.138 loose and spon∣geous, commonly held to be a concrete san∣guineous body, serving to sustain the vessels that pass through it: but Malpighius with his Micro∣scope
scope has discover'd it to be a Congeries of Mem∣branes form'd and distinguish'd into cells like Ho∣ney-combs. And in these cells there are very many Glands. He describes them thus (lib. de Liene cap. 5.)
In the Spleen, says he, there may be observed numerous bunches of Glands, or if you will, of Bladders or little Bags dispersed all over it, which do exactly resemble a bunch of Grapes. These little Glands have an oval figure, and are about as big as those of the Kid∣neys: I never saw them of other colour than white; and though the Bloud-vessels of the Spleen be fill'd with ink, and play about them, yet they always keep the same colour. Their substance is membranous as it were, but soft and easily crumbled; their Cavity is so small that it cannot be seen, but it may be gues∣sed, in that when they are cut they seem to fall into themselves. They are almost innumerable, and are placed wonderfully in the aforesaid cells of the whole Spleen, where vulgarly its Paren∣chyma is said to be; and they hang upon fibres arising from their case, and consequently on the utmost ends of the Veins and Arteries, yea the ends of the Arteries twist about them like the Tendrils of Vines, or clinging Ivy.—Each bunch consists of seven or eight.]Thus he. It has abundance of nervous Fibres.
It is commonly but one in Men,* 1.139 though some have found two, yea Fallopius three. In Dogs there are sometimes two or three, unequal in big∣ness, out of each of which there passes a vessel in∣to the Ramus splenicus.
It is covered with a Membrane borrowed from the Peritonaeum,* 1.140 which is thicker than that of the
Liver. First, because the Spleen hath a looser substance. Secondly, because it hath more Ar∣teries, which require a strong Membrane to su∣stain their beatings. Diemerbroeck says, it has two Membranes; one from the Peritonaeum which is outer and common; the other inner and pro∣per, arising from the outer Membrane of the vessels entring the Spleen, interwoven with a wonderfull texture of Fibres; and that betwixt these two the Vasa lymphatica, of which after∣wards.
In Infants new born it is of a red colour;* 1.141 in those of a ripe age it is somewhat blackish; and in old Men it is of a leaden or livid colour. Be∣ing boiled it looks like the dregs of Claret.
In Man it is bigger,* 1.142 thicker and heavier than in Beasts; for it is six inches in length, three in breadth, and one in thickness. Sometimes it is much larger, but the bigger the worse. Spigelius has observed that it is larger in those that live in fenny places, than in those that live in dry; and in those that have large Veins, than in them that have small.
In figure it is somewhat long,* 1.143 like an Oxe's Tongue. Towards the Stomach on its inner side it is somewhat hollow; on its outer, gibbous, having sometimes some impression upon it from the Ribs. It is smooth and equal on either side, save where in its hollow side it has a streight line or seam (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) at which place the splenick Ves∣sels enter into it.
It is seated in the left Hypochondrium opposite to the Liver:* 1.144 (so Hippocrat. 6. Epidem. calleth it the left Liver; and Aristot. 3. de histor. animal. 7. the bastard Liver) betwixt the Stomach and that
end of the Ribs next the Back; in some higher, in others lower: but naturally it descends not be∣low the lowest Rib. Yet sometimes its Liga∣ments are so relaxed, that it reaches down lower, yea sometimes quite break, so that it slips down into the Hypogastrium: so Riolanus tells the story of a Woman that was troubled with a Tumour there, which was taken by her Physicians for a Mole, but dying of it, and being opened, it was found to be occasioned by the Spleen fallen out of its place and lying upon the Womb. And as it very much endangers life when it falls out of its place, so can it not with safety be quite cut out of the Body, whatever some have boasted of. But none but obscure Men (of no credit) have bragg'd of such feats; and how can one imagine that a part so difficult to come at, and that has such large vessels inserted into it, (not to menti∣on its use) could with safety be taken out of the Body? Wounds in it are commonly mortal; in∣flammation, or but obstructions in it do grievously afflict the Patient and sometimes kill him: sure then the total ablation of it must be very fatal. This experiment hath indeed been tried upon Dogs, and some have liv'd after; but then they have grown pensive and lazy, and not liv'd long neither.
It is tied to five parts;* 1.145 its upper part to the Midriff, and its lower to the left Kidney by small Membranes; by its hollow part which giveth way to the Stomach being distended, to the upper membrane of the Omentum, and to the Stomach by vas breve. In its gibbous or arched part it is tied to the Back, for thither it inclines.
It hath Vessels of all kinds;* 1.146 as 1. Veins from the Ramus splenicus of the Vena portae,* 1.147 which are dis∣persed throughout its Parenchyma, and come out of its hollow side in three or more branches, which unite presently into the abovesaid Ramus. The said branches at their coming out of the Spleen have each one a Valve which look from the Spleen outwards, permitting the humours to flow from the Spleen to the Ramus splenicus, but hindering them from returning back. And though one cannot discover any anastomoses of the Veins with the Arteries in the substance of the Spleen (the Bloud passing out of one into the other in like manner as in the Liver, namely through and by help of the Glands) yet there is one notable one of the Splenick artery with this Ramus splenicus before it enter the Spleen. Whose use must be, partly to further the motion of the humours contained in the Ramus towards the Li∣ver, partly that the superfluous plenty of Bloud, which perhaps cannot pass quick enough through the narrow passages of the Spleen, may return back again by help of this anastomosis, through the Ramus to the Liver. There is also another Vein called vas breve, which arising out of the bottom of the Stomach is inserted into the Ramus just as it comes out of the Spleen or a little after. The errour of the Ancients as to the use of this Vessel was detected before, chap. 12. and its true use declared.
It hath two Arteries,* 1.148 entring one at its upper, the other at its lower part. These commonly spring from the left Coeliack branch, which is called the Splenick artery; but sometimes (saith Diemerbroeck) from a certain branch arising out
of the very trunk of the Aorta, and proceeding by a bending Duct along the side of the Pancreas to the Spleen, where they are branched into a thousand Twigs. By these Arteries the Bloud flows to it, where if it have not a free passage in∣to the roots of the Veins and into the Ramus sple∣nicus, it causeth a great pulsation, so high that as Tulpius relateth (lib. 2. observat. 28.) it has been heard by those that have stood 30 foot off.
Nerves it hath from one of the mesenterical branches of the Intercostal pair,* 1.149 which are not all spent on its investing Membrane (as has been thought) but some enter into its substance, which yet has a very dull sense; but that proceeds not from defect of Nerves (for it has a pretty many Twigs) but from that stupor or numbness which that acid juice that is bred in the Spleen, must be conceived to induce upon them.
Though Dr. Wharton in his Adenographia,* 1.150 cap. 4. going about to prove the Spleen to be no Gland, uses this as one argument, that there were never observed any Lympheducts to be di∣stributed through this part; yet Olaus Rudbeck, Fr. Sylvius, Malpighius, Diemerbroeck, &c. af∣firm it to have many, which arising from its con∣globate Glands pass through the Omentum very plainly into the Receptaculum Chyli. See them ex∣prest in the following figure of a Calfs Spleen.
The Ancients knowing neither the true pas∣sage of the Chyle,* 1.151 nor the circulation of the Bloud, erred grosly as to the use of this part. They thought that it attracted a more feculent and melancholick part of the Chyle, by the Ra∣mus splenicus, which having a little elaborated, it sent it out again partly by the vas breve, and
partly by the internal hemorrhoidal; but it is certain, both that no Chyle, nor indeed Bloud passeth by the Ramus splenicus to the Spleen, as neither any thing from the Spleen by the above∣said Vessels; but whatever they contain comes towards the Spleen, namely into the Ramus, and what is in it goes to the Liver. One need add no further reason to evince the errour of their opinion; nor that of those that would make it a sanguifying Bowel. Dr. Glisson (in lib. de He∣pate, cap. 45. p. 434.) thinks it to make an ali∣mentary juice or at least a vehicle for it, which being first imbib'd by its nervous Fibres is from them received into the Nerves, by which it is first carried to the Glandulae renales; where being re∣fin'd it is received again by the Nerves, and is carried to the Brain and Spinal marrow, and from thence by the Nerves again into all the parts of the Body. We will not here enter into a dis∣pute about the nutritious juice of the Nerves; but supposing it, certainly this seems an odd way of conveying either it or its Vehicle thus to and again by the same sort of Vessels; not to say that so acid a juice as is excocted in the Spleen, one should think would be no very welcome guest to the Nerves, nor be suffer'd to march so quietly, especially passing against the current of the ani∣mal spirits that continually flow from the Brain and Spinal marrow. This opinion therefore we shall pass by as very improbable, having little else to recommend it save the credit of its learned Au∣thor. And its true use we believe to be, to make a subacid and saltish juice of the Arterial bloud that flows plentifully into it, which passing by the Ramus splenicus to the Liver serves there to make
(and further the separation of) the Bile. Now this juice is thus elaborated: There are a great many Glands in the substance of the Spleen (which being boil'd tasts something acid.) Into these Glands is the Arterial bloud poured by the capillary Arteries, wherewith are mixed some animal spirits deposited into the same Glandules by the ends of the Nerves, which bridling the sulphureous spirit of the Bloud, induce on it a little acidity; and then being driven out of the Glandules by the beating of the Arteries and the pressure of the adjacent parts, it is received by the roots of the Splenick vein, and so by the Ra∣mus splenicus it flows to the Porta and the Liver. But before it enter into the roots of the Veins, it seems to stay a little in the abovementioned Cells, (whose substance is acid) that it may ac∣quire some more acidity by that stay in them: as Wine standing in a Vinegar-vessel sowrs more and more; and as the Bile by staying in the Gall-bladder gets a greater acrimony.
TAB. III. pag. 88 Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3
THE Kidney is called in Latin Ren,* 1.152 from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to flow; because the serosity of the Bloud doth flow through the Kidneys to the Ureters, and through them to the Bladder. By the Greeks they are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, mingere, to make water.
They are in number two,* 1.153 both because of the great quantity of the serous excrement that is to be discharged by them; and also that one being stopped, the serum of the Bloud might be trans∣colated by the other.
They are seated in the Loins behind the Sto∣mach and Intestins,* 1.154 and under the Liver and Spleen, between the membranes of the Peritonae∣um; their lower end rests on the head of the Muscle Psoas (which is one of the movers of the Thigh) just where the Nerve enters into it, which is the cause that a big stone being in the Kidney, and pressing on the Nerve, a numbness is felt in the Thigh of the same side. In Man the right Kidney is lowest, by reason of the greatness of the Liver, and commonly bigger also than the left; yet it has not so much fat about it as the left, by reason of the vicinity of the Liver, whose heat hindereth the encrease of fat.
In figure they resemble the Asarum leaf or Kid∣ney-bean:* 1.155 towards the Loin or outwards they are gibbous; and also in their ends on the inside;
but in the midst where the Vessels enter in and go out, they are hollow.
As for their connexion,* 1.156 by the external fat Membrane they are tied to the Diaphragma, and the Loins; by the emulgent Vessels, to the Vena cava, and the Aorta; and by the Ureters to the Bladder. The right hath the Intestinum caecum join'd to it, and sometimes the Liver; the left hath the Spleen and the Colon.
They are in length about five inches,* 1.157 reach∣ing as far as three and sometimes four vertebrae; three fingers breadth broad, and one inch thick. In salacious or lustfull Men they are commonly larger than in others.
Their Membranes are two.* 1.158 The one is com∣mon and external,* 1.159 borrowed from the Peritonae∣um; within the reduplication of which the whole Kidney is lapped; and therefore it is called Renis fascia. This Membrane is besmeared with copi∣ous fat; whence it is called Tunica adiposa; and into it entreth the Arteria adiposa from the Aor∣ta; as also the Vena adiposa, which on the right side commonly ariseth from the Emulgent, sel∣dom from the Cava; but on the left, always from the Cava. By means of this Membrane 'tis that they are both joined to the Loins and Midriff; the right, to the Caecum and sometimes to the Liver; the left, to the Spleen and Colon, as was noted before. Although they be exceeding fat, yet some part of the Kidney will remain uncovered about the middle.
Their inner and proper Membrane is made of the outer Coat of those Vessels that enter into them,* 1.160 (for they enter the Kidney with only one Coat) and this adhereth very close to them,
having inserted into it small Nerves from the In∣tercostal pair, and one from that branch of it which goes also to the Stomach; whence that consent betwixt the Kidneys and it, that in the pain of the Stone in the Kidneys a vomiting is caused. But these Nerves enter the substance of the Kidneys in very few but by small slips, whence they have but a dull sense as to their Paren∣chyma.
The substance of the Kidneys,* 1.161 as it appears to the bare eye, looks fibrous, compacted of the concourse and commixture of very small Vessels joined together by a fleshy Parenchyma that has divers small chanels; outwardly to feel upon, it is pretty hard, but within, it is indifferent spongie; its circumference is of a dull red colour, but towards the Pelvis it is more pale. Thus the Kidneys appear to the sight; but Malpighius with his Microscope hath made a far more accurate dis∣covery of their substance. He says (lib. de Re∣nibus)
That though in grown Men their super∣ficies seems commonly plain, yet it is unequal in Infants new born; and that in adult persons the conjunction of Globules does still appear within from the diversity of colour, which in the several Globules outwardly and towards the sides, to which they are joined, is red, but more pale on the inner side. And as in Brutes these Globules being round outwards, and ex∣tended inwards into an obtuse narrowness be∣come quadrangular, quinquangular or sexangu∣lar and so are joined together; so also in Men there may from the diversity of colour be mani∣festly observed a like but more firm conjuncti∣on. —If one take off the Membrane from a
fresh and as yet soft Kidney, there may by a good Microscope be discovered certain round and short Bodies roll'd about like little worms, not unlike those that are found in the substance of the Kidneys being cut through the middle; and under the outmost superficies one may ob∣serve wonderfull branches of Vessels, with their Globules hanging at them, which run towards the Pelvis; as also certain continued winding spaces and sinus's running through all the outer superficies of the Kidneys, that become con∣spicuous by injecting ink through the emulgent Arteries: and moreover, innumerable small pipes which look something like fibrous or pa∣renchymatous flesh, but are indeed membranous and hollow; these make up a great part of the substance of the Kidneys, and are the excretory Vessels of the Urine. Moreover he says, that if (after the Membrane is removed) one make injection into the emulgent Artery with the spirit of Wine tinged black, he may discern in∣numerable very small Glandules hanging upon forked Arteries, which by the injection are al∣so coloured black; as also many others in the interstices of the Urinary vessels, which hang like Apples upon the Arteries, (now fill'd with the black liquor, and branched like a Tree.) He thinks that from these Glands into which the extremities of the Arteries end, the roots of the Veins arise, and that the Nerves reach to them too; and that it is probable that the excretory Vessels of the Ureter are extended so far also, seeing this is constant in all Glands, that every little Globule has besides the Arte∣ries and Veins, a proper excretory Vessel, as
the Bilary in the Liver, &c. And he has obser∣ved that those same Pipes or Urinary fibres do many of them terminate in one of the Papillae, (twelve into one) through which the Urine is transcolated into the Pelvis, for into it they jet out; and that the same siphons or urinary Vessels are produced from the circumference to these Papillae as to their c••••ntre.]By this curi∣ous and accurate description of their substance he has greatly dispelled that mist of ignorance that Anatomists hitherto were in as to their frame and Parenchyma. But to proceed.
The Emulgent artery,* 1.162 springing from the de∣scending Trunk of the Aorta goes into the hollow side of the Kidney,* 1.163 being first divided into two; but in the Kidney it is spread in divers branches through its whole substance, and ends in it in ve∣ry small and invisible Capillaries. By it much bloud is conveyed to the Reins (for it is a great Artery) partly to nourish them and the Urinary vessels, partly that in their Glandules a good part of the Serum may be separated from it, which being carried by the Urinary fibres to the Papillae ouzes through them into the Pelvis.
The Emulgent vein is a little larger than the Artery.* 1.164 Its roots spring from the Glandules in the Kidney, which being united into one Trunk comes out where the Artery goes in, and opens into the Cava, into which it discharges the Bloud remaining from the nourishment of the Kidney, now freed from a good quantity of Serum in the Glands. For that there passes nothing by this Vein to the Kidney is plain, as from the general office of Veins, which always carry from the part where their Capillaries are spread (excepting
the Vena portae, which indeed has the office of an Artery) so from that notable Valve that is pla∣ced at its entrance into the Cava, looking towards it from the Kidney, so that the Bloud may freely pass out of the Emulgent into the Cava, but not back again. The Emulgent vein sometimes comes divided out of the Kidney, as the Artery goes in; but both the branches are presently united into one, and always open by one orifice into the Cava.
Of the Nerves we have spoken before, discour∣sing of the proper Membrane of the Kidneys; and as to Lympheducts there has no certain disco∣very been yet made of any in them.
Within the Kidney there is a membranous Cell or Sinus,* 1.165 called Pelvis or Infundibulum (i. e. the Bason or Tunnel) which is made of the Ureter expanded and dilated, and comes into the Cavi∣ty of the Kidney with eight or ten open and large Pipes. Into this Pelvis does the Serum issue from the Urinary siphons through the Caru••culae Papil∣lares or Mammillares, for one of these stands at the head of each of the said eight or ten Pipes, (being of an equal number with them) and are like Glandules, of a fainter colour but harder than the rest of the Parenchyma; they are about as big as a Pease, flattish above, but round or bunching out on that side next the Pelvis; their perforations are exceeding narrow, so that they will hardly admit the smallest hair.
The action of the Reins is to separate and eva∣cuate the serous humour from the Bloud,* 1.166 which, as was said, is brought to them together with the Bloud by the Emulgent arteries; which is done in this order. After the two branches of the
Emulgent artery are enter'd the Kidneys, they are presently each of them divided into four or five, and those again into many more, till at last they end in the smallest Capillaries which terminate in the Glandules towards the outer su∣perficies, whereinto they infuse their liquor. In∣to the same Glandules are inserted also the Ca∣pillary veins, and the Uinary siphons, each of which imbibe thence their proper liquor. By the Veins the Bloud returns into the larger bran∣ches of the Emulgent veins, from thence into the single Trunk, and by it to the Cava, which con∣ducts it to the Heart: But by the Urinary pipes does the Serum drill to the Papillae or Carunculae placed at the entrance into the Pelvis, through which it distills into it. And this Pelvis being the head of the Ureter, the Serum glides readily out of it down by the Ureter into the Bladder.
But now it is very difficult to determine▪ whe∣ther this separation of the Serum in the Kidneys be procured by any kind of effervescency or fer∣mentation; or whether they serve meerly as a strainer, through which it is squeezed or transco∣lated. If it be separated only this last way, how admirable is the configuration of the Pores, that the Serum with all its contents should pass by them without the least drop or stain of bloud, when yet often purulent matter, brought out of the Thorax, and throughly mixed with the Bloud, and which is far thicker than the Bloud it self, passes through them with the Serum, and not any thing of Bloud at the same time! That such pu∣rulent matter passes by Urine, is frequently ob∣served; but whether it be absorbed out of the Cavity of the Thorax by the mouths of the Veins
gaping into it, as the Ancients thought it might; or it be bred in the Parenchyma of the Lungs apo∣stemating, as is more probable, 'tis not a fit place here to inquire. As neither would it signifie much to give you the conjectures of some learned Men, that because such Pus, and much more be∣cause Pins, Needles, an Iron nail, &c. have pas∣sed by Urine; that therefore there must be some more direct and patent way for part of the Serum to be convey'd by to the Bladder; and therefore have imagined that some Lacteals have been in∣serted into the Bladder, as others have supposed other ways: for as far as could ever be discover'd by Anatomists, there is no footstep of any such passage, how plausible soever such an Hypothesis may seem. And therefore we shall say no further of it.
Some have thought the Kidneys to have other Actions besides the separating of the Serum; as further to elaborate the Bloud, to prepare the Seed, &c. But these opinions are grown obso∣lete, and therefore rather to be neglected than examin'd.
Above each Kidney at about half an inch di∣stance there stands a Gland,* 1.167 by some called Glan∣dula renalis; by others Ren succenturiatus; by Bartholin, Capsula atrabilaria; by Dr. Wharton, Glandula ad plexum nerveum sita. Which several names they have had given them, from the seve∣ral uses the Imposers have ascribed to them.
They are commonly but two,* 1.168 and are placed over (but towards the inside of) the Kidneys, having the fat about the Kidney coming between. The left is nearer to the Diaphragm, standing
higher than the right, but the right is nearer to the Vena cava.
They are seldom of the shape of the Kidneys,* 1.169 but are of not much an unlike substance. Their figure is often three corner'd, having the shape of a Satchel with its bottom upward. Sometimes they are oval but flattish.
They are bigger in Children proportionably than in Men;* 1.170 for in the former they are near the bigness of the Kidneys; but they do not increase as other parts do, so that in adult persons they are not above two inches long and one broad. Commonly the right is bigger than the left.
They are covered with a thin Membrane which is knit very fast to the outer or adipose Membrane of the Kidneys.* 1.171
They have a manifest Cavity in their larger end,* 1.172 in which is contained a black and feculent humour, that tinges the sides of the Cavity. Into it there are a great many little holes gaping out of the substance of the Gland, according to Dr. Wharton; and it self opens into a Vein, but has a Valve placed just at the entrance, that per∣mits the humour contained in the Cavity to flow out by the Vein, but hinders its return.
They have Veins and Arteries commonly from the Emulgents,* 1.173 sometimes from the Cava and Aorta, and sometimes from the Vasa adiposa. Their Nerves come from the stomachick branch of the Intercostals that runs to the proper Mem∣brane of the Kidneys and to the Spleen also. Lacteals they have none. Bartholin affirms they have Lymphaticks.
There have been divers conjectures of the use of these Glands,* 1.174 but none generally consented to
as true. Dr. Wharton's guess is, that some hu∣mour is imbib'd from the Spleen by the Nerves that are common to the Spleen and these Glan∣dules (being both from one branch) and is de∣posited in their Cavity, which being not purely excrementitious (though perhaps unprofitable to the Nerves) is restored again to the Veins. Dr. Glisson also thinks they receive something from the Spleen, which being refin'd here is im∣bib'd again by the Nerves, by which it ascends to the Brain or Spinal marrow, and descends again by them, being either it self a Succus nutritius, or else a Vehicle for it. Riolanus thinks they are of no use at all in Men, but only in the Foetus in the Womb. Veslingius, Bartholin and many o∣thers think that they make a ferment or Coagulum for the use of the Kidneys to help the separation of the Serum from the Bloud. And this indeed were a probable use if there could be found out any way whereby ought could conveniently pass from hence to the Kidneys. But the Veins that go out of them are inserted either into the Emul∣gent vein or the Cava, whose Bloud is flowing from the Kidneys, so that it cannot pass this way, unless one would suppose a contrary course of hu∣mours in the same Vessel, which seems absurd. And there are no other Vessels to serve this turn. Diemerbroeck conjectures that their black juice is made of the Arterial bloud, and acquires a cer∣tain fermentative power necessary for the Venous bloud, into which it is received by the Cava from the Veins that go out of these Glandules. But this, says he, is but a conjecture. And in truth all the other opinions are no more, nor very probable ones neither; so that we must
still acknowledge our ignorance of their true use.
THE Ureters, in Latin Meatus urinarii, are called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, either from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to piss, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because they keep the Urine.
They arise out of the inner Sinus of the Kid∣neys,* 1.175 whose various Pipes (nine or ten) uni∣ting into one make the Ureter.
There is one in each side.* 1.176
They are white Vessels,* 1.177 like to Veins; yet they are whiter, thicker and more nervous. They reach from the Kidneys to the Bladder, not in a direct line, but something crooked like an Ita∣lick s.
They have been thought to have two Coats,* 1.178 the one common from the Peritonaeum; the other proper: but indeed it is but one, and that pro∣per. It is strong, nervous, strengthned with oblique and streight Fibres, having small Veins and Arteries from the neighbouring parts. As to their Nerves Dr. Willis saith, that after the In∣tercostals have sent forth all the Mesenterick nerves, each Trunk descending sends forth three or four several slips that are carried into the Ure∣ters, which makes the pain so very exquisite when some viscid matter or stone sticks in them.
TAB. IV. pag. 101.
As they go out of the Kidney they pass over the Muscles Psoae (which bend the Thigh) be∣tween the two Membranes of the Peritonaeum, and descending as abovesaid, they are inserted in the Back and lower part of the Bladder, (not far from the Sphincter) running between the two proper Coats of it, about the length of an inch, and continued with its inner substance.
This insertion is oblique to hinder the regur∣gitation of the Urine,* 1.179 when the Bladder is either compressed or distended with Urine; for here is no Valve, as some have affirmed.
Although the Ureter doth not ordinarily ex∣ceed in compass a Barly-corn, yet when stones do pass, it becometh sometimes as large as a small Gut.
Their use is to receive the Urine separated from the Bloud in the Kidneys,* 1.180 and to convey it into the Bladder, thence at discretion at certain times to be emptied out of the Body.
THE Bladder is called in Latin Vesica urina∣ria,* 1.181 in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 from its office. It is membranous.
It is seated in the Hypogastrium,* 1.182 betwixt the two Coats of the Peritonaeum, in that Cavity that is formed of the Os sacrum, Hips, and Ossa pubis, and is called Pelvis. In Men it lies upon the Inte∣stinum rectum; in Women it adheres to the neck of the Womb, which is placed betwixt the Blad∣der and the streight Gut: in both it is tied before to the Ossa pubis. Moreover it is knit to the Navel by the Ʋrachus.
The Membranes of it are three.* 1.183
The first is from the Peritonaeum; for it is con∣tained within the reduplication of it. This in Man is besmear'd with fat, but not in Beasts.
The second is thicker, and endued with car∣nous Fibres, which Aquapendens and Bartholin will have to be a Muscle serving for the compression of the Bladder, to squeeze out the Urine, as the Sphincter serveth for constriction, to retain it.
The third and innermost is white and bright, of exquisite sense, as they can witness who are troubled with the Stone.
It hath all sorts of Fibres.* 1.184
Within it is covered with a slippery mucous Crust,* 1.185 which is an Excrement of the third con∣coction of the Bladder. This doth defend it from the acrimony of the Urine.
It is perforated in three parts,* 1.186 to wit, in the Sides, where the Ureters are inserted, to let in the Urine; and before, to let it out.
The Bladder hath two parts,* 1.187 to wit, the bot∣tom and the neck.
The bottom comprehends the upper and larger part of the Bladder, to which the Ʋrachus being tied reaches to the Navel, which together with the bordering Umbilical arteries becomes a strong Ligament in the adult, hindering the Bladder to press upon its neck. Of the Ʋrachus see chap. 33.
The neck is lower than the bottom, and straiter. In Men it is longer and narrower, and being carried to the rise of the Yard opens into the Ʋrethra; in Women it is shorter and wider, and is implanted into the upper side of the neck of the Womb: In both it is carnous, woven of very many Fibres, especially transverse or orbicu∣lar, which lie hid within the streight Fibres that surround the whole body of the Bladder, and these make the Sphincter muscle, which constrin∣ges the neck of the Bladder so, as no Urine can pass out against ones will, unless when it is affected with the Palsie or other malady, by which there sometimes happens an involuntary pissing. As the neck opens into the Ʋrethra, there is hung before it a little Membrane like a Valve, which hinders the flowing of the Seed into the Bladder, when it is emitted into the Ʋrethra. This Membrane is broken by putting up a Cathe∣ter into the Bladder, and sometimes corroded by a Gonorrhoea.
The Bladder is oblong,* 1.188 globous and round, in shape like unto a Pear.
Its Cavity is but one ordinarily;* 1.189 yet some∣times it has a membranous partition, that di∣vides it into two; which yet has a hole in it for the communication of each Cavity. Such a par∣tition was observed in the Bladder of the Great Casaubon.
It hath Arteries and Veins from the Hypogastri∣cae,* 1.190 which are inserted into the sides of its Neck, where they are immediately branched into two, whereof one is spent upon the neck, and the other on the bottom. Nerves it hath (accord∣ing to Dr. Willis) from the lowest Plexus of the Intercostals in the Abdomen, and from the Mar∣row of Os sacrum. For the said Plexus sending two Nerves into the Pelvis, they have each of them a Vertebral nerve joined to them, and so make two new Plexus, from one of which there passes a Nerve that, being divided into many branches, is on each side distributed into the Bladder and its Sphincter.
The use of the Bladder is to receive the Urine from the Ureters and to contain it,* 1.191 like a Cham∣ber-pot, untill the time of excretion, when it is squeezed out of it partly by the help of its own carnous Membrane, and partly of the Muscles of the Abdomen.
Bartholin quotes some observations of Borrichius concerning the Bladder,* 1.192 worthy to be noted, viz. If it be boil'd in acids, it turns into a Muci∣lage; if in salt liquors, it is thickned; if in ole∣ous, or in the liquor of the Alkali salts of Tartar or Herbs burnt to ashes, it is neither thickned nor turns into a Mucilage, but is burnt as if it were laid on burning Coals, and may almost be crumbled to powder. By which, says he, it
appears, with what great danger to the Bladder Men inject into it either acid, salt, or oleous li∣quors, for breaking the Stone.
HItherto we have handled the parts appointed for nutrition, whereby the nutriments are prepared in the lower Belly for the sustentation of an individual body: Now we come to the organs of generation, whereby through procreation is conserved a perennity of Mankind, which Nature hath denied to particulars. These parts being not alike in both Sexes, we must necessarily treat of each apart, and first of those of Men.
In Man some of these parts afford matter for the Seed,* 1.193 to wit, the Arteriae spermaticae; others bring back again the Bloud that is superflous to the making of the Seed and to the nourishment of the Testicles, and these are the Venae spermaticae; and both the Arteries and Veins were formerly called Vasa praeparantia: some make the Seed, as the tones: some carry the Seed back again, as those which are called Vasa deferentia: some con∣tain the Seed, and an oleaginous matter, as the Vesiculae seminales the first, and the Prostates the latter: some discharge the Seed into the Matrix; this is done by the Penis.
Vasa praeparantia,* 1.194 which are said to prepare matter for the Seed, are of two sorts, Arteries, and Veins.
The Arteries are two,* 1.195 and spring from the Trunk of the Aorta, commonly two fingers breadth under the Emulgents, not just from its side but out of its fore-part, the right whereof climbing over the trunk of the Vena cava, runs obliquely to the Vein of the same side; as also the left, marches to the Vein of that side.
The Veins are also two.* 1.196 The right arises usu∣ally from the trunk of Vena cava, a little below the Emulgent; the left from the Emulgent it self, for otherwise it must have gone over the Aorta, whereby it might have been in danger of breaking; or rather by the continual pulse of the Artery the recourse of the Venal bloud might have been retarded. Now both these Veins and Arteries a little after their rise meet, and are in∣vested both in one Membrane made of the Perito∣naeum, and then run streight through the region of the Loins above the Muscles Psoae on each side, and above the Ureters, as they go bestowing lit∣tle slips here and there upon the Peritonaeum, be∣tween whose duplicature they descend, and so arrive at its processes. The Veins divide very often into many branches, and by and by inoscu∣late and unite again; but the Arteries go along by one Pipe only, on each side, untill within three or four fingers breadth of the Stones, where each is divided into two branches, the less where∣of runs under the Epididymis, the larger to the Testicle. And as I said they descended betwixt the Membranes of the Peritonaeum, so they pass in∣to the Scrotum between them, not perforating them in the processes, as in Dogs and other Creatures, wherein the processes of the Peritonae∣um are hollow like a Quill; but in Man the inner
Membrane of the Peritonaeum shuts the hole lest the Intestins fall by it into the Cod; of which there is great danger in him (and we see it often hap∣pen) because of his going upright. But to re∣turn to the Vasa praeparantia. It has been gene∣rally taught that there are divers inosculations of the Arteries with the Veins in their passage, whereby the Venal and Arterial bloud are mixed; but this opinion is now exploded, for that, granting the circulation of the Bloud, it is impossible. For the Bloud in the Arteries de∣scends towards the Testicles, and that in the Veins ascends from them, so that if these two Vessels should open one into the other, the Bloud in one of them must needs be driven back, or else, stagnating, distend and break the Vessels. But the truth is, the Bloud both for the nourishment of the Testicles and the making of Seed flows down by the Arteries only, and that in an even undivided course, without any of those windings and twirlings like the Tendrels of Vines talkt so much of, (as the curious de Graef by his own fre∣quent inspection testifies:) But the Veins bring back from the Testicles what of the Bloud remains from their nourishment and making of Seed, and these indeed come out of the Testicles by almost innumerable roots by which they imbibe the said Bloud, and are most admirably interwoven and inosculated one with another till about four or five fingers breadth above the Testicle, which space is called Corpus pyramidale, Plexus pampini∣formis, or Varicosus; but these Veins are so far from preparing the Seed, as that they only bring back what was superfluous from the making of it. And indeed the Arteries in Men do no more merit
the name of Praeparantes in respect to the Seed, than the Gullet in respect of the Chyle, or the Ductus thoracicus chyliferus in regard to the Bloud. But however, we continue the old names, decla∣ring only against the reason of them. And we will only note two things more. First, that these Spermatick veins have from their rise to their end several Valves which open upwards, and so suffer the Bloud to ascend towards the Cava, but not to slide back again. Secondly, that though the Spermatick Arteries go such a direct course in Men, as has been said; yet in Brutes they are more complicated and twisted with the Veins, but without any anastomoses of one into the other.
There are Nerves and Lympheducts that pass into the Testicles together with these Vasa praepa∣rantia; of which in the next Chapter.
THE Stones in Latin are called Testes,* 1.197 either because they testifie one to be a man, or be∣cause amongst the Romans none was admitted to bear witness but he that had them. In Greek they are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Twins, because according to nature they are always two.
They have a peculiar substance,* 1.198 (such as is not in all the Body besides) whitish and soft,
made up of innumerable little ropes of Seed-car∣rying vessels: there is no Cavity in them; but those said Vessels are continued to one another, and carry the Seed in their undiscernible hollow∣ness. The way to make these Vessels visible, de Graef has taught us: viz. Tye fast the Vas defe∣rens in a Live-dog or other Brute, and then these internal Ropes of Vessels, otherways inconspicu∣ous, will presently be so filled and distended with seminal matter, as that they may be easily dis∣cerned.
They are in number two,* 1.199 hanging without the Abdomen, at the root of the Yard, in the Cod. Their figure is oval, only a little flattish. Their bigness differs very much in several persons; as big as a Dove's Egg is reckon'd a mean size. Hip∣pocrates held the right to be bigger and hotter than the left, and therefore called it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Male-getter, as the left 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Female-begetter. But these are fansies that are obsolete, and indeed seem ridiculous, seeing there is no such difference of their bigness, and that their Vessels are common.
They have Arteries and Veins (as was said before) from those called Vasa praeparantia.* 1.200 Which some have thought to reach only to the inmost Coat called Tunica albuginea, because they are not conspicuous in the inner substance of the Testicles. But that comes to pass by reason that the Arterial bloud presently loses its colour, and by the seminisick faculty of the Stones is turned into Seed, which being whitish, of the same co∣lour with the Vessels, makes them undiscernible. Yet in those Men that have died of languishing Diseases, and whose Testes have their faculty im∣paired,
Diemerbroeck affirms that he has oft dis∣cover'd Sanguiferous vessels in the inmost parts of the Stones, and has shew'd them to many in the publick Anatomical Theatre. As for Nerves, Dr. Willis says he could never observe more to go to them than one from a Vertebral pair, and that that too was most of it spent upon the Muscle Cremaster. Diemerbroeck agrees to one Nerve, but thinks it proceeds from the sixth pair, (which is Dr. Willis's Intercostal, as distinguisht from that commonly call'd the sixth, but his eighth.) Others will have branches from both these Nerves to go to them. Concerning the use of these Nerves there is great controversy. Dr. Glisson, Wharton, &c. will have them to convey a Succus genitalis, which makes the greatest part of the Seed. Dr. Willis, as he denies (in Cerebri ana∣tome, cap. 27.) any Succus nutritius to be con∣veyed by the Nerves to other parts, so that any Succus genitalis is brought by them hither, but only animal spirit. And whereas to strengthen the former opinion 'tis usually objected, That the Seed must needs consist of a nervous juice and plenty of spirits brought from the Brain, because of the great debility and enervation that is indu∣ced upon the Brain and Nerves by the too great expense of it: he thus answers, That this comes to pass, because after great profusions of Seed, for the restauration of the same humour (whereof Nature is more solicitous than for the benefit of the individual) a greater tribute of spirituous liquor is required from the Bloud to be bestowed on the Testicles: wherefore the Brain being de∣frauded of a due income and afflux of the said spi∣rituous liquor, languishes; and so the animal
spirits failing in the fountain, the whole Nervous system becomes depauperated and flaggy. Where∣to may be added, that also the animal spirits themselves that actuate the Prostates, being deri∣ved from the Spinal marrow, are much wasted by venereal acts; so that for this reason besides, the Loins are enervated.] In this answer Bar∣tholin acquiesces. And de Graef, Diemerbroeck, &c. confess indeed that the spirituous Arterial bloud is impregnated with Animal spirits from the Nerves, but affirm that the matter out of which the Seed is elaborated is only the said Bloud; and to these we subscribe. Lympheducts▪ they have also arising from betwixt their Coats, and as∣cending upwards into the Abdomen with the Vasa deferentia. These have many Valves looking up∣wards, which hinder any thing from descending by them to the Testes, but permit the Lympha to ascend, which they convey into the Chyliferous vessels.
They have two sorts of Coats,* 1.201 proper and com∣mon.
The common invest both the Testes, and are two. The outermost consists of the Scarf-skin and True skin (here••thinner than in other pla∣ces.) This is called Scrotum, hanging out of the Abdomen like a Purse. It is soft and wrinkled, and without fat. This on the outside has a Su∣ture or Seam that runs according to the length of the Cod, and divides it into the right and left side. The other common Coat is the Membrana carnosa, here also thinner than other-where▪ this is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, growing to the proper Coat next under it (called Vaginalis) by many mem∣branous Fibres.
The proper Coats are also two, and these en∣close each Stone apart. The outer is called Ely∣throides, or Vaginalis; because it contains the Stone as a sheath. It is a thick and strong Mem∣brane, having many Veins. In the outside it is uneven, by reason of the Fibres by which it is tied to the Dartos; but in the inner side it is smooth. This is nothing else but the production of the Peritonaeum, even as the Scrotum is of the Skin of the Abdomen. Into this Coat is inserted the Muscle Cremaster, of which presently. The inmost is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Nervous membrane, called Albuginea, from its colour. It is white, thick and strong, framed of the external Tunicle of the Vasa praeparantia. It immediately enwraps the Stone, towards which it is rough, but on the outside next the Vaginalis it is smooth; and be∣tween these two the water is contained in an Her∣nia aquosa.
Into the outer of the proper Membranes (as was said) is inserted the Muscle Cremaster.* 1.202 These Muscles (to each Stone one) in Men have their rise from the Ligament of the Ossa pubis; and al∣most encompassing round the processes of the Pe∣ritonaeum descend with them to the Testicles; where their carnous Fibres run through the whole length of this same Tunica vaginalis, especially in its lower part, and so keep the Stones suspended, from whence they have their name (from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 suspendo.) These pull up the Stones in the act of generation, that the Vessels being slackned, may the more readily void the Seed.
These Muscles in sickness and old age become slaggy, and so the Scrotum relaxeth it self, and the Stones hang low.
Upon the Stones,* 1.203 as yet clad with the Tunica albuginea, are fixed the Epididymidae (called also Parastatae) enwrapped in the same Coat with the Spermatick vessels. They adhere closer to the Testicles at their ends than in the midst. De Graef defines them to be Vessels making with their various windings that Body that is fixt on the back of the Testicles. To find out their substance he directs us thus.
First take off the Membrane that encompasses them and knits them to the Stones, and then there will appear many win∣dings, which with the edge of a knife may without hurting the Vessels be so easily separa∣ted from one another, that they may be drawn out into a length like a thing folded: for they are only folded from one side to the other, and are kept in that site by the Membrane received from the Tunica albuginea, (or Spermatick ves∣sels.) But when you have unravel'd half of them you must cut another very thin Membrane, and then you will see the Vessels lie just like these, and may be dissolved like them. And the whole being unravel'd, the thicker they are by how much further from their origine, which is implanted into the upper part of the Testicle by six or seven ramifications: which having run so far as where they join into one duct, make it as thick as a small thread; and this by degrees so thickens, that being increas'd like a cord it makes the Vas deferens, (of which in the next Chapter.)
So that (saith he) it is clear from hence, first, that the Testes do not differ from the Epi∣didymidae (or Parastatae) saving that those consist of divers ducts; but these, after their
[illustration]TAB. V.
six or seven roots that arise out of the Testicle are united, (which they are in a short space) but of one, only a little thicker. Secondly, that the Epididymidae differ not from the Vasa deferentia, saving that those go by a serpentine winding passage, and these by a streight, and that those are a little softer and narrower. And so (concludes he) following this Ariad∣ne's thread we have happily made our way out of the Labyrinth of the Testes and Epididymidae.
The uses of the Stones are two:* 1.204
The first is to elaborate the Seed by the semi∣nifical faculty resident in them. For they turn the Bloud, which is brought by the Arteriae praepa∣rantes, and impregnated with Animal spirit, into Seed, for the most part; some is spent on their own nutrition; and what remains from both is carried back by the Veins called Praeparantes.
The second is, to add heat, strength and cou∣rage to the Body, as gelding doth manifest, by the which all these are impaired.
OUT of the Epididymidae at their smaller end arise the two Vasa deferentia,* 1.205 or Ejaculato∣ria, being but a continuation of them. They are white, hardish bodies, like a pretty large Nerve, with a Cavity not very discernible, but which may be made so, if one open one of them six or seven fingers breadth above the Testicle, and then either blow into it with a small pipe, or squirt some colour'd liquor into it with a Syringe to∣wards the Testis, for then the Vessel will be dis∣tended, and the colour will run along its Cavity towards the Epididymidae: Or if you either blow, or squirt liquor by a Syringe the other way to∣wards the Vesiculae seminales, the said Vesiculae will be distended. Now from the Epididymidae these Vasa deferntia ascend, and pass out of the Cod into the Abdomen the same way by which the Vasa praeparantia came down, viz. by the process of the Peritonaeum. When they are entred the Abdo∣me••, they are carried presently over the Ureters, and turning back again they pass to the backside of the Bladder; between which and the Intestinum rectum they march till about the neck of the Blad∣der, being somewhat severed, where they grow wider and thicker; and then just as they are going to meet, their sides open into the Vesiculae semina∣les, in which they deposite the Seed; but not ter∣minating
here, but coming close together and growing smaller and smaller, they go on and end at the Ʋrethra betwixt the Prostatae.
These Vesiculae are little Cells like those in a Pomegranate,* 1.206 or something like a bunch of Grapes; De Graef compares them to the Guts of a little Bird diversly contorted. They consist of one thin Membrane, through which some small twigs of both Veins, Arteries and Nerves run. They are about three fingers breadth long, and one broad; but in some places broader and some narrower, as they run in and out. They are two, (one for each Vas deferens) divided from one another by a little interstice; and they do se∣verally by a peculiar passage emit the Seed con∣tained in them into the Ʋrethra. They are very anfractuous and winding, and (as was said) con∣sist of many little Cells, that they should not pour out all the Seed contained in them, in one act of copulation, but might retain it for several. They have no communication one with another; not even in their very opening into the Ʋrethra; but the Seed that is brought to the Vesiculae seminales on the right side by the right Vas deferens, issues by its proper passage into the Ʋrethra; and that which is brought to the left, likewise. So that if by any accident the Vesiculae on one side be burst or cut (as in cutting for the Stone they must needs be) yet those on the other being entire may still suffice for generation. Now when the Seed is emitted out of these Vesiculae in the act of generation, it passes out the same way it came in; which in this case may easily be, (though it be unusual there should be a contrary motion in the same Vessel) for as it comes in from the Vasa deferentia, it
drills along gently without any force; but in Coi∣tu when the Muscles of the Yard and all the bor∣dering parts are much tumified, it is expressed or squirted out of them with some violence, and passing along their neck, (which is a continuati∣on of the Vasa deferentia) ouzes through a Ca∣runcle (like Quick-silver through Leather) into the Ʋrethra, or the Duct of the Yard that is com∣mon both to the Seed and Urine. I say it ouzes from the necks of the Vesiculae through a Caruncle into the Ʋrethra, for there is one plac'd as a Valve before the orifice of each of them; partly to hinder the coming of the Urine into them, partly to hinder the involuntary effusion of the Seed.
Now though naturally the little holes through which the Seed passes out of the necks of the Vesi∣culae into the Ʋrethra be almost imperceptible; yet if they be either eroded by the acrimony of the Seed (such acrimony as is contracted by im∣pure embraces, or in Claps as we call them) or if of themselves they be debilitated and so become more lax (as sometimes happens to old or impo∣tent Men that meddle too much) then there happens a Gonorrhoea or continual efflux of Seed. And so Vesalius and Spigelius have observed them much dilated, in dissecting such as have died with a Gonorrhoea upon them.
The Prostatae (in English standers by or waiters) are placed near to the Vesiculae seminariae;* 1.207 de Graef calls them Corpus glandosum, supposing them to be one body, and only divided by the common Ducts of the Vesiculae seminales and Vasa deferentia coming through the midst of it. They are of a ••hite, spongy and glandulous substance, about as big as a small Walnut, encompass'd with a
strong and fibrous Membrane from the Bladder, to the beginning of whose neck they are joined at the root of the Yard. In shape they come nea∣rest to an oval, save that on their upper and lower part they are a little deprest, and in that end by which the Vasa deferentia enter, they are something hollow like a Tunnel. The Sphincter muscle of the Bladder encompasses them, so that for so far as they cover the neck of the Bladder, the Sphincter touches it not, they coming be∣tween. They have all sorts of Vessels, which run mostly on their outer side. In their inner part they have ten or more small Ducts which all unload themselves into the Ʋrethra by the sides of the great Caruncle (through which the Seed passes from the Vesiculae into the Ʋrethra) but themselves have each one a small one to stop its orifice lest the liquor that is contained in the Pro∣states should continually flow out, or the Urine should flow in. And these small Ducts I suppose are continued from those small Vesiculae which appear in the Prostates of those that die (any way) sud∣denly after having had to doe with a Female. For in such, the spongy part of the Prostatae is very turgid with a serous liquor, and in their inner part may be found these same Vesiculae, like to Hydatides, which if you press upon, they will discharge themselves into the abovesaid Ducts.
What the liquor they contain should be,* 1.208 or what is their use, there is great variety of opinions. Some think that the Seed that flows from the Te∣sticles is further elaborated here. But that can∣not be; for that the Vasa deferentia deposite no∣thing in them, but all into the Vesiculae seminales. Others think that from the Bloud there is separa∣ted
in them an acrimonious and serous humour, which serves for titillation or causing the greater pleasure in venery. As to this, de Graef appeals to the tast of it, which has nothing of acrimony. Dr. Wharton thinks they make a particular kind of Seed, as the Testicles do ano∣ther, and the Vesiculae seminales a third. That these last make a Seed different from that made in the Testicles is grounded on a mistake in Ana∣tomy, viz. that the Vasa deferentia have no com∣munication with the Vesiculae, whereas they appa∣rently open into them, and deposite in them all the Seed they contain. That the Prostatae make a peculiar sort, he endeavours to prove, because gelded Animals emit some Seed. But that is but precarious; for though they emit something, 'tis not necessary it should be any true Seed. Or if it be, it may well be supposed to proceed from the Vesiculae seminales that have been full when the Animal was gelt. For, for this reason it has been observed that presently after gelding they have sometimes got the Female with young, but not afterwards when that stock was spent. Bar∣tholin with many others thinks they make an oily, slippery and fat humour, which is pressed out, as there is need, to besmear the Ʋrethra, whereby to defend it from the acrimony of the Seed and Urine, and lest it should dry up. Diemerbroeck confesses that it is necessary the inside of the Ʋre∣thra should be kept moist and slippery, but thinks that that is done here as in the Bladder, Intestins and many other places, namely from some mucid part of the nourishment of the Ʋrethra it self; and concludes that the Vasa deferentia deposite not all the Seed into the Vesiculae seminales, but
carry a smaller part to these Prostatae. De Graef denies that the Vasa deferentia convey any thing to them or have any communication with them; and therefore believes, that the humour that is separated in the Corpus glandosum (as he calls the Prostatae) serves for a Menstruum or Vehicle of the Seed, which flowing but in small quantity through small pores into the Ʋrethra, it was ne∣cessary that this humour should be mixt with it that it might better reach the Womb. What∣ever this humour be, it is squeezed out partly by the intumescence and erection of the Penis, and partly by the compression of the Sphincter of the Bladder that girds the Prostatae about.
These Prostates are often (at least partly) the seat of the Gonorrhoea; and the humour that they contain, that which is shed: for, if it were true Seed, they could never endure a Gonorrhoea so long (some, thirty years) without more nota∣ble weakning and emaciating, the flux being so large as sometimes it is.
I shall here omit all philosophical enquiries into the nature of the Seed, contenting my self purely with the Anatomical part.
The distance betwixt the root of the Cod and the Podex is called Perinaeum,* 1.209 à 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.210 circumfluo, because it is still moist with sweat. The Pubes, Scroton, and Perinaeum in Men, are furnished with Hair, because Glandules are placed there, which receive plenty of superfluous moisture: a part whereof they send to the Skin for the generation of Hair.
THE Seed being elaborated and treasured up in the aforesaid Organs, there was need of a peculiar Instrument whereby it might be con∣veyed into the Womb of the Female; and to this purpose Nature has furnished the Male with a Yard which we come now to anatomize.
It is called in Latin Penis,* 1.211 à pendendo, because it hangeth without the Belly. Also Virga, Mem∣brum virile, Veretrum, Mentula, and by many o∣ther names invented by lustfull persons and lasci∣vious Poets.
It is an Organical part,* 1.212 long and round, yet somewhat flat in the upper part, seated about the lower part of Os pubis, appointed partly for ma∣king of water, but principally for conveying the Seed into the Matrix.
As to its thickness or length,* 1.213 it differs much in divers Men. But it is generally observed to be larger in short Men, and such as are not over much given to Venery; also in those that have high and long Noses, and that are stupid and half-witted.
It is neither bony, as in a Dog, Fox, Wolf; nor grisly nor fleshy; but is framed of such a sub∣stance as might admit of distention and relaxa∣tion.
The parts of it are either common or proper.* 1.214
The common are three, the Scarf-skin, the Skin, and the Membrana carnosa.
It hath no fat,* 1.215 for that would have hindred its erection into that stiffness that is necessary; and secondly would have occasion'd it to grow too bulky; and lastly would have dull'd that great pleasure that in Venery the Male is affected with in this part.
The proper or internal parts are these: the two Nervous bodies, the Septum, the Ʋrethra, the Glans, four Muscles and the Vessels.
The Nervous bodies (so called) are encom∣passed with a thick,* 1.216 white, nervous and very firm Membrane (like an Artery) but their inner substance is spongious, being mostly a contex∣ture of Veins, Arteries and Nervous fibres, wo∣ven one with another like a Net; and when the Nerves are filled with Animal spirit, and the Ar∣teries with hot and Spirituous blood, then the Penis is distended and becomes erect: but when the Spirits cease to flow in, then the Bloud and remaining Spirits are absorbed by the Veins, and so the Penis becomes limber and flaggy.
They spring from the lower side of the Os pubis at distinct originals, where they appear like two horns, or are of a figure resembling the Let∣ter Y, that the Ʋrethra may have room to pass between them. When they leave the Os pubis they are each covered with a several Membrane, and are afterwards joined together with only the Septum between, which the nearer it comes to∣wards the Glans, is the thinner, so that before it come to the middle of the Penis its Fibres extend towards the back of the Yard from the Ʋrethra in order like a Weaver's Slay, and while it still goes further, its Fibres by degrees grow so very small, that near the Glans the Septum is almost oblite∣rated,
and the two Nervous bodies grow into one. Whence it is that the Penis is equally erec∣ted; for if the Septum had exactly distinguisht one part from the other, it might sometimes have so happened by the compression or obstructi∣on of the Arteries of the one or the other side, that one part of it would have been extended, and the other remained flaggy.
Dr. Wharton affirms, these Nervous bodies have Glandulous flesh within them, which keeps the Yard something plump even when it is not erect. But de Graef denies this, and demonstrates that they have no other substance than beforesaid, thus. Let the Yard be prepared thus: First gently squeez the bloud out of it, which it always has in greater or lesser plenty, and then put a little Tube into the spongy substance, namely in at that end that is next to the Os pubis; and let the Cavity of the Penis be half fill'd with water by the help of a Sy∣ringe, and shake the Penis with the water in it: pour out that bloudy water, and fill it again with clear, and so three or four times till the water is no longer stain'd with bloud. Then betwixt two Linen cloths squeez out what water is in the Nervous bodies, and at length blow up the Penis so long till it have its natural bigness; in which posture if you will keep it, you must tie it hard. When the Penis is thus distended and dried, you may examin it as you please, and will find no other substance than was mentioned. Diemerbroeck says that their substance is not a meer texture of Vessels, but is fibrous, fungous and cavernous (such as is the substance of the Lungs) receiving in their hollow Interstices Bloud and Spirits out of the Vessels that are dispersed through their sub∣stance.
Below these Nervous bodies lies the Ʋrethra,* 1.217 being of a much like substance to them, saving that its spongy part, which is outer and lower, hath less pores because of its smaller and more plentifull Fibres. This part does tumefy when∣soever the Nervous bodies do. Its inner part is membranous, round and hollow, and exceeding sensible. It is of an equal largeness from one end to the other, save in its fore-part, where the Glans is joined to the Nervous bodies, for there it hath a small Cavern, into which the acrimoni∣ous Urine lighting in the Stone of the Bladder, while it wheels about in it, causeth pain, and is a great sign of the Stone. Sometimes also the acrimonious eroding liquor in a Gonorrhoea stay∣ing here, doth cause a most tormenting ulcera∣tion.
It is continuous to the neck of the Bladder, but has not its rise from it, nor is of the same kind of substance. If you boil the Bladder and it, it will easily separate, and appears of a clear other sub∣stance and colour. It begins at the neck of the Bladder and reaches to the end of the Glans, which it seems to bestow a Membrane upon from its own inner one, for it is plainly continued from it.
Its use is to convey along the Seed and Urine. And to that end there open into it small pores that transmit the Seed into it from the necks of the Vesiculae seminales (of which in the foregoing Chapter;) and also the neck of the Vesica Ʋrina∣ria which pours out the Urine into it, at which place it has a membranous Valve, of which like∣wise before in Chap. 19.
The Muscles are two in each side,* 1.218 and so four
in all. Of these one pair are called Collateral muscles, by others Erectores. These are shorter and thicker, and spring from the appendix or knob of the Coxendix, under the beginning of the Nervous bodies, and are inserted into the same, a little from their beginning. These serve for erection of the Penis.
The second pair is longer and smaller, procee∣ding from the sphincter of the Anus.
These pass streight by the sides of the Ʋrethra, and are inserted about the middle of it, which they serve to dilate for miction and ejaculation of the Seed, and are called Dilatantes, wideners, and Acceleratores or hastners.
These have been generally held to be the uses of these Muscles, but de Graef (as also Swammer∣dam, not. in prodr. p. 35.) assigns a clear contra∣ry to them, and that with great shew of reason. For seeing the action of a Muscle is contraction, how should the former pair extend the Penis, and not rather draw it back towards their original? Or how should the latter serve to dilate the Ʋre∣thra, and not rather straiten it, seeing in the action or contraction of a Muscle its Belly or Middle swells? Therefore he says that the Muscles only contribute thus far or in this respect to the extension or erection of the Penis, in as much as by their swelling (partly by bloud and spirit flowing into them, partly by their proper action) they serve to straiten and compress the roots of the Nervous bodies and the spongy part of the Ʋrethra, and so drive the Bloud that flows in by the Arteries towards the Glans, and hinder its returning back again by the Veins: even as we daily see in a piece of a Gut, which if we fill with
wind or water, and then compress one end, we shall see the other strut out and be more disten∣ded.
The end or head of the Penis is called Glans,* 1.219 and Balanus. Into this the Nervous bodies termi∣nate, and being a little thicker (on that side next them) than they, it encompasses them with a circle like a Crown. On its fore-part it is smaller and sharper. It has a peculiar substance (Dr. Wharton says glandulous) soft and spongy, and being covered with a very thin Membrane produced from the internal one of the Ʋrethra (which coming out of its hollow, dilates it self so as to cover all the Glans) it thereby and from its proper substance, much interwoven with Nerves, becomes most exquisitely sensible, and is the principal seat of pleasure in copulation. Which if it had not been very great, who would have taken delight in so brutish a thing as Venery? To this purpose Andreas Laurentius elegantly, (Anat. lib. 7. cap. 1. q. 7.)
Who (most strange!) would have solicited or accepted of so vile and filthy a thing as lying with a Woman? with what face would Man, that divine Animal, full of reason and counsel, have handled the obscene parts of Women polluted with so much filth, which is discharged into this low place as into the common sink of the Body? On the other side, what Woman would have accepted of the embraces of a Man, considering the toil and tediousness of going 9 months with Child, the most painfull and often fatal bearing of it, and its education full of care and anxiety, unless the Genitals had been affected in the act with transporting pleasure?
The Glans is covered with the Praeputium,* 1.220 or Fore-skin, which is framed of the reduplication of the Skin.
It is called Praeputium, because it is placed prae pudendo before the Yard: or rather à praeputando, from being cut off, for this is that which the Jews cut off in Circumcision, from whence they are called Apellae and Recutiti. And it is reported by divers persons from their own inspection, that in Jewish Children it is six times as large as in Chri∣stians, and hangs a great way over the Glans, be∣fore it be cut off.
The Ligament by which the Fore-skin is tied to the Glans in the lower part of it,* 1.221 is called Frae∣num, the Bridle.
Of the Vessels,* 1.222 some are cutaneous, some pass to the inner parts of the Penis.
The cutaneous veins and arteries spring from the Pudendae;* 1.223 these entring at the root of the Yard, pass by the sides towards the back of it, and are conspicuous enough. The Vessels which are bestowed upon the inner parts of it, come from the Venae and Arteriae hypogastricae, and enter just at the meeting of the two Nervous bodies, through whose length they run, and are mostly dispersed in them, and in the fungous part of the Ʋrethra, sending forth little twigs at the sides.
It has two Nerves from the lowest Vertebral.* 1.224 The greater of them, that is very large and long, is distributed into the Nervous bodies, Ʋrethra and Glans; the lesser upon its Muscles. Concer∣ning which Dr. Willis thus discourses.
This Member (says he) having only Nerves from the Spinal marrow, should only have a sponta∣neous motion according to our Hypothesis
(viz. that the Nerves from the Brain serve for natural, and the Vertebral for voluntary mo∣tion.) And yet through the turgescency of the Genital humour, it is often erected and fil∣led with Spirit against ones mind; which is from hence, because from this Vertebral pair, whence the Nerves of the Penis spring, a sprig is reached forth to the Vertebral pair next a∣bove it, viz. in which is radicated the Plexus that is placed in the Pelvis and bestows Nerves on the Prostatae, into which Plexus also a notable Nerve is implanted from the Intercostal pair. Seeing therefore there is a communication be∣tween the Prostatae, (which depend much on the Intercostal Nerves) and the Penis it self (by rea∣son of the insertion of the aforesaid sprig into the Plexus from whence the Prostatae have their Nerves) hence it comes to pass that it acts ac∣cordingly as they are affected. But they, (viz. the Prostates) are not only apt to be moved by the turgescency of the Seed; but, by the communi∣cation of the Intercostal nerve, according to the impressions made on the Senses or Brain, are wont to be irritated by too importune an action; into consent wherewith the Penis is presently excited.
Its principal use is to convey the Seed into the Ʋterus of the Female;* 1.225 and its use to piss withall, is but secondary, for many Creatures (as Fowls in general) make no water by it, yet have a Pe∣nis for the use abovesaid.
That part that is next above it towards the Belly is called the Pubes, and its lateral parts are called the Groins; both which places in the Ma∣ture are covered with hair, whereby Nature
would in some measure veil the Privities, seeing natural modesty requires it.
TAB. VI.
THough it has been the method of divers Ana∣tomists to begin with the description of the outer parts of the Privity; yet because we would observe, as much as may be, the same order in Women as we have in Men, we shall first begin with the Spermatick vessels, which are of two sorts, Arteries and Veins.
The Arteries are two,* 1.226 as in Men. They spring from the great Artery a little below the Emul∣gents (very rarely either of them from the E∣mulgent it self) and pass down towards the Te∣stes not by such a direct course as in Men, but with much twirling and winding amongst the Veins, with which tho' they have no inoscula∣tion, as has been generally taught. But for all their winding, when they are stretcht out to their full length, they are not so long as those of Men; because in them they descend out of the Abdomen into the Scrotum, but in Women they have a far shorter passage, reaching only to the Testes and Womb within the Abdomen.
The Veins are also two,* 1.227 arising, as in Men, the right from the trunk of the Cava a little below the Emulgent, the left from the Emulgent it self. In their descent they have no more bendings than in Men, and therefore are considerably shorter.
Both the Arteries and Veins as they pass down are cover'd with one common Coat from the Pe∣ritonaeum; and near the Testes they are divided into two branches, the upper whereof is implan∣ted into the Testicle by a triple root; and the other is subdivided below the Testes into three twigs, one of which goes to the bottom of the Womb, another to the Tuba and round Ligament, the third creeping by the sides of the Womb un∣der its common Membrane, ends in its neck, where it is woven with the Hypogastrick vessels like a Net. By this way it is that the Menstrua sometimes flow in Women with Child for the first months, and not out of the inner Cavity of the Ʋterus: but yet that Bloud does not flow at that time so much by the Spermatick Arteries as by the Hypogastrick.
The use of these Spermatick vessels is to mini∣ster to the (generation of Seed,* 1.228 according to the ancient doctrine; but) nutrition of the Eggs in the Ovaria or Testes (according to the new) the nourishment of the Foetus, and of the solid parts, and the expurgation of the Menses; inasmuch as Bloud is conveyed by the Arteries to all those parts to which their ramifications come, in which parts they leave what is to be separated according to the law of Nature, the remaining bloud returning by the Veins.
WOmens Testicles differ much from Mens both in their situation, figure, greatness, covers, substance, and also use.
First,* 1.229 their situation is not without the Body, as in Men, but in the inner Cavity of the Abdo∣men, on each side two fingers breadth from the bottom of the Womb, to whose sides they are knit by a strong Ligament, that has us'd to be called and accounted the Vas deferens; as if the Seed were carried by it from the Testes to the Womb. Of which afterwards.
They are flat on the sides;* 1.230 in their lower part oval, but in their upper (where the Bloud-ves∣sels enter them) more plane. Their superficies is more rugged and unequal than in those of Men. They have no Epididymides, nor Cremaster Muscles.
They differ in bigness according to age.* 1.231 In those newly come to maturity they are about half as big as those of Men; but in those in years they are less and harder. Preternaturally they some∣times grow to a vast bigness from Hydropical tumours, in which several quarts of serous liquor have been found to be contain'd.
They have but one Membrane that encompasses them round;* 1.232 but on their upper side, where the Vasa praeparantia enter them, they are about half way involved in another Membrane that accom∣panies those Vessels, and springs from the Perito∣naeum.
When this cover is removed,* 1.233 their substance appears whitish, but is wholly different from the substance of Mens Testicles. For Mens (as was said above) are composed of Seminary vessels, which being continued to one another are twenty or thirty Ells long if one could draw them out at length without breaking: But Womens do principally consist of a great many Membranes and small Fibres loosely united to one another; amongst which (in the outer superficies of the Testes) there are several little Bladders (like to Hydatides) full of a clear liquor, through whose Membranes the Nerves and Vasa praeparantia run, and are obliterated in them. The liquor con∣tained in these Bladders had always been supposed by the followers of Hippocrates and Galen to be Seed stored up in them, as if they supplied the place of the Vesiculae seminales in Men. But from Dr. Harvey downwards many learned Physicians and Anatomists (according to Aristotle) have denied all Seed to Women. Of which the said Dr. Harvey thus discourses, De ovi materia, Exer∣cit. 34.
Some Women send forth no such hu∣mour as is called Seed, and yet is not concep∣tion thereby necessarily frustrated; for I have known several Women (says he) that have been fruitfull enough without such emission; yea, some that after they begun to emit such humour, though indeed they took greater plea∣sure in copulation, yet grew less fruitfull than before. There are also infinite instances of Women, who though they have pleasure in coitu, yet send forth nothing, and notwithstan∣ding conceive. I greatly wonder that they that think this emission necessary to generation,
have not observed, that the humour is cast out, and issues most commonly from about the Clito∣ris and orifice of the Privity; very seldom from any depth within the neck of the Womb, but never within the Womb it self, so as that it should there be mixed with the Man's Seed; and that it is not ropy and oyly like Seed, but serous like Urine. Now to what purpose should that be cast out, whose use is necessarily required within? Ought that humour to be sent to the mouth of the Privity, (bidding farewell as it were to the Womb) that it might be drawn back again with the greater kindness and wel∣come?]And indeed whatever that humour be that the more salacious Women emit in copu∣lation, (of which afterwards) it cannot be that which is contained in these Vesiculae, both be∣cause it is sent forth in greater quantity than that it can be supplied from them, and also the Vesiculae are destitute of any such pore or passage whereby the liquor contained in them might issue out; for if you press them never so hard, unless you burst them, there will nothing pass out of them. We must therefore subscribe to that new but ne∣cessary opinion that supposes these little Blad∣ders to contain nothing of Seed, but that they are truly Eggs, analogous to those of Fowl and other Creatures; and that the Testicles (so called) are not truly so, nor have any such office as those of Men, but are indeed an Ovarium wherein these Eggs are nourished by the Sanguinary Vessels dispersed through them, and from whence one or more (as they are fecundated by the Man's Seed) separate, and are conveyed into the Womb by the
Tubae Fallopianae, of which by and by.
That these Vesiculae are analogous to the little Eggs in the Ovarium of Fowl, de Graef evinces by this Experiment, That if you boil them, their liquor will have the same colour, taste and consi∣stency with the white of Birds Eggs. And their difference in wanting shells is of no moment; for Birds Eggs had need of a shell, because they are hatched without the Body, and therefore are ex∣posed to external injuries; but these of Women being fostered within their Body, have no need of other fence than the Womb, by which they are sufficiently defended.
Having compared these Vesiculae to the Eggs of Fowls, I might here follow the method of Doc∣tor Harvey and de Graef, and describe the Ovari∣um, &c. in Hens, &c. that from thence these in Women might the better be conceived of and ap∣prehended; but to the curious and learned Rea∣der I shall recommend the said Authors for satis∣faction, and avoiding all unnecessary and (to this Epitome) unsuitable excursion, I shall only further note two things: First, that these Eggs in Women are commonly towards the number of twenty in each Testicle or Ovarium, of which some are far less than others. And secondly, that the objection of the Galenists against the Aristotelians, (viz. that the Testes of Females must needs make Seed, because when they were cut out, barrenness always follow'd) will be suf∣ficiently obviated by this new Hypothesis, that agrees to the necessity of the Testicles so far as to affirm that the Vesiculae contained in them become (when they are impregnated by the Masculine Seed) the very conceptions themselves, which
therefore it would be in vain to expect if the Fe∣male were castrated.
Besides the Vasa praeparantia, and Nerves, (of which in the 27th Chapter) they have also Lym∣pheducts, according to Dr. Wharton.
GAlen with most of the Ancients reckoned those short processes that go streight from the Testes to the bottom of the Womb, to be Vasa deferentia; and that the Seed was emitted from the Stones through them into the Fundus uteri. And Fernelius, Riolanus, &c. thought they found a small Pipe passing on each side out of these processes by the sides of the Womb to its neck, into which they were inserted and opened near its orifice. By the former it was supposed Women not with Child did emit their Seed into the bottom of the Womb; and by these latter such as were already impregnated: for that, if it should have issued into the Fundus where the conception was, it would there have corrupted to the great prejudice of the Foetus.
But as to these latter ducts, Veslingius, Diemer∣broeck, de Graef and many other accurate Ana∣tomists, have not been able to find the least foot∣step of them. And as for the former, seeing they are not pervious, nor have any Cavity, (and
therefore can have nothing of Seed in them) we must conclude with de Graef that they are only Ligaments of the Testicles to keep them in their place; which he evinces further by observing, that they come not to the inner Cavity of the Ʋ∣terus, but are knit only to its outer Coat: for he says, there are only two holes in the Fundus uteri that admit a Probe, and those lead to the Tubae Fallopianae and not to these Ligaments.
Seeing therefore that those which have been accounted Vasa deferentia either are not to be found at all,* 1.234 or are found uncapable of such an office; and having withall rejected the opinion of Womens having Seed, and affirmed that that which makes the conception is one of those Vesi∣culae in the Testes, dropping from thence and con∣veyed into the Womb, we must inquire by what way they can pass. For if the abovesaid Liga∣ments (reputed Vasa deferentia) have no pas∣sage whereby even the Semen, if there were any, might pass; much less could one of these Vesiculae be conveyed that way. And therefore for Vasa deferentia we assign those ducts that Fallopius in his Anatomical observations calls Tubae, and de∣scribes thus:
They are very slender and narrow ducts, nervous and white, arising from the horns (or sides) of the Womb, and at a lit∣tle distance from it they become larger, and twist like the tendrel of a Vine, till near their end, where ceasing their winding they grow very large, and seem membranous and car∣nous. Which end is very much torn and jagged like the edge of rent Clothes: and has a large Foramen, which (says he) always lies closed, because those jags fall together; but yet being
opened they are like the utmost orifice of a Brass Trumpet.]But de Graef says, though they grow very large towards their end, yet of a sudden the very extreme part is narrowed before it is divided into the aforesaid jags, which he resembles unto leaves. Who also appeals unto experiment for these Tubae's being pervious, affir∣ming that if one put a little Tube into the begin∣ning of one of these same Trumpets and blow it, the wind will presently break through it, which he saith he has observed in all the kinds of Ani∣mals that he has dissected.
These Tubae (according to Dr. Harvey) are the same in Women that the Cornua or Horns of the Womb are in other Creatures. For they answer to those both in situation, connexion, amplitude, perforation, likeness and also of∣fice: for as other Animals always conceive in the Cornua, so it has been sometimes observed (as by Riolanus from others; and by himself) that a conception has in a Woman been con∣tained in one of the Tubae.]Which must have happened, when the Ovum being received out of the Testis into it, has been stopt in its passage to the Womb, either from its own bigness, or some obstruction in the Tubae.
Their substance is not nervous (as Fallopius in the above-recited description affirms) but mem∣branous.* 1.235 For they consist of two Membranes, the outer and inner. The inner springs from (or at least is common with) that which covers the inner substance of the Womb; but whereas it is smooth in the Womb, it is very wrinkled in the Tubae. The outer is common with the outmost of the Womb; and this is smooth.
The capacity of these ducts varies very much:* 1.236 for in the beginning as it goes out of the Womb, it only admits a bristle, but in its progress where it is largest it will receive ones little finger. But in the utmost extremity where 'tis divided into jags, it is but about a quarter so wide.
They are very uncertain also in their length;* 1.237 for from four or five, they sometimes encrease to eight or nine fingers breadth long.
Their use is,* 1.238 In a fruitfull copulation to grant a passage to a more subtile part of the Masculine seed (or to a seminal air) towards the Testes, to bedew the Eggs contained in them; which Eggs (one or more) being by that means fecun∣dated (or ripened as it were) and dropping off from the Testis (in the manner as shall be descri∣bed Chap. 30.) are received by the extremity of the Tubae, and carried along their inner Cavi∣ty to the Ʋterus. For Dr. Harvey affirms that they have a worm-like or peristaltick motion like that of the Guts (de Cervarum & Damarum Ʋ∣tero, Exercit. 65.) And the same is affirmed by Swammerdam, Not. in Prodr.
Against this use two objections may be made; First, that the end of the Tuba not adhering close to the Testis, when one of the Vesiculae, (or Ova, as we think they are) shall drop off from the Te∣stis, it would more probably fall into the Cavity of the Abdomen, than light just pat in the mouth of the Tuba. Secondly, That when it is received by it, its duct is so narrow, that 'tis hard to con∣ceive how it can pass by it.
As to the first; the same objection may lie a∣gainst the use of the Oviduct or Infundibulum in Hens, for neither in them does it join quite close
to the Ovarium, (as Swammerdam, &c. truly ob∣serves) and yet it is certain that the Vitelli or lit∣tle Yelks (or rudiments of the Eggs) do all pass by them to the Ʋterus. The same, Swammerdam observes also in Frogs, in one of whom there are many hundreds of Eggs, which all pass one after another from the Ovarium by the Oviduct or In∣fundibulum, and yet the mouth of the Oviduct is almost two fingers breadth from the Ovarium, and besides is immovable, whereas the Tubae in Women are at liberty (and are more than long enough) to embrace the Ovarium with their ori∣fice: and we must believe that they do so when a conception is made; for it is not improbable that when all the other parts of the Genital are turgid in the act of Copulation, these Tubae also may be in some measure erected, and extend their opened mouth to the Testicle, to impregnate the Ova with the Seminal air steaming through their duct, and if any one be fecundated and separate, to receive it afterwards by its orifice.
As to the second objection, which urges the narrowness of these Tubae; He that considers the straitness of the inner orifice of the Womb, both in Maids and in Women with Child, and yet ob∣serves it to dilate so much upon occasion as to permit an egress to the Child out of the Womb, cannot wonder that to serve a necessary end of Nature the small duct of the Tubae should be so far widen'd as to give passage to an Ovum, seeing its proportion to their duct is many times less than of the Child to the usual largeness of the said ori∣fice.
HAving treated of the Vasa praeparantia (so called) that bring nourishment to the Te∣stes or Ovaria, as also of these and their Ova, and lastly of the Tubae through which the Ova pass to the Ʋterus; we now come to the Ʋterus it self which receives the Ova, and in which the concep∣tion is formed, and the Foetus nourished till it acquire its due maturity and be fit for the birth.
The Ʋterus or Womb is usually divided into four parts, the Furdus or bottom, Os internum or Cervix, the Vagina, and the Sinus pudoris or out∣ward Privity. Of each of these in order. And first of the Fundus.
This in a special manner is called the Womb,* 1.239 because all the rest seem to be made for its sake. It is also called the Matrix, from its being as a Mother to conserve and nourish the Foetus; and likewise Ʋtriculus from Ʋtris a Bottle.
It is seated in the Hypogastrium or lowest part of the Abdomen,* 1.240 in that large hollow that is cal∣led Pelvis, and is formed out of the Ossa Ilii, the Hip, the Ossa pubis, and the Os sacrum. In this Cavity it is placed between the Bladder and the streight Gut; so that Man being bred betwixt piss and dung, if he would but consider his ori∣gine, might hence draw an argument of humility.
Its hindmost part is loose,* 1.241 that it might be ex∣tended as the Foetus encreaseth. But its sides are tied fast by two pairs of Ligaments.
The first pair are further from the Os internum,* 1.242 and are broad, arising from the Peritonaeum. They have a membranous, loose and soft substance, and for their shape are resembled to Bats wings. They tie the sides of the Fundus, the Testes and a good part of the Tubae together, and are fasten'd to the Ossa Ilii, whereby the Womb is kept from falling down. But if they be either immoderately relaxed, or by any violence broken, then the Womb descends and sometimes falls out (turn∣ing inside outwards) if the substance of the Womb happen to be relaxed also.
The second pair arise nearer to the inner orifice of the Vagina, about where the Tubae do, and are called the round Ligaments, or worm-like. From their origine which is broad, they ascend on each side between the duplicature of the Peritonaeum towards the Groins, and running out of the Cavi∣ty of the Abdomen become round, and then pass obliquely above the Os pubis towards the fat that is plentifull there (and makes the Mons Veneris) in which they terminate near the Clitoris, being divided into many parts. They consist of a dou∣ble Membrane, the inner whereof has all sorts of Vessels, Nerves Arteries, Veins and Vasa lym∣phatica; and are about a span long. Vestingius, Diemerbroeck, &c. say that they receive a small Seminal vessel from the Testes and Tubae, which they conduct to the Clitoris into which they are inserted, and ought rather to be accounted Vasa deferentia than Ligaments. So that what Women emit from about the Clitoris in copulation, they think to be true Semen conducted hither by those seminal ducts. But de Graef denies any such ducts, and affirms that these Ligaments reach
not the Clitoris, but are terminated in the afore∣said fat. And that humour which Women emit (sometimes) he thinks doth issue out of the La∣cunae in the orifices of the Vagina and urinary pas∣sage, or also from the Meatus's in the neck of the Womb. Which humour is supplied to the former parts from the thick and membranous body that is about the urinary passage; and to the latter from the nervose-membranous substance of the neck of the Womb. And indeed who can think Nature so prodigal of so spirituous and noble a liquor as Seed, as to ordain it to be shed at the orifice of the Pudendum, and so to be quite lost, and never mixed with the Mans, which is ejected into the bottom of the Womb? But we have a∣bove denied all Seed to Women; and therefore believe that the liquor they emit is only for the lubricating of the Vagina to cause the greater plea∣sure in coitu. But to this purpose more before.
Its substance is whitish,* 1.243 nervous or rather mem∣branous; dense and compact in Virgins, but in Women with Child a little spongy and soft.
It hath two Membranes.* 1.244 The outer is strong and double, arising from the Peritonaeum: the in∣ner, being proper, is fibrous and more porous. Betwixt these Membranes there is a certain car∣nous and fibrous contexture, which in Women with Child, together with the said Membranes, does imbibe so much of the nutritious humours that then slow thither, that the more the Foetus encreaseth, the more fleshy, fibrous and thick doth the Womb grow; so that in the last months it becomes an inch thick, and sometimes two fingers breadth, though it be extended to so much greater compass than it has when a Woman is
not with Child. And yet (which is strange) within sixteen or twenty days after a Woman is brought to Bed, it becomes as thin as before (viz. about half a fingers breadth) and the whole contracts into so little a compass as to be held in ones hand.
In Virgins it is about two fingers breadth broad,* 1.245 and three long. In those that have lain with a Man it is a little bigger, and something larger yet in those that have born Children.
In shape it is something like a Pear,* 1.246 only a little ••lattish above and below. But in Women with Child it becomes more round.
In Maids its Cavity is so small that it will hard∣ly hold a large hazel nut.* 1.247 In those that have had Children it will hold a small walnut. It is divi∣ded into no Cells as it is in most viviparous Brutes, but only into the right and left side by a Suture or line that goes lengthways, much like that in a Man's Cod. Its Cavity is not quite round, but jets out a little towards each side; which jetting some call its Horns, but improperly: for though Galen (and many after him) having never dissected any Woman, presuming that their Womb was like that of other viviparous Crea∣tures, attributed Cornua thereto, yet in truth they have none, but the Tubae Fallopianae (as was noted before) answer to them and do their office. Only in Brutes (viz. such as have Cornua) the conception is always formed in the Cornua, as being the greatest part of the Ʋterus (which from the very orifice of its Fundus is presently divided into them, as when one parts the fore∣from the middle finger as wide as one can) but very rarely in the Tubae in Women, but most
an end in the Fundus it self. Of which more in Chap. 30.
Its Arteries spring partly from the Spermatick or Praeparantes,* 1.248 and partly from the Hypoga∣strick. These two Arteries do on each side by a notable branch inosculate one with the other. And both their branches that run on one side the Womb, do inosculate with those of their own stock on the other. Which may plainly be seen by blowing into the trunk of either of them on which side you will, for then the branches on the other side will be puffed up, as well as those on that side you blow.
They run along the Womb not with a streight or direct course but bending and winding, that they may be extended without danger of breaking when the Womb is enlarged to so great a bulk by the Foetus. By these Arteries it is that the month∣ly Courses flow, in greatest quantity out of those that open into the Ʋterus it self, but in lesser out of those branches that reach and open into the Cervix or neck of the Womb, and in least (if at all) out of the Vagina. Now whether the Bloud be sent forth this way at such times only from the two great quantity of it; or whether at such stated seasons there is also a fermentation of the Bloud whereby the orifices of the Arteries are unlocked, is a controversie of two large conside∣ration for this place. We will only say that the latter is more probable, because when a Woman feeds high, and so breeds much Bloud, they flow never the sooner (though it may be in greater quantity) and when she uses the greatest absti∣nence and spareness of diet (if she be healthfull) they will be never the longer of coming. So
that when through such effervescency the Bloud flows plentifully into the Uterine vessels, and the Veins of the Womb being too few (for they are fewer than the Arteries) to return it all back a∣gain by the circulation, it bursts forth of the ex∣tremities of the Arteries so long, till the too great quantity of the Bloud be lessen'd and the fermen∣tation ceases, which it does after three or four days, and so the flux stops till the next period. In Women with Child they seldom flow, because then the redundant Bloud is bestowed on the nou∣rishment of the Foetus: and it is the wanting of the Menses at the usual season, that commonly gives Women the first Item of their having con∣ceived. But of this also more in Chap. 30.
The Veins do likewise spring from the Praepa∣rantes and from the Hypogastrick.* 1.249 There are many anastomoses of these Veins one with ano∣ther, (as there was noted of the Arteries) but especially in the sides of the Ʋterus, which do more readily appear by blowing of them up, than those of the Arteries above spoken of. The Bloud brought hither by the Arteries, that is not spent on the ordinary nutrition of the Womb, or is not cast out when the Menses flow, returns by these Veins back to the Heart.
It has Nerves from the Plexus mesenterii maxi∣mus of the Intercostal pair,* 1.250 and from the lowest Plexus of the same. As also from the Nerves of Os sacrum. And the same run also to the Testes or Ovaria. Now it is these Plexus of Nerves that are chiefly affected in the Hysterical passion, or Fits of the Mother. For these Fits are meerly Convulsive, and often happen without any fault of the Womb at all. And that symptom that in
such Fits is usual, namely when something like a Ball seems to rise from the bottom of the Belly and to beat strongly about the Navel (which is usually taken by Women for the rising of the Womb or Mother) is nothing but the convulsion of these Plexus of Nerves: which one will the rather believe, when he considers that some Men are afflicted with the same symptom. Of which see more in Dr. Willis (in Cerebr. anat. p. 201.) who derives the pain of the Colick also from the same cause.
De Graef says there are many Lympheducts that creep through the outer substance of the Ʋ∣terus,* 1.251 which one after another meeting into one empty themselves into the common Receptacle: And these he says, Bartholin mistakes for Venae lacteae.
The use of the Womb is to receive into its ca∣pacity the principles of the formation of the Foe∣tus,* 1.252 to afford it nourishment, to preserve it from injuries, and at length when it is grown to matu∣rity and requires the light and a freer air, to ex∣pell it forth.
The Cervix or Os internum of the Womb being contiguous to it and coming betwixt it and the Vagina,* 1.253 we will treat of it in this Chapter. It seems to be a part of the Fundus or of the Womb properly so called, only it is much narrower, for its Cavity is no wider in Virgins than a small Quill, and in Women with Child its inner orifice doth either quite close its sides together, or is daub'd up with a slimy yellowish humour, so that nothing can then enter into the Womb, un∣less in very lustfull Women it be sometimes open'd
in superfoetation. It is an inch or more in length. Its Cavity as it opens to the Vagina is compared to the mouth of a Tench; Galen likens it to the Glans of a Man's Penis; for its Cavity is not round, but long and transverse. It is wrinkled, and has many small ducts opening into it, out of which one may press a pituitous serous matter. It has the same Membranes and the same Vessels with the Ʋterus it self. De Graef says that amongst its wrinkles he has often observed Hydatides or little watry Bladders; and thinks that abovesaid serous matter serves only to moisten the Vagi∣na, &c. and to excite to Venery.
IT has its name Vagina or Sheath,* 1.254 because it receives the Penis like a Sheath. It is called also the door of the Womb, and its greater Neck, to distinguish it from the lesser, just now described in the foregoing Chapter.
It is a soft and loose Pipe,* 1.255 uneven with orbicu∣lar wrinkles, of a nervous but somewhat spongy substance (which lust causes to puff up a little, that it may embrace the Yard more closely) a∣bout seven fingers breadth long, and as wide as the streight Gut: all which yet, both length, width and looseness differ in respect of age, &c. and as a Woman is inflam'd more or less with lust.
So also the aforesaid wrinkles are much more nu∣merous and close set in Virgins, and in Women that seldom accompany with a Man, and that have never born Children, than in those that have born many Children, and in Whores that use frequent copulation, or those that have long laboured under the fluor albus, for in all these three sorts they are almost obliterated.
It has very many Arteries and Veins, some of which inosculate one with another, and others not: By the Arteries that open into it do the Menses sometimes flow in Women with Child that are plethorick: for they cannot come from the Womb it self, unless abortion follow, as some∣times it does. These Vessels bring plenty of Bloud hither in the venereal congress, which heating and puffing up the Vagina encreaseth the pleasure, and hinders the Man's Seed from cool∣ing before it reach the Ʋterus. They spring not only from the Hypogastrick but also from the Hemorrhoidal, but these latter run only through the lower part of the Vagina. Its Nerves spring from those that are inserted into the Ʋterus, but most from those of Os sacrum. De Graef says that all along the Vagina there are abundance of pores, out of which a serous pituitous humour always flows to moisten it, but especially in coitu, when it is sometimes offensive to the Man through its quantity, but encreases the pleasure of the Woman, and is that which is taken for her Seed, as has been noted already.
Near its outer end, under the Nymphae (of which in the next Chapter) in its fore and up∣per part it receives the neck of the Urinary blad∣der encompassed with its Sphincter; opposite
whereto in its hinder or lower part it is strongly knit to the Sphincter of the streight Gut.
In Virgins its duct is so strait, that at their first congress with a Man they have commonly more pain than pleasure through the extension of it by the Penis, whereby some small Vessels break, out of which Bloud issues as out of a slain Victim (to speak with Diemerbro••ck:) unless we should rather think that the Bloud proceeds from the rupture of the Hymen, which we now come to describe.
The Hymen is a thin Nervous membrane inter∣woven with carnous Fibres,* 1.256 and endowed with many little Arteries and Veins, spread across the duct of the Vagina, behind the insertion of the neck of the Bladder, with a hole in the midst that will admit the top of ones little finger, by which the Menses flow. It is otherwise called the Zone or Girdle of Chastity. Where it is found in this form described, it is a certain note of Virginity; but upon the first admission of a Man's Yard it is necessarily broke and bleeds, which Bloud is cal∣led the Flower of Virginity; and of this the holy Text makes mention in Deuteron. 22. verses 13.— 21. And when once it is broke, it never closes again.
But though a Bridegroom when he finds these signs of Virginity may certainly conclude he has married a Maid; yet it will not follow on the contrary, that where they are wanting, Virgini∣ty is also wanting. For the Hymen may be corro∣ded by acrimonious fretting humours flowing through it with the Menses, or from the falling out or inversion of the Ʋterus or the Vagina at
least, which sometimes happens even to Maids. Or if a Maid be so indiscreet as to become a Bride while her Courses flow or within a day after, then both the Hymen and the inner wrinkled Membrane of the Vagina are so flaggy and relaxed, that the Penis may enter glibly without any lett, and so give suspicion of Unchastity, when indeed she's unblameable saving for her imprudence to marry at that season.
Sometimes in elderly Maids the Hymen grows so strong that a Man is glad to make many essays before he can penetrate it. Yea in some naturally it is quite closed up, and these by this means ha∣ving their Menses stopt, are in great peril of their life if they be not relieved by Surgery, viz. opening it with some sharp Instrument.
Close to the Hymen lie the four Carunculae myr∣tiformes,* 1.257 so called from their resembling Myrtle∣berries. The largest of them is uppermost, stan∣ding just at the mouth of the urinary passage which it shuts after water is made. Opposite to this in the bottom of the Vagina there is another, and on each side one, so that they stand in a square. But of these there is only the first in Maids; the other three are not indeed Caruncles, but little knobs made of the angular parts of the broken Hymen roll'd into a heap by the wrinkling of the Vagina, according to Riolanus and Diemerbroeck. These three when the Vagina is extended in a Wo∣mans labour, lose their asperity and become smooth, so that they disappear, untill it be again contracted to its natural straitness.
De Graef affirms,
that the Vagina near its outer orifice has a Sphincter muscle almost
three fingers broad, that upon occasion con∣stringes or contracts it. So that he says Men and Women need not be solicitous concerning the Genitals being proportionable one to the other; for the Vagina is made so artificially (affabrè is his word) that it can accommodate it self to any Penis, so that it will give way to a long one, meet a short one, widen to a thick one, constringe to a small one: so that every Man might well enough lie with any Woman, and every Woman with any Man.]Thus he.
Having thus described the parts of the Vagina, its use is easily declared to be, to receive the Man's Yard being erect, to direct and convey the Seed into the Womb, to serve for a Conduit by which the Menses may flow out, and to afford a passage to the Foetus in its birth, and to the After∣birth.
THE parts that offer themselves to view without any diduction are the Fissura magna or great chink, with its Labia or Lips, the Mons Veneris and the Hairs. These parts are called by the general name of Pudenda, because when they are bared they bring pudor or shame upon a Woman.
The great Chink is called Cunnus by Galen,* 1.258 à 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to conceive; by Hippocrates, Natura. It is also called Vulva, Porcus, Concha, and by many other names that fancy has imposed upon it.
It reaches from the lower part of Os pubis to within an inch of the Anus: being by Nature made so large, because the outward Skin is not so apt to be extended in travail as the membranous Vagina and Collum minus are. It is less and closer in Maids than in those that have born Children. It has two Lips, which towards the Pubes grow thicker and more full or protuberant, and meet∣ing upon the middle of the Os pubis make that ri∣sing that is called Mons veneris, the Hill of Venus, which all those that will war in the Camp of Venus must first ascend.
Its outward substance is Skin covered with Hair,* 1.259 as the Labia are, which begins to grow here about the fourteenth year of age. The in∣ner substance of this Hill, which makes it bunch so up, is most of it fat, and serves for a soft Cushi∣on as it were in copulation to hinder the Ossa pu∣bis of the Man and Woman to hit one against the other, for that would be painfull and disturb the venereal pleasures. Under this fat lies that Muscle that we spoke of from de Graef in the last Chapter, that constringes the orifice of the Vagi∣na, and springs from the Sphincter ani.
By a little drawing aside the Labia there then appear the Nymphae and the Clitoris.
The Nymphs are so called because they stand next to the Urine as it spouts out from the Blad∣der,* 1.260 and keep it from wetting the Labia. They are called also 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or Wings. They are placed
on each side next within the Labia, and are two carnous and soft productions, beginning at the jointing of the Ossa pubis or upper part of the Pri∣vity (where they are joined in an acute angle, and make that wrinkled membranous production that clothes the Clitoris like a Praeputium or Fore∣skin) and descending, close all the way to each other, reaching but about half the breadth of the orifice of the Vagina and ending each in an obtuse angle. They are almost triangular, and there∣fore, as also for their colour, are compared to the thrills that hang under a Cock's throat.
They have a red substance,* 1.261 partly fleshy, part∣ly membranous; within soft and spongy, loosly composed of small Membranes and Vessels, so that they are very apt to be distended by the in∣flux of the Animal spirits and Arterial bloud. The Spirits they have from the same Nerves that run through the Vagina, and Bloud from that branch of the inner Iliacal artery that is called Pudenda: Veins they have also from the Venae pu∣dendae which carry away the Arterial bloud from them when they become flaccid. They are larger in grown Maids than in younger, and larger yet in those that have used Venery or born Children. They never according to nature reach above half way out from between the Labia.
Their use is to defend the inner parts,* 1.262 to cover the urinary passage, and a good part of the orifice of the Vagina. And to the same purposes serve the Labia above described.
Above betwixt the Nymphae in the upper part of the Pudendum does a part jet out a little that is called Clitoris,* 1.263 from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that signifies lasci∣viously
to grope the Pudendum. It is otherwise called Virga, for it answers to a Man's Yard in shape, situation, substance, repletion with spi∣rits and erection, and differs from it only in length and bigness. In some it grows to that length as to hang out from betwixt the Lips of the Privity: yea there are many stories of such as have had it so long and big as to be able to ac∣company with other Women like unto Men, and such are called Fricatrices, or otherwise Herma∣phrodites; who it is not probable are truly of both Sexes, but only the Testes fall down into the Labia, and this Clitoris is preternaturally exten∣ded. But in most it jets out so little as that it does not appear but by drawing aside the Labia.
It is a little,* 1.264 long and round body, consisting (like a Man's Penis) of two nervous and inwardly black and spongy parts, that arise on each side from the bunching of the Os Ischium, and meet together at the jointing or conjunction of the Ossa pubis. It lies under the fat of Mons Veneris, in the top of the great fissure. In Venery by means of the two nervous bodies it puffs up, and straitening the orifice of the Vagina contributes to the embracing of the Penis the more closely.
Its outer end is like to the Glans of a Man's Yard,* 1.265 and has the same name, as also Tentigo. And as the Glans in Men is the seat of the greatest pleasure in copulation, so is this in Women: whence it is called Amoris dulcedo and oestrum Veneris. It has some resemblance of a Foramen, but it is not pervious. It is most of it covered with a thin Membrane from the conjunction of the Nymphae, which for its likeness to the Praepu∣tium in Men is also called so.
The Clitoris has two pair of Muscles belonging to it.* 1.266 The upper are round and spring from the Bones of the Coxendix, and passing along the two nervous bodies above-described are inserted into them. These by straitning the roots of the said bodies do detain the Bloud and Spirits in them, and so erect the Clitoris, even as those in Men do the Penis. The other arise from the Sphincter ani, and are those we mention'd above in the end of the foregoing Chapter: for though they have been thought to serve for the erection of the Clitoris, yet we think with de Graef that they rather contribute to the pursing up or constringing the outer orifice of the Vagina.
It has Veins and Arteries from the Pudendae,* 1.267 and Nerves from the same origine with the Vagina, which are pretty large.
Its use may be known from what has already been discoursed. And we will note further, that in some Eastern Countries it uses to be so large, that for its deformity and the hindrance it gives to copulation, they use to cut it quite out, or hinder its growth by searing it, which they im∣properly call Circumcision.
TAB. VII
HAving described all the parts that serve for Generation both in Man and Woman; or∣der would, that we should speak of the efficient causes, matter or principles from whence that which is generated by and in them, doth proceed. And in the first place there occurs the Man's Seed, which is the active principle or efficient cause of the Foetus; but when we discoursed of the Testes, we shewed what the matter of it was, viz. Arte∣rial bloud and Animal spirits; and as to the manner of its ••ecundating the Ovum, we omit that as being too philosophical for this place. In the next place therefore we must come to the matter or passive principle of the Foetus, and this is an Ovum impregnated by the Man's Seed. And here because in Women it cannot be observed by what degrees and in what time an Ovum in the Ovarium or Testis becomes a Conception in the Ʋterus, we must be forced to guess at that by the analogy in other Creatures. To this purpose Dr. Harvey de generatione Animalium is worthy to be read of the curious; especially concerning the manner and order of the generation of the parts of a Chicken in an Hens Egg, in his Exercit. 56. But when he comes to apply this to the Concepti∣ons of viviparous Animals, being ignorant that there was any formal Ovum pre-existing in them, and only then secundated, he runs into great errours and odd notions about Conception: ima∣gining
an analogy betwixt the Brain's forming its Phantasms or Conceptions, (which he calls Ani∣mal) and the Wombs forming hers, which he calls Natural. He rightly indeed rejects the Hy∣pothesis of the Womans having true Seed, as also the notion that the Man's Seed is any part of the Conception: but then he gives an unsatisfactory account of it when he says it is formed of the pri∣meval albugineous humours that transude into the Cornua in Brutes or Ʋterus in Women, after they are impregnated or matur'd, as he speaks. I shall not therefore rehearse the history of generation in Harts that he has given us, for an analogical explication of that in Women; but shall transcribe the observations of the curious de Graef concerning the generation of Rabbets, as being more adapted to our purpose.
We made the first trial, (says he) on a fe∣male Rabbet that had not yet accompanied with the male. Dissecting which we observed a very wide Vagina and about eight fingers breadth long, which being opened lengthways, there stood out two narrow mouths in its upper part divided with a s••milunar partition, namely the beginning of each Cornu: for the Womb in Conies is presently from the very Vagina divi∣ded into two parts, one of which bends to∣wards the right hand, the other towards the left about three fingers breadth asunder, where they are presently contracted and continued with the Oviducts, which in these Animals have a peculiar situation (or make) because if you lightly blow up the Cornua these will not swell, nor the wind penetrate them because of some loose Fimbriae or rags closing like the valve
of the Gut Colon. These Oviducts being small at their rising from the Cornua, for five fingers breadth run with a winding duct beyond the Testicles, widening more and more by degrees, and then they turn back towards them and end in the form of a Tunnel..... The Testicles are small, but contain very many limpid Eggs, which being cut open there issued out a clammy liquor like the white of an Egg. This being premised,
We opened another half an hour after the coitus, the Cornua of whose Ʋterus lookt a little redder, but the Ova in the Testicles were not yet chang'd, unless they had remitted a little of their clearness: but neither in the Vagina nor in the Cornua could we perceive any Seed or any thing like it.
About six hours after the coupling we dissec∣ted another, in whose Testicles the Folliculi (or Cases) of the Ova inclined to redness, out of which being pricked with a needle a clammy and clear liquor issued first, but bloud followed, flowing out of the Sanguinary vessels dispersed through the Folliculi: We could find no Seed neither in this Coney.
Four and twenty hours after the coitus we opened another, in one of whose Testicles we found three, and in the other five Folliculi of the Ova very much changed; for being before limpid and colourless, they were now turn'd duskish and of a faint red, in the middle of whose superficies a little Papilla (or Teat) as it were discover'd it self: when the Folli∣culi were cut open, there appear'd a little limpid liquor in their middle, a••d in their
circumference a certain thicker and reddish matter.
Twenty seven hours after the coitus we in∣spected another, the Cornua of whose Ʋterus with the Oviducts looked more bloudy, also the extremity of the Oviduct did on every side embrace the Testes like a Tunnel; in the mid∣dle superficies of the Folliculi, as in those before, there stood out little Papillae, through which by pressing the substance of the Testicles there issued a limpid liquor, which was follow∣ed by another redder and thicker. Opening the Cornua of the Womb we found no Eggs, but the inner wrinkled tunicle of the Cornua was a little more tumid.
Eight and forty hours after the coitus we exa∣min'd another, in one of whose Testicles we found seven, in the other three Folliculi chan∣ged, in whose middle the Papillae were some∣thing more eminent, through which, by pres∣sing the substance of the Testicles, there issued a little liquor like the white of an Egg, but the remaining reddish substance of the Ova, be∣ing now become something thicker, was not so easily pressed forth as in those before.
Two and fifty hours after the coitus we view∣ed another, in one of whose Testicles we found one, in the other four Folliculi altered; cutting open which we found a glandulous-like matter, in the middle of which there was a little Cavity, wherein finding no notable liquor, we begun to suspect whether or no their limpid substance, which is contained in proper Membranes, were burst forth or expelled: wherefore we searched carefully both the Oviducts and the Cornua, but
we could find nothing; only the inner tunicle of the Cornua being much pufft up shined.
Seventy two hours (or three days and nights) after the coitus we inspected another, which exhibited a far other and most wonder∣full change; for the Infundibulum did embrace the Testicles on every side most closely, which being pull'd off we found in the Testicle of the right side three Folliculi a little greater and harder, in the middle of whose superficies we saw a tubercle with a little hole in it like a Pa∣pilla; but dissecting the said Cases through the middle, their Cavity was quite empty; where∣fore we searched the ways through which the Ova must pass, again and again, and found in the middle of the right Oviduct one, and in the outer end of the Cornu of the same side two very small Eggs, little bigger than small pins heads, which notwithstanding their smallness are cloathed with a double Coat; out of these Eggs being pricked there issued a most limpid liquor...... In the very beginning of the Cornu of the left side we found only one Egg, just like those small ones of the other side: whence it is clear that the Ova excluded out of the Testes are ten times less than those that yet stick in the Testes; which seems to us to come to pass inasmuch as those that are still in the Testes contain as yet another matter, namely that of which the glandulous substance of the Cases is made.
The fourth day from the coitus we opened a∣nother, in one of whose Testicles we found four, in the other three Globules or Cases emp∣tied; and in the Cornua of the respective sides
we found as many Eggs, greater than the for∣mer, which did not stick in the Oviducts or be∣ginnings of the Cornua, but were now rolled on towards their middle: in their Cavity we be∣held as it were another Egg swimming, far clearer than in the other before.....
The fifth day from the coitus we dissected a∣nother, in whose Ovaria or Testicles we told six emptied Folliculi, that had each a notable Pa∣pilla, through whose Foramen we easily put an ordinary bristle into their Cavity: we found also the same number of Eggs (bigger than those the day before) in divers parts of the Cornua, in which they lay so loosely, that by blowing only, one might drive them this way or that way. The inner tunicle of these (or the Egg within an Egg as it were) was become yet more conspicuous.
The sixth day after the coitus we examin'd another, in one of whose Testicles we observ'd six Cases emptied, and in the Cornu of the same side we could light of but only five Eggs near the Vagina, brought as it were upon a heap: but in the Testiole of the other side we found four Folliculi emptied, and in the Cornu of that side only one Egg: The cause of which diffe∣rence we suppose to be, either because some Eggs by the wave-like motion of the Cornua (not unlike the peristaltick motion of the Guts) being carried downwards towards the Vagina were driven forth; or because being consumed in the Folliculi they came not to the Ʋterus; or light on some other mischance. These Eggs were as big as small Pease.
The seventh day from the coitus we examin'd
another, in whose Ovaria we found some Folli∣culi emptied that were greater, redder and harder than the foregoing, and saw as many transparent Tumours or Cells in divers parts of the Ʋterus; out of which being opened we tur∣ned Ova as big as Pocket-pistol Bullets, in which we beheld nothing but the Inner tunicle very conspicuous and a most limpid humour. It is to be wondred at, that in so short a space of time the Eggs should imbibe so great plenty of liquor, that whereas before they might easi∣ly be taken out of the Womb, now they could very difficultly.
The eighth day from the Coitus we opened another, in the right Cornu of whose Ʋterus we saw one, in the left two Cells; one of these was almost twice as big as the other: for Nature doth sometimes so vary, that there are Eggs of divers bigness found not only in divers Animals of the same species dissected at the same distance from the coitus, but also in one and the same In∣dividual. In the horns of the Womb being opened we saw the Eggs a little bigger than the day before, but all of them, their tunicles breaking, poured out their clear liquor before we could take them quite out: for which rea∣son we tried another dissected likewise the eighth day after the coitus; the right Cornu of whose Ʋterus we saw swelled up into two, and the left into four transparent Tumours or Cells, out of which that we might take the Ova we used the greatest diligence and attention; but as soon as we came to them, their tunicles were so very tender that they burst as the former: which when we saw, the Eggs that remained
we boiled with the Ʋterus, whereby their con∣tents harden'd like the whites of Hens Eggs. The inner substance of the Cells, on that side whereon it receives the Hypogastrick vessels, was become more tumid and red.
The ninth day after the coitus we dissected a∣nother that was old; the Testicles of this were almost as big again as those of younger: in the right we saw two, in the left ••ive Folliculi lately emptied, and besides these, others that lookt very pale, which we judged to be those that had been emptied the coitus before this, although for the most part they leave only some palish points or specks, to which the increase of the Testicles is owing. The Folliculi of the last coitus were each beset with a Papilla, but the others were smooth. In the right Cornu there were two, and in the left five Cells, whose sub∣stance being more rare and pellucid than the other parts of the Ʋterus was interwoven with many twigs of Veins and Arteries. Opening some of these Cells, we could see the Ova, but could not take them out whole; wherefore be∣ing compelled to examine the content of the Eggs in the very hollow of the Cells, we found it clear like Crystal; in the middle whereof a certain rare and thin cloud was seen to swim, which in other Conies dissected likewise on the ninth day after the coitus for its exceeding fine∣ness escaped our sight. The inner substance of the Cells, namely that which receives the Hy∣pogastrick vessels, being more tumid than the rest, exhibited the rudiments of the Pla∣centae.
The tenth day after the coitus we inspected
another, in whose right Testicle we found one only Folliculus emptied, which by reason of the Sanguineous vessels dispersed plentifully through it was redder and had a less Papilla; in the middle of this pale substance there ap∣pear'd as yet a very small Cavity: but in the left Testicle we found six such Folliculi. In the Cornua of the Ʋterus we found also so many Cells, namely one in the right and six in the left distant a fingers breadth one from another, in the middle of which Cells lay a rude mucilagi∣nous draught of the Embryo like a little Worm▪ one might also plainly discern the Placenta to which the Egg by means of its Chorion was an∣nexed. The matter of the Eggs boil'd with the Womb hardned like the white of an Egg, and tasted like the boiled congealed substance of the Eggs in the Testicles.
The twelfth day after the coitus we opened another, in one of whose Testicles we found se∣ven, in the other five Folliculi emptied, and as many Cells in the Cornua much bigger and rounder than the foregoing, in the middle of which the Embryo was so conspicuous, that one might in a sort discern its Limbs, in the region of whose Breast two sanguineous specks and as many white ones did offer themselves to view: in the Abdomen there grew a certain mucilagi∣nous substance inclining here and there to red. We could not discern more in this shapeless lit∣tle Animal because of its tenderness.
The fourteenth day after the coitus we disse••∣ted another, the Cells of whose Ʋterus we be∣held to be yet greater, and the Sanguineous vessels more, and more turgid: we also noted
that the Cells the larger they grew, came also nearer to one another, and their Interstices were lessened. The Membranes Amnios and Chorion were knit together, which though they appear thicker and stronger, are yet more hard to be separated from one another than in the Ova taken intirely out of the Womb; tearing these we saw an Embryo with a great and pellu∣cid Head, with the Cerebellum copped; its gogle Eyes, gaping Mouth, and in some sort its little Ears might be discovered also. Its Back-bone was drawn out, of a white colour, which bending in about the Sternum resembled a Ship; by whose sides most slender Vessels run, whose ramifications were extended to the Back and Feet. In the region of the Breast two san∣guineous specks greater than the foregoing ex∣hibited the rudiments of the ventricles of the Heart; at the sides whereof were seen two whitish specks for Lungs. In the Abdomen be∣ing opened, there first shew'd it self a reddish Liver; then a white Body, to which was knit a mucilaginous matter like a writhed thread, being the rudiments of the Stomach and Guts. All which in those that we dissected afterwards had acquired only a greater bulk and perfection. And therefore to prevent tediousness by re∣peating the same things, we will on purpose pass by all the other dissections we made in this kind of Creature, excepting only one which we made the day before the kindling; that those things that in the former were only confusedly discerned,may appear plain in this.
At length on the twenty ninth day after the coitus we inspected another, that had kindled
six weeks before, and in the coitus by which she was impregnated had voided all the thicker part of the Seed of the Male, which in some measure did resemble the consistence of a most limpid jelly. In her Ovaria we found eleven little whitish Folliculi; and besides these, others far less, little or nothing differing from the substance of the Testes. The Folliculi of the Ova in the Testes seem not to vanish wholly, but to leave a certain speck in them; whence it certainly comes to pass, that Conies, the oft∣ner or the more young ones they bring forth, have the greater and whiter Testicles; so that one may guess by only viewing the Testes, whe∣ther they have had many young ones or often. Having view'd the Ovarium we past to the Ʋte∣rus, which we found no longer distinguish'd in∣to Cells, but all along distended like a Pud∣ding; which was so agitated with a wave-like motion like the peristaltick of the Guts, that the young ones nearest the Vagina as yet inclu∣ded in their Membranes were excluded, and that so hastily, that if we had not cut out the whole Ʋterus, they had all certainly gone the same way. The Womb was no thicker than when they are not with young, otherwise than we have said it to be in Women. In its Cavity we saw eleven Foetus sprawling, which were all so closely coupled together by the Membrane Chorion (wherein all are severally involved) as if they had all been included in one and the same Chorion—
Thus much I thought fit to translate of that ac∣curate Anatomists observations concerning the generation of this sort of Animal, because it
gives so very great light into the manner of the generation of a humane Foetus. For there is an exact analogy betwixt them, abating some cir∣cumstances; as First that in Women the Con∣ception is not formed in the Cornua, seeing her Womb has none, nor in the Tubae very seldom and according to Nature, for they are only the Infundibula or Oviducts to convey the Ova from the Testes to the Fundus uteri, though they bear some resemblance to the Cornua in Brutes; I say the Conception is not formed in these, but in the Fundus uteri or Womb properly so called, where∣into the Ovum being received presently begins to swell and grow bigger, and there appears as it were an Egg within an Egg, by means of the two Membranes with which it is cloathed; which Membranes are originally in the Ovum while it is in the Testicle, and imbibe the moisture that is sent now plentifully into the Womb, even as the little Yelks in Hens, &c. gather the white about them in the Oviduct and Ʋterus, which they have none of in the Ovarium; or as Seeds in the Ground do imbibe the fertile moisture thereof to enable them to sprout. Another considerable cir∣cumstance wherein they differ is the slow proce∣dure of the formation of the Foetus in Women in comparison of that in Conies now described. For seeing these go with young but 29 or 30 days, and Women nine months, we must imagine that the Embryo is as perfectly formed in the former on the tenth day as in the latter in the tenth week, or longer. But I say abating these or if there be any other such like circumstances, there is so great a likeness betwixt the one and other, that without insisting more on the matter or manner of the
Conception, we shall pass on to the description of the parts that encompass the Foetus, then shew how it is nourished, and lastly what parts there are in a Foetus that differ from those in a Child born.
IN dissecting the Womb of a Woman with Child the first thing that offers it self is the Placenta uterina or Womb-cake, otherwise called Hepar uterinum or Womb-liver, from the like∣ness of substance, and also use according to those that imposed the name.
Its substance is very like that of the Spleen,* 1.268 only that is more brittle and this more tenacious, so that it cannot so easily be separated from the Vessels. It is soft and has innumerable Fibres and small Vessels. Its Parenchyma is partly glandulous, by means of which Glands the separation of hu∣mour that is made in it, is performed.
It is of very different shapes in several Crea∣tures,* 1.269 but in Women it is circular, yet with some inequalities in its circumference. It is two fin∣gers breadth thick in its middle (but thinner near the edges) and a span or a quarter of a yard over from one side to the other when the Foetus is come to maturity ready for the birth. On that side next the Foetus it is smooth and something hollowish like Navel-wort, and is knit to the
Chorion; but on that next the Womb it is very unequal, having a great many tubercles or bun∣chings whereby it adheres fast and immediately to the Womb. But to what part of it, is not agreed among Anatomists, some affirming it to grow to the fore-part, some to the hinder-part; some to the left side, others to the right. Dr. Wharton (assenting to Fallopius) says, it always adheres to one of the two corners of the Womb (that answer in some manner to the Cornua in Brutes) whereinto the Foramen of the Tuba opens; so that he says the said Foramen is as it were the centre to the Placenta. De Graef thinks it is most commonly fasten'd there, but not always, because the Ovum for a while being loose in the Cavity of the Ʋterus, may be tumbled to this or the other part, and wherever it fixes, there is it join'd to the Womb by the Placenta.
When there is but one Foetus in the Womb it is but one,* 1.270 but if there be Twins, then according to Dr. Wharton, &c. are there two Placentae, ei∣ther distinct in shape, or if they appear in the shape of one, then are they separated by a Mem∣brane one from the other; and a particular rope of Umbilical vessels, is inserted into each from each Foetus.
It grows not out of the Womb originally,* 1.271 but its first rudiments appear like a woolly substance on the outside of the outer Membrane that invests the Embryo (called Chorion) about the eighth or ninth week, upon which in a short while a red, carnous and soft substance grows, but unequally and in little knobs, and then it presently thereby sticks to the Womb, and is very conspicuous a∣bout the twelfth or thirteenth week. Till now
the Foetus is encreased and nourished wholly by the apposition of the crystalline or albugineous liquor wherein it swims loose in the inner Membrane (called Amnios) having no Vasa umbilicalia for∣med, by which to receive any thing from the Placenta. But when it waxes bigger and begins to need more nourishment, the extremities of the Umbilical vessels begin to grow out of the Navel by little and little, and are extended towards this Placenta, that out of it, as Plants by their Roots out of the Earth, they may draw a more firm nutritive juice, and carry it to the Foetus. But of this more in the 33d Chapter.
It has Vessels from a double origine,* 1.272 some from the Womb, and some from the Chorion. The former are of four kinds, Arteries, Veins, Nerves and Lympheducts: all which though they be very large and conspicuous in the Womb, and are so even in that very place where the Placenta is join∣ed to it; yet they send but the smallest Capillaries into the Placenta it self (namely that half that is next the Womb.) Those that come from the Chorion are Arteries and Veins, and Dr. Wharton supposes also Lympheducts. The Arteries and veins that come from the Womb spring from the Hypoga••tricks, and also that branch of the Sper∣maticks that is inserted into the bottom of the Womb. Those that come from the Chorion are the Umbilical vessels of the Foetus. Of the use of both the one and other we shall speak in Chap. 33. when we come to discourse how the Foetus is nou∣rished, as also of the use of the Placenta it self, of which we shall only observe this further here, That after it is joined to the Womb, it sticks most firmly to it for the first months▪ as unripe
Fruit do to the Tree: But as the Foetus becomes bigger, and riper and nearer to the birth, by so much the more easily will it part from the Womb, and at length, like to ripe Fruit, after the Child is born, it falls out of the Womb and makes part of the After-birth.
It was an old tradition continued for many hundred years,* 1.273 that the Placenta adheres to the Womb by certain parts called Cotyledones or Ace∣tabula. That there are such in some Creatures it is certain; Dr. Needham says they are only pro∣perly so called in Sheep and Goats, in whom be∣ing with young the Uterine glands are hollow like a Saucer or an Acorn-cup, and are adapted to the little Prominences (or Digituli) of the Placentulae that grow on the Chorion; (though Diemerbroeck say, that on the contrary the Pla∣centulae are hollow (and so are truly the Acetabu∣la) and the Uterine glands protuberant) and doubts not but these names were first given by those that dissected these kind of Creatures, and were afterwards applied in following ages to o∣ther Animals. So that no wonder there have been so great contests even about the significati∣on of the word Cotyledon (which is the Greek word for the herb Ʋmbilicus Veneris or Navel∣wort) and what that was that was so called in the several Creatures that were said to have them. But because such Controversies are now obsolete, and that 'tis generally confessed that Women have them not, we shall not in this Epitome run out into needless Disputes; but only observe one sin∣gular opinion of Diemerbro••ck, who ascribes Co∣tyledones to Women. He thinks that each Wo∣man (unless she go with Twins) has but one
Cotyledon, and that the foresaid Placenta uterina is it. And indeed it must be confest that it re∣sembles much the shape of that from which the Cotyledones have their name; and therefore seeing he formed this opinion to defend our great Ma∣ster Hippocrates, who had ascribed them to Wo∣men, (that is, as Diemerbroeck expounds it, one Cotyledon to one Woman) we shall not oppose it, but confess it to be, if not true, yet both ingeni∣ous and ingenuous.
NEXT to the Placenta follow the two Mem∣branes that involve the whole Foetus, Cho∣rion the outer, and Amnios the inner: betwixt which two, after the Foetus is perfectly formed, Dr. Needham, &c. affirms there is a third, viz. Allantois, which in Women likewise includes the whole Foetus. Of each of these in their order, with the liquors they contain.
The outer Membrane is called Chorion,* 1.274 it is pretty thick, smooth on the inside, but without something unequal or rough, and in that part of it that adheres to the Placenta and by it to the Womb, has very many Vessels which spring from the Placenta it self and the Umbilical vessels. It is but one even when the Mother goes with Twins: for as in a Nut that has two Kernels in it, they are both included within the same Shell, but
are each invested in their proper Membrane; so Twins are both inclosed in one Chorion, but have each a particular Amnios. It invests the Ovum originally, which Ovum being brought into the Womb and becoming a Conception, this Mem∣brane imbibes the moisture that bedews the Womb plentifully at that time. For whiles the Conception is loose in the Womb, and has no Vessels that reach out of it self, nor is fasten'd to any part, it must have its increase after the same manner as the Egg has in Hens,
which while it is in the racemus or knot, attains no other sub∣stance but Yelk; and when it drops off from thence and descends through the Infundibulum, it receives no alteration; but when it comes into the Cells of the process of the Ʋterus, it begins to gather a White, although it stick to no part of the Ʋterus nor has any Umbilical Vessel; but (says my Author, the immortal * 1.275 Harvey) as the Eggs of Fishes and Frogs do without, procure to themselves Whites out of the water; or as Beans, Pease and other pulse, and Bread-corn being steep'd in moisture swell, and thence acquire aliment for the bud that is springing out of them: so in like manner out of the plicae or wrinkles of the Womb (as out of a Dug or Womb-cake) does there an albu∣gineous moisture slow, whence the Yelk (by that vegetative and innate heat, and faculty wherewith it is endued) gathers and concocts its White. And therefore in those Plicae and the hollow of the Womb does there plentifully a∣bound a liquor resembling the taste of the White. And thus the Yelk descending by little and little is encompassed with a White, till at last in the
outmost Ʋterus having assumed Membranes and a Shell,it is perfected] Thus I say does the Chorion imbibe that albugineous liquor that from the first Conception increases daily in it (and transudes through the Amnios wherein the Embryo swims) till the Umbilical vessels and the Placenta are formed, from and through which the Foetus may receive nourishment.
This liquor that it imbibes I take to be nutriti∣ous juice that ouzes out of the capillary orifices of the Hypogastrick and Spermatick arteries,* 1.276 and is of the same nature with that which afterwards is separated in the Placenta and carried to the Foetus by the Umbilical vein, and with that also which abounds in the Amnios even till the birth. For the plastick or vegetative virtue is only in the Ovum it self, and the augmentation that the first lineaments of the Embryo receive, is only by ap∣position of this nutritious albugineous juice. But this Membrane Chorion by that time the Umbili∣cal Vessels and Placenta are formed, is grown so dense and compact, that it is not capable of im∣bibing more; but that which at this time is in it, does in small time transude into the Amnios, and so it self becomes empty, and gives way to the encrease of the Allantois, (which thenceforward begins to appear) whose liquor augments daily as the Foetus grows nearer and nearer to the birth. This is my conjecture, which I submit to the cen∣sure of the learned.
The Amnios is the inmost Membrane that im∣mediately contains the Foetus.* 1.277 It is not knit to the Chorion in any place save where the Umbili∣cal vessels pass through them both into the Pla∣centa. It is very thin, soft, smooth and pellucid,
and encompasses the Foetus very loosly. It has Vessels from the same origines as the Chorion. It is something of an oval shape.
Before the Ovum be impregnated,* 1.278 this Mem∣brane contains a limpid liquor, which after the impregnation is that out of which the Embryo is formed. In it resides the plastick power and the matter also out of which the first lineaments of the Embryo are drawn. But because its liquor is so very little, there transudes through this Mem∣brane presently part of that nutritious albugine∣ous humour that is contained in the Chorion, which it had imbibed out of the Ʋterus, as was but even now shewn, and this Dr. Harvey calls Colliquamentum. And by the juxta-apposition or addition of this humour to the undiscernible ru∣diments of the Embryo, it receives its encrease. But though the Amnios have its additional nutri∣tious liquor at first only by transudation; yet when the Umbilical vessels and the Placenta are formed, it receives it after another manner. For then being separated from the Mothers Arteries by the Placenta and imbibed by the Umbilical veins of the Foetus, it passes directly to its heart, from whence being driven, a great part of it, down the Aorta, it is sent forth again by the Um∣bilical arteries, out of whose capillaries dispersed plentifully through the Amnios it issues into its Cavity, even as far more gross and viscid juices in taking a purge (or sometimes critically) ouze out of the small mouths of the Arteries that gape into the Intestins.
There are some that think they have observed Venae lacteae to come directly to the Placenta, and that out of it (as out of the Glands in the Me∣sentery)
there arise others that convey the Chyle into the Amnios: and this indeed were a plausible opinion, if it were grounded on any certain or frequent observation of such Lacteals, and were not rather invented to avoid some diffi∣culties with which the former opinion seems to be pressed.
A third Membrane which invests the whole Foetus (according to Dr. Needham,* 1.279 &c.) is that called Allantoides, though improperly as to Wo∣men. For it is so called from its likeness to a Pudding (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Farcimen) which indeed it does resemble in Sheep, Does, Hogs, &c. but in Women, as also in Mares, it has the same fi∣gure as the Chorion and Amnios, betwixt which it is placed in their whole circumference. Now though it must be supposed that this as well as the other two, is originally in the Ovum, yet there is no appearance of it till after the Umbili∣cal Vessels and Placenta are formed, and the albu∣gineous liquor (so often mentioned) ceases to be imbibed by the Chorion out of the Ʋterus. But assoon as the Foetus begins to be nourished by the Umbilical vessels, and the Ʋrachus is permeable, then presently this Membrane begins to shew it self, containing a very thin liquor, which is the Urine of the Foetus brought into it by the Ʋrachus from its Bladder, and with which it is filled daily more and more till the birth. It is very thin, smooth, soft and yet dense. It may be known from the Chorion and Amnios by this, that they have numerous Vessels dispersed through them, but this has not the least visible Vein or Artery. It is very hard to separate the Chorion from it, because when it appears, the Chorion becomes void
of all liquor, and so claps close to it. But to∣wards the birth of the Foetus it becomes so turgid with Urine, that the Amnios (immediately con∣taining the Foetus) swims in it, and so may most easily be distinguisht and separated from it.
The liquor that it contains is (as has been said) the Urine of the Foetus brought hither by the Ʋrachus.* 1.280 For assoon as the Foetus is perfectly formed, its Kidneys must needs perform their of∣fice of separating the Serum from the Bloud, for otherwise it would be affected with an Anasarca. I say the Serum is separated in the Kidneys and glides down from thence into the Bladder, in which it is found pretty plentifull when the Foetus is five or six months old. Now it flows not out of the Bladder by its orifice, because at that time the Sphincter is too contracted and narrow, and if it should pass that way, it would mix with that nutritious juice in which the Foetus swims in the Amnios, and wherewith, by taking it in by its Mouth, it is partly nourished, and so would de∣file and corrupt it, and make it unfit for nourish∣ment. Nature therefore has provided it another exit by the Ʋrachus, inserted into the bottom of the Bladder; which though after the Child is born it grow solid like a Ligament, like as the Vena umbilicalis does, yet while the Foetus is in the Womb it is always pervious, and conveys the U∣rine into the Allantoides that is placed betwixt the Chorion and Amnios, where it is collected and preserved till the birth.
HAving opened the Membranes that enwrap the Foetus,* 1.281 there appears the Navel-string or Rope, which is membranous, wreath'd and unequal, arising out of the middle of the Abdo∣men, (viz. the Navel) and reaching to the Womb-liver or Placenta, of a notable length, be∣ing three spans or half an Ell long, and as thick as ones finger. It was convenient to be so long and lax, that when the Foetus in the Womb grows strong, it might not break it by its sprawling and tumbling about; and after it is born, the Se∣cundines or After-birth might be drawn out the better by it.
The way that it passes from the Navel to the Placenta is very unconstant;* 1.282 for sometimes it goes up on the right hand to the Neck, which having encompassed, it descends to the Placenta, and sometimes it goes on the left hand up to the Neck, &c. Sometimes it comes not to the Neck at all, but goes first a little up towards its Breast, and then turns round its Back, and from thence passes to the Placenta.
The Vessels contained in this string (and which are enwrapped in a common Coat called Funiculus or Intestinulum) are four,* 1.283 one Vein, two Arteries and the Ʋrachus.
The Vein is larger than the Arteries,* 1.284 and ari∣ses
from the Liver of the Foetus, (viz. out of its fissure) at the trunk of the Vena porta (of which it seems to be but a branch) and from thence passing out of the Navel it runs along the Funicu∣lus to the Placenta, into which it is implanted by innumerable roots; but before it reaches it, it sends some little twigs into the Amnios.
The Ancients that thought the Foetus was nou∣rished by the Mothers Bloud only,* 1.285 taught the sole use of this Vein to be, to carry Bloud from the Placenta to it: and since it has been found out and believed that it is nourished also (if not only) by Chyle or Succus nutritius, some have continued the same office to this Vein, and think that the Chyle is brought by Lacteal vessels ari∣sing out of the Placenta, as (they say) it was brought thither by the Mothers Lacteals. And indeed if any certain discovery had been made of these same Lacteae, we should have embraced this opinion as the most probable. But we are not to form hypotheses out of rational notions only, but much rather from what appears to the Eyes of the Dissector. We do affirm therefore that the Umbilical vein serves for conveying to the Foetus the nutritious juice separated in the Placenta from the Mothers Arteries. How this separation is made, and how it is first of all turned into Bloud, we shall consider by and by.
But together with this juice there returns so much of the Arterial bloud (that comes from the Foetus) as is not spent upon the nourishment of the Placenta, or of the Chorion and Amnios.
Besides this Vein which is common to all Crea∣tures, there have been observed in Whelps (and may perhaps in others) two small Veins more
that pass directly from the Ʋmbilicus to the Me∣sentery, as the other great one does to the Liver; which may strengthen the opinion that the Chyle or Succus nutritius is brought to the Foetus by the Sanguinary vein (or Veins) from the Pla∣centa.
In the Funiculus are included also two Arteries,* 1.286 which are not both of them together so big as the Vein. They spring out of the inner Iliacal bran∣ches of the great Artery, and passing by the sides of the Bladder they rise up to the Navel, out of which they are conducted to the Placenta in the same common cover with the Vein and Ʋrachus, with which they are twined and wreathed not un∣like a Rope. I say they are inserted into the Placenta, and with the Vein make a most admira∣ble texture, and net-like Plexus. Dr. Harvey says, the Vein is conspicuous a pretty while be∣fore these Arteries appear.
Bloud and Vital spirit are not carried by them from the Mother to the Foetus,* 1.287 as many, from Galen, have taught; but on the contrary, Spiri∣tuous bloud is driven from the Foetus, by the beat∣ing of its Heart, to the Placenta and the Mem∣branes for their nourishment; from which what Bloud remains, circulates back again in the Um∣bilical vein together with the Succus nutritius a∣fresh imbibed by its capillaries dispersed in the Placenta. But besides Arterial bloud, there flows out of the Navel by them part of the Succus nutri∣tius that was imported by the Umbilical vein, namely that of it which is more crass and terrene, which by one circulation through the Heart (or it may be many) could not be changed into Bloud: this part I say flows out by these Arteries,
which by their branches that are dispersed through the Amnios disimbogue it by their little Mouths into it; for what use, shall be declared presently.
And here I shall transcribe a material objecti∣on with the answer to it,* 1.288 out of Diemerbroeck. Obj.
How can these Vessels (Vein and Arte∣ries) when they have grown from the belly of the Foetus to that length as to reach the Mem∣branes, penetrate and pass through them to the Placenta? Answ. This is done in the same manner as the roots of Herbs, Shurbs and Trees penetrate into the hard Ground, yea often into thick Planks, Walls and Stones, (which water cannot enter) and root themselves firmly in them. For just so the first sharp-pointed and most fine ends of the Umbilical vessels insinuate themselves by little and little into the pores of the Membranes (for the figuration of those pores are fitted for their entrance) and pass through them, and yet the liquors contained in these Membranes cannot flow out by them: and when those Vessels inhering in the pores grow more out into length, by little and little the said pores are more and more widened, (accor∣ding to the increase of the Vessels) and are in∣separably united unto and grow in them.
The fourth Umbilical vessel is the Ʋrachus or Urinary vessel,* 1.289 and it is a small, membranous, round Pipe, endued with a very strait Cavity, arising from the bottom of the Bladder up to the Navel, out of which it passes along within the common cover, and opens into the Allantoides. It is more apparently pervious in many of the larger Brutes than it is in Man, in whom some
have denied it any Cavity: but that it is hollow in him, is confirmed by many Histories of persons adult, who having the ordinary urinary passage along the Penis stopt, the passage in this Vessel has been unlocked, and they have made water by the Navel, which could not have been imagin'd to have happen'd, if it had been originally a Li∣gament without any Meatus. Bartholin and o∣thers have affirmed that the Ʋrachus in Men reaches no further than the Navel; How then comes that humour into the Allantois that has perfectly the same taste with the Urine in the Bladder? But their errour sprung from hence, that they thought an humane Foetus had no Allan∣tois, and that humour that is found in it, they thought had been contained in the Chorion. But this is in short refuted above, but more fully and accurately by Dr. Needham, lib. de formato Foetu, cap. 3. As to the perviousness of the Ʋrachus I shall add this further, that in abortions of five or six months old, the Bladder of the Embryo is al∣ways full of Urine, out of which if in the follow∣ing months it should not be emptied by the Ʋra∣chus, the Bladder would soon burst, seeing there is daily some Serum separated from the Bloud in the Kidneys, and sent to the Bladder; and the more the Foetus increases, the more must needs be separated.
Its use has been sufficiently declared in the pre∣ceding Paragraph;* 1.290 as also above, when we deli∣vered the use of the Allantoides, which we shall not repeat.
These four Vessels (as has been said above) have one common cover,* 1.291 which also keeps each
of them from touching other. It is called Intesti∣nulum, and Funiculus (by which it with its Ves∣sels is sometimes understood.) It is membranous, round and hollow, indifferent thick, consisting of a double coat, (the inner from the Peritonaeum, and the outer from the Panniculus carnosus.) Sometimes it self only is wreath'd about like a Rope, the Vessels included in it running streight along its Cavity; and sometimes they are wreath∣ed together with it.
It has several knots upon it here and there,* 1.292 which Dr. Wharton thinks to be Papillae or little Glands through which the lacteal (or nutritious juice) distils out of the capacity of the Funiculus into the Cavity of the Amnios. I cannot tell whether this be so or no, but that use that doting Midwives make of them, to guess by their number how many Children more the Mother shall have, and by their colour, whether those Children shall be Male or Female, is most ridiculous and super∣stitious.
When the Infant is born,* 1.293 this Navel-rope is used to be tied, about one or two fingers breadth from the Navel, with a strong thread cast about it several times, and then about two or three fingers breadth beyond the Ligature to be cut off. What is not cut off, is suffered to remain till it drop off of its own accord. Which the longer or shorter while it is a doing, the longer or shorter-liv'd, Women prophecy the Children to be.
There have been great disputes among both Philosophers and Physicians,* 1.294 with what and by what way the Foetus is nourished. Some affirm by Bloud only, and that received by the Umbili∣cal
vein; others by Chyle only, received in by the Mouth: each of which are in an extream. The truth is, according to the different degrees of perfection that an Ovum passes from a Concep∣tion to a Foetus ready for the birth, it is nourished diversly.
For first,* 1.295 assoon as an Ovum impregnated is de∣scended into the Womb, it presently imbibes through its outer Membrane some of that albugi∣neous liquor that at this time plentifully bedews the internal superficies of the Ʋterus; so that assoon as the first lineaments of an Embryo begin to be drawn out of that humour contained in the Amnios, they presently receive increase by the apposition of the said liquor filtrated out of the Chorion through the Amnios into its Cavity. And this same liquor that thus encreaseth the first ru∣diments of the Embryo is called by Dr. Harvey Colliquamentum (as was noted above.) That this way of nutrition or augmentation of the Embryo is possible, need not be doubted by him that considers, that the Foetus of a Sow have no other possible way of being nourished till she is near gone half with Pig;
for even till then, saith Dr. Needham, the Chorion cleaves not to the Womb, but look as many Foetus as there are, there are so many Eggs as it were without Shells, neither sticking to the Womb nor to one another; but when one opens the Matrix, they all tumble out of their own accord. There are no Glandules, no Placenta. But the Chorion which is soft and porous, does like a Spunge imbibe or suck up the serous liquor that sweats out of the inmost Membrane of the Ʋterus, to be afterwards swallowed by the Veins,(I sup∣pose
he means the mouths of the Umbilical vein, after the said Vein is so perfectly formed as to re∣ceive it.) But of this more in the beginning of the foregoing Chapter.
But when the parts of the Embryo begin to be a little more perfect,* 1.296 and the Chorion becomes so dense that not any more of the said liquor is im∣bibed by it, the Umbilical vessels begin to be for∣med, and to extend to the side of the Amnios, which they penetrate, and both the Vein and Ar∣teries pass also through the Allantois and Chorion, and are implanted into the Placenta, that at this time, first gathering upon the Chorion, joins it to the Ʋterus. And now the Hypogastrick and Spermatick arteries, that before spued out the nutritious juice into the Cavity of the Ʋterus, open by their orifices into the Placenta, where (whether by meer percolation through it, or by some sort of fermentation also, I will not deter∣mine, but) they deposite the said juice, which is absorbed by the Umbilical vein, and by it con∣veyed first to the Liver, then to the Heart of the Foetus, where the thinner and more spirituous part of it is turned into Bloud. But the more gross and terrene part of it descending by the Aorta enters the Umbilical arteries, and by those bran∣ches of them that run through the Amnios, is dis∣charged into its Cavity. They that will laugh at this passage of the nutritious juice, because it is made by this doctrine to choose its way as if it were some animal or even rational Creature, let them avoid the like treatment if they can while they deliver, that the Chyle passes immediately either from the Mesentery, the Receptaculum or Ductus communis to the Placenta, when a Foetus is
in the Womb. 'Pray how should the Chyle know, or the Lacteals by which it passes, that there is any Foetus in the Womb, that the one should offer to go that way, and the other give it way to go thither at that time, whereas the passage is shut at all other times? yet this my Opponents maintain. As also how comes the Chyle presently to turn its course after the Foetus is born, and instead of descending to the Ʋterus, ascend to the Breasts? What mechani∣cal cause can be assigned to these and many other the like Phaenomena? We must therefore be con∣tent to resolve some things into the admirable and unintelligible disposal of our wise Crea∣tour.
But there lies another objection against this opinion, Because it allows none of the Mothers Bloud to be received by the Foetus through the Umbilical vein, but only Succus nutritius; how should Bloud be first bred in the Foetus, seeing it has Bloud, before the Liver or Heart, or any o∣ther part that conduce to sanguification, are in a capacity to perform their office?
I confess it is inexplicable by me how Bloud should be made so soon; but that it may be and is made, out of the Succus nutritius or Colliqua∣mentum, without the mixture of any from the Mother, is apparent from the most accurate ob∣servations of Dr. Harvey concerning the order of the generation of the parts in a Chicken, (which from first to last receives nothing from the Hen.) Says he,* 1.297
there appears at the very first a red leaping Punctum or Speck, a beating Bladder, and Fibres drawn from thence containing Bloud in them. And as much as
one can discern by accurate inspection; bloud is made, before the leaping speck is formed; and the same is endowed with vital heat, before it is stirred by the Pulse: and as the pulsation be∣gins in the bloud and from it; so at length, at the point of death it ends in it.—And be∣cause the beating Bladder and the sanguineous Fibres that are produced from it, appear first of all; I should think it consentaneous to rea∣son that the bloud be before its receptacles; namely the content before its container; and that this is made for the sake of the other.He confesses it to be a paradox, that bloud should be made and moved, and endued with vital spirit before any sanguifying or motive organs are in being; and that the Body should be nourished and increased, before the organs appointed for con∣coction (namely the Stomach and Bowels) are formed: but neither of these are greater para∣doxes than that there should be sense and motion in the Foetus before the Brain is composed; and yet, says he,* 1.298
The Foetus moves, contracts and stretches out it self, when there is nothing con∣spicuous for a Brain but clear water.I say if all these unlikely things do certainly come to pass in an Egg, that has nothing to set the vegetative, or vital principle thereof on work, but the warmth of the Hen that sits upon it; why should we think it strange that nutritious juice impreg∣nated with the vital spirits of the Arterial bloud, with which it circulated through the Mothers Heart (it may be more than once) should be turned into bloud in an humane Foetus (fostered with such kindly warmth in the Womb) though it neither receive any humour under the form of
bloud from the Mother, nor have it self as yet any organs of sanguification so perfect as to perform their office? But to proceed.
The grosser nutritious juice being deposited by the Umbilical arteries in the Amnios,* 1.299 assoon as the Mouth, Gullet and Stomach, &c. are formed so perfectly that the Foetus can swallow, it sucks in some of the said juice, which descending into the Stomach and Intestins is received by the Venae lacteae, as in adult persons.
That the Foetus is nourished this way, Diemer∣broeck evinces by these reasons.
1. Because the Stomach of the Foetus is never empty, but is found possest of a milky whitish liquor; and such like is contained even in its Mouth.
2. Because there are Faeces contained in the Intestins, (which Philosophers call Meconium) which the Infant assoon as 'tis born voids by stool. Without doubt these are the excrements of some aliment taken in by the Mouth.
3. Because the Stomach could not presently after the birth perform the function of con∣coction, if it had not at all been accustomed to it in the Womb.
His fourth reason, supposing the Foetus to be nourished in part by the Mothers bloud, I shall not recite, because I think that to be an erroneous opinion, as I think to make appear by and by.
5. Because the Infant assoon as it is born knows how to suck the Breast, which it could not be supposed to be so dextrous at, if while it remained in the Womb it had taken nothing by suction.
6. Because many Infants assoon as they are
born, before they have sucked any Breast, or taken any thing by the Mouth, vomit up a milky aliment: which therefore must needs be received into their Stomach in the Womb.This he gives an instance of in one of his own Children.
These Arguments I think sufficient to prove what they are alledged for; but when ••he would afterwards prove that the Foetus is also nourished by the Mothers bloud conveyed by the Umbilical vein, I think his reasons are invalid. For he says it must be so, first, because the said Vein is implanted into the Placenta; (but this is but begging the question, for 'tis necessary it should be implanted into it though it receive no∣thing from it but nutritious juice.) Secondly, be∣cause of the great quantity of bloud that will issue out of the Umbilical vein, if one tie the Navel-rope and then open the said Vein betwixt the Li∣gature and Placenta: for he says there will flow out four times as much bloud as could be supposed to be contained in the small Arteries on that side the Ligature next the Placenta. I answer, that first one would be well satisfied that the Ligature was made so strait, that there could no bloud pass through it from the Foetus to the Placenta. And secondly it cannot exactly be guessed how much bloud may be contained in the Foetus's Arteries in the Placenta, so as that one should be certain that there does four times more flow out by the Vein. But lastly, suppose there do four times as much more bloud issue out of the Vein as is contained in the Foetus's Arteries that are on that side the Li∣gature next the Placenta, and this bloud come from the Dam's Hypogastrick and Spermatick
arteries; I say there will not only four times, but forty times as much issue therefrom, for all the bloud of the Dam might then be drawn out this way. Wherefore I think this experiment makes much more against his opinion than for it. His third reason is the necessity of it; because as the Foetus increases, it needs much aliment, and its weak Bowels can concoct but little, it must therefore have some purera liment, and which is already concocted (he means bloud) to nourish it, and by its commixture to help forward the changing the aliment received by the Mouth into bloud. Answ. This reason himself invalidates in the next Paragraph,* 1.300 where he confesses that the Foetus in the Womb is nourished in the same manner as the Chicken in an Egg, which receives increase first by the inner White (as he distin∣guishes) by way of apposition; secondly it re∣ceives nourishment in by the Mouth from the outer White, and at the same time its Umbilical vessels enter the Yelk (to draw nourishment from thence) which, he says indeed, resembles the Mothers bloud, but seeing it has not the least form of bloud, why would it not be more plau∣sibly said that it is instead of the Succus nutritius that the Foetus in viviparous Animals receives by the Navel-vein? And seeing these several li∣quors are turned, part of them, into bloud in a Chicken, without any of the Hens bloud to fer∣ment them (as he speaks;) why should not the same power be granted to the vegetative or ani∣mal soul of the Foetus in the Womb, without any assistance from the Mothers bloud? To which I shall add another Argument (out of Dr. Harvey) taken from Caesarean births, when living Infants
are cut out of the Mothers Womb, after she is dead. For if it had its life and heat from the Mothers bloud; surely it should die assoon as she at least, if not sooner: for when death approa∣ches, the subordinate parts do languish and grow cold before the principal; and therefore the Heart fails last of all. Wherefore the bloud of the Foetus would first lose its heat, and become unfit for its office if it were derived from the Mo∣thers Womb; seeing her Womb is destitute of all vital heat, before her Heart. But enough of this.
But some may object, If the Foetus be nourished by none of the Mothers bloud, why should her Menses be stopt all or most of the while she is with Child? To which I answer, that 'tis for the same reason that Nurses that give suck com∣monly want them also; for as in Nurses the chyle passes in a great proportion to the Breasts, whereby the bloud being defrauded of its due and wonted share does not encrease to that degree as to need to be lessened by the flowing of the Men∣ses; so in Women with Child, there is so great a quantity of the Succus nutritius (which is only chyle a little refined and impregnated with vital spirit) that passes to the Placenta by the Hypo∣gastrick and Spermatick arteries for the nourish∣ment of the Foetus, that unless the Mother be ve∣ry sanguine, her Menses intermit after the first or second month.
I shall conclude therefore, that the Foetus is nourished three several ways, but only by one humour: first by apposition of it whiles it is yet an imperfect, Embryo and has not the Umbilical vessels formed; but after these are perfected, it
then receives the same nutritious juice by the Um∣bilical vein, the more spirituous and thin part whereof it transmutes into bloud, and sends forth the grosser part by the Umbilical artery into the Amnios, which the Foetus sucks in at its Mouth, and undergoing a new concoction in its Stomach is received out of the Intestins by the Venae lacteae, as is done after the birth.
HAving delivered the history of the Foetus, we will only further shew in what parts a Foe∣tus in the Womb differs from an adult person. And this we cannot do more exactly than in the manner that Diemerbroeck has reckon'd them, whom therefore we shall here translate, with lit∣tle alteration.
This diversity, he saith, consists in the diffe∣rence of magnitude, figure, situation, number▪ use, colour, cavity, hardness, motion, excre∣ments and strength of the parts.
Now this diversity is conspicuous either in the whole Body, or in the several Ventricles, or in the Limbs.
There is considerable in the whole Body,
1. The littleness of all the parts.
2. The reddish colour of the whole.
3. The softness of the Bones; whereof many are as yet gristly and flexible, and that by so much the more, by how much the Foetus is further from maturity.
In the Head there are several differences. As
1. The Head in respect to the proportion of the rest of the Body is bigger, and the shape of the Face less neat.
2. The bones of the Skull are softer, and the Crown is not covered with bone, but onely with a Membrane.
3. The bone of the Forehead is divided, as also of the under Jaw: and the Os cuneiforme is divided into four.
4. The bone of the Occiput or hinder part of the Head is distinguisht into three, four or five bones.
5. The Brain is softer and more fluid, and the Nerves very soft.
6. The bones that serve the sense of Hearing are wonderfully hard and big.
7. The Teeth lie hid in the little holes of the Jaw-bone.
There is no less diversity in the Thorax•• For,
1. The Dugs swell, and out of them in Infants new born whether Male or Female, a serous Milk issues forth sometimes of its own accord, some∣times with a light pressure: yet there are no Glandules very conspicuous, but there is some fashion of a Nipple.
2. The Vert••brae of the Back want their spinous processes, and are each one made of three distinct
Bones, whose mutual concourse form that hole whereby the spinal marrow descends.
3. The Heart is remarkably big, and its Auri∣culae large.
4. There are two unions of the greater Vessels, that are not conspicuous in adult persons: viz. 1. The Foramen ovale, by which there is a pas∣sage open out of the Cava into the Vena pulmonaris just as each of them are opening the first into the right Ventricle, and the latter into the left Ven∣tricle of the Heart. And this Foramen just as it opens into the Vena pulmonaris has a Valve that hinders any thing from returning out of the said Vein into the Foramen. 2. The Canalis arterio∣sus, which two fingers breadth from the basis of the Heart joins the Arteria pulmonaris to the Aorta. It has a pretty large Cavity, and ascends a little obliquely from the said Artery to the Aorta, into which it conveys the bloud that was driven into the pulmonary Artery out of the right Ventricle of the Heart, so that it never comes in the left Ventricle; even as that bloud that is sent out of the left Ventricle into the Aorta never came in the right, (except a little that is returned from the nutrition of the Lungs) but passed immedi∣ately into it out of the Vena cava by the Foramen ovale. So that the bloud passes not through both the Ventricles as it does after the Foetus is born, for then it must have had its course through the Lungs, which it cannot have, because they are now very dense and lie idle and unmoved. Yea they are so dense and heavy that if one throw them into water they will sink, whereas if the Foetus be but born and take only half a dozen breaths, they become so spongy and light that
they will swim. Which (by the way) may be of good use to discover whether those Infants that are killed by Whores, and which they com∣monly affirm were still-born, were really so or no. For if they were still-born the Lungs will sink, but if alive, (so as to breath never so little a while) they will swim.
5. The Gland Thymus is notably large, and consists as it were of three Glands.
In the lower Belly there are these differences.
1. The Umbilical vessels go out of the Ab∣domen.
2. The Stomach is narrower, yet not empty, but pretty full of a whitish liquor.
3. The Caul is hardly discernible, being al∣most like a Spiders web.
4. The Guts are seven times longer (or more) than the Body.
5. In the small Guts the excrements are pi∣tuitous and yellow, but in the thick somewhat hard and blackish, sometimes greenish: the Cae∣cum is larger than usual, and often filled with Fae••es.
6. The Liver is very large, filling not only the right Hypochondre, but extends it self into the left side, and covers all the upper part of the Stomach. It has a passage now more than in the a∣dult called Canalis venosus, which arising out of the Sinus of the Por••a carries the greatest part of what is brought by the Umbilical vein directly and in a full stream into the Cava above the Liver; but as∣soon as the Infant is born, and nothing comes any longer by the said Vein, this Canalis presently clo∣ses, as the Vein it self turns to a Ligament; as also do the Ʋrachus and the two Umbilical arteries.
7. The Spleen is small.
8. The Gall-bladder is full of yellow or green choler.
9. The Sweet-bread is very large and white.
10. The Kidneys are bigger and unequal in their superficies, and look as if they were com∣pounded of a collection of very many Glan∣dules.
11. The Renes succenturiati are exceeding large; they do not only border upon the Kid∣neys, as in the adult, but lie upon them, and embrace their upper part with a large Sinus as it were.
12. The Ureters are wide, and the Bladder distended with Urine.
13. In Females the Ʋterus is depressed, the Tubae long, and the Testes very large.
The difference in the Limbs consists
1. In the tenderness and softness of the Bones.
2. The little bones of the Wrist and Instep are gristly and not firmly joyned together.
THE Foetus swimming in the liquor of the Amnios, and the Navel-rope being so long, it must needs have scope enough to change its si∣tuation, and that is the reason that Anatomists differ so much about it. But according to Doc∣tor Harvey its usual posture is thus.
Its Knees are drawn up to the Belly,* 1.301 its Legs bending backwards, its Feet across, and its hands lifted up to its Head, one of which it holds to the Temple or Ear, the other to the Cheek; where there are white spots on the Skin as if it had been rubb'd upon. The Back∣bone turns round, the Head hanging down towards its Knees. Its Head is upwards and its Face commonly towards the Mothers Back.]
But towards the birth (sometimes a week or two before) it alters its situation,* 1.302 and tumbles down with its Head to the neck of the Womb, with its Feet upwards. Then the Womb also settles downwards and its orifice relaxes and o∣pens. And the Foetus being now ill at ease sprawls and moves it self this way and that way, whereby it tears the Membranes wherein it is included, so that the Waters (as they call them) flow into the Vagina, which they make slippery for the ea∣sier egress of the Infant: though sometimes the Membranes burst not but come forth whole, (as
they do commonly in Brutes.) At the same time the neighbouring parts are loosened and become fit for distension: the joyntings of the Os sacrum and Pecten with the Coxendix, as also of the Ossa pubis are so relaxed, that they yield very much to the passage of the Foetus. And its motion gives that disturbance to the Ʋterus, that presently the animal spirits are sent plentifully by the Nerves to its constrictory Fibres, and the Muscles of the Abdomen, which all contracting together, very strongly expell the Foetus, which (in the most natural birth) goes with the Head foremost: and if the Feet or any other part (besides the Head) do offer it self first, the travail is always more painfull and dangerous.
The several sorts of Creatures have sundry terms of going with young:* 1.303 The stated and most usual time of Women is nine months; though some bring forth some weeks sooner and others later. But when it is given out that perfect and sprightly Infants are born at seven months end; it is either to hide the faults of some new-married Woman, or from the mistake of the ignorant Mother. As also when sometimes the Mother has affirmed her self to go eleven months or up∣wards, it is either through mistake, or to keep fast some fair Estate, when the pretended Father's dead without an Heir, for which the cunning Widow plays an after-game.
Divers reasons are given why the Foetus at the stated time of birth is impatient of staying any longer in the Womb.* 1.304 As the narrowness of the place, the corruption of its aliment or the defect of it, the too great redundance of excrements in the Foetus, and the necessity of ventilation or
breathing. All these are plausibly defended by their several Authors. But without blaming in∣genious Men for exercising their wits on such a Subject, we choose however rather to be content with resolving all into the wise disposal of the great Creatour, whose power and wisedom were not more eminent in creating Man at first out of the Dust of the Earth, than out of those princi∣ples and in that method whereby he is produced in ordinary generation.
Tab. VIII. p. 206. Fig 1. Fig 2.
The descri∣ption of A∣natomy.
The Regi∣ons of the whole.
What the whole and a part signifie.
Things re∣quired in a part being strictly ta∣ken.
The diffe∣rences of the parts.
What a si∣milar part is.
The num∣ber of sim∣ple parts.
Of a ten∣don.
The diffe∣rences of simple parts.
What a dis∣similar part is.
Things to be observed in an orga∣nical part.
The degrees of an orga∣nical part.
The diffe∣rences of parts ta∣ken from their end.
The cir∣cumscripti∣on of the Abdomen.
The regions of it.
1. Cuticu∣la, or skarf-skin.
Its uses.
2. The true skin.
Its colour.
Its action.
Its uses.
3. Fat.
Its uses.
4 Mem∣brana car∣nosa.
Its uses.
Of the parts con∣tained in the lower belly.
The caul.
Its sub∣stance.
Its con∣nexion or origine.
Its vessels.
1. Arteries.
2. Veins.
3. Nerves.
4. Vasa adiposa.
5. Venae lacteae.
Its glands.
Its fat.
Its uses.
An obser∣vation.
Another.
Its origine & descent.
The names of it.
Its struc∣ture.
Vessels.
Glandules.
The use of it.
Its deno∣mination.
Number.
Situation.
Connexion.
Substance.
Orifices.
Its veins.
Its arte∣ries.
Its nerves.
The causes of hunger.
Its action.
Chylus.
Its figure.
Their name.
Figure.
Connexion.
Substance.
Their length.
Coats.
Veins.
Arteries.
The nerves.
The divisi∣on of the Guts.
The thin.
1. Duode∣num.
2. Jeju∣num.
••. Ileum.
The thick Guts.
1. Cacum.
2. Colon.
Its valve.
3. Rectum.
Its denomi∣nation.
Substance.
Parts.
Veins.
Arteries.
Nerves.
Lymphe∣ducts.
Glandules.
Fat.
Division.
Diseases.
Their name.
Rise.
Recepta∣culum chyli.
Ductus chyliferu•• thoraci∣cus.
The diffe∣rence be∣tween the Venae lac∣teae and the ordina∣ry mesara∣ical Veins.
Their Valves.
Why the Ancients did not find these out.
Its situati∣on.
Lobes.
Ligaments.
Its Mem∣brane.
Substance.
Veins.
Arteries.
Nerves.
Lymphe∣ducts.
The bilary Vessels.
Whether the Liver sanguifie.
The action of the Li∣ver.
Its name.
Origine.
Branchings in the Li∣ver.
Its bran∣ches with∣out the Li∣ver.
Vena sple∣••ica.
Vena me∣senterica.
Its use.
Its name.
Its rise.
Its desce••∣ding tru••k.
Its use.
Its name, and descri∣ption.
Its bigness.
Its c••n∣nexion.
Its mem∣branes.
The fibres of the pro∣per mem∣brane.
The parts of it.
How the choler is brought in∣to it.
Its valves.
Its vessels.
Of the stones in it.
Porus bi∣larius.
Their use.
Its sub∣stance.
Situation.
Figure.
Bigness.
Vessels.
Office.
Its sub∣stance.
Number.
Mem∣brane.
Colour.
Bigness.
Figure.
Situation.
Connexion.
Vessels.
1. Veins.
2. Arteries.
3. Nerves.
4. Vasa Lymphati∣ca.
Ʋse.
Their de∣nominati∣on.
Number.
Places.
Figure.
Connexion.
Bigness.
Mem∣branes.
1. Common.
2. Proper.
Substance.
Emul∣gents.
1. Arteries.
2. Veins.
The Pelvis.
Their acti∣on.
Glandulae renales.
Their Si∣tuation.
Figure and Substance.
Magni∣tude.
Membrane.
Cavity.
Vessels.
Ʋse.
Their origine.
Number.
Substance.
Coats and Vessels.
Why the in∣sertion is oblique.
Ʋse.
Its name.
Seat.
Mem∣branes.
Fibres.
Crust.
Perforati∣on.
Parts.
Figure.
Cavity.
Vessels.
Ʋse.
Observati∣ons.
The parts of the geni∣tals in man.
Vasa prae∣parantia.
Arteries.
Veins.
Their name
Substance.
Number, Situation, Figure and magnitude.
Vessels.
Coats.
Muscles.
Epididy∣midae.
Ʋse.
Vasa de∣ferentia.
Vesiculae seminales.
••rostatae.
Their use.
Perinae∣um.
Why these parts in men are hairy.
Its name.
Descripti∣on.
Magni∣tude.
Parts.
Why it hath no fat.
The ner∣vous bo∣dies.
The Ure∣thra.
Muscles.
Glans.
Praeputi∣um.
Fraenum.
The Ves∣sels.
Veins and Arteries.
Nerves.
Ʋse.
Sperma∣tick arte∣ries.
Veins.
Their use.
Their Si∣tuation.
Figure.
Greatness.
Tunicle.
Substance.
Tubae Fal∣lopianae.
Their sub∣stance.
Width.
Length.
Ʋse.
Its name▪
Situation▪
Connexion.
Ligaments.
Substance.
Mem∣branes.
Bigness.
Figure.
Cavity.
Arteries.
Veins.
Nerves.
Lymphe∣ducts.
Ʋse.
The neck of the Womb.
I••s nam••.
Descripti∣on.
Hymen.
Caruncu∣lae myrti∣formes.
Fissura.
Mons ve∣neris.
Nymphae.
Their sub∣stance.
Ʋse.
Clitoris.
Its sub∣stance.
Glans.
Muscles.
Vessels.
Its sub∣stance.
Shape and situation.
Number.
Origine.
Vessels.
Acetabu∣la.
Chorion.
De gene∣rat. Ani∣mal. Exer∣cit. 9. de generat. Ovi.
Its liquor.
Amnios.
Its liquor.
Allantoi∣des.
Its liquor.
The navel-string.
Its situati∣on.
Vessels.
Vein.
Its use.
Arteries.
Their use.
How the vessels pass through the mem∣branes.
Urachus.
Its use.
Funicu∣lus.
Its knots.
How to tie the navel-string and cut it off.
Of the nu∣trition of the Foetus.
First, by apposition.
2. By the umbilical vein.
De ge∣nerat. A∣nimal. ex∣ercit. 51.
Exercit. 57.
3. By the Mouth.
Anat. corp. hum. p. 367.
The posture of the Foe∣tus in the Womb.
At its birth.
The term of going with child.
The reason of the birth.