Anatomical exercitations concerning the generation of living creatures to which are added particular discourses of births and of conceptions, &c. / by William Harvey ...

Of the Order of Generation, and first, of the first Genital Particle. (Book 51)

EXER. LI. (Book 51)

WHat that is which is produced in the Female immediately upon coition, or doth remain in her, which we hitherto do comprise under the name of contagion, by which, as by Infection, the female is rendered fruitfull by the male, and after∣wards doth generate a foetus of her own accord, shall be said in its place, where we shall make a stricter disquisition and examination of that mat∣ter. In the mean time, we shall signifie to you, all such things as do openly display themselves in the order of the production of the parts, and are worth the Observation.

And first of all, because it is plain that the chic∣ken is built by Epigenesis, or the additament of parts budding one out of another, we will disco∣ver what part is first founded before all its compa∣ny, and what is observable concerning it, and the manner of its generation.

That which Aristotle affirms concerning the ge∣neration * 1.1 of perfect animals, is an undoubted truth, and most apparent in an egge; namely, that all the parts are not framed together, but one after ano∣ther in order; & that the first in being is that geni∣tal

particle; by virtue of which afterwards (as from their original) all the rest of the parts do a∣rise. As we see in the seeds of Plants (as Beans and Acorns) a budding, or protuberant point, which is the foundation of the future Tree.

And this particle is like a Son set free, and dwelling * 1.2 in a mannour of his own, and a principle subsisting of himself; whence afterwards the order of the parts is delineated, and all things ordered and regulated which conduce to the complement of the Animal. For since, no part is its own parent, but when it is once begotten, doth provide for it self: therefore that part must of necessity be first made, which doth contain the principle of encrease (for be they Plants or Animals, they have all that in them which contains a power of vegetation and sustaining;) and distinguisheth also and form∣eth * 1.3 all the other parts in their due order and rank: therefore the Soul is primarily in that primo∣genit particle; which Soul is the fountain and au∣thor of Sense, Motion, and Life of the whole. That therefore is the principal particle, from which the vital spirit, and native heat do descend into all the rest; in which the Physitians calidum Innatum sive implantatum, innate or implanted warm substance, doth first display it self; and the domestick hous∣hold-God or lasting fire inhabits; from whence Life floweth into the Body in general, and each particu∣lar part; from whence Nutrition, Ayde, Growth, and Comfort derive their streames: Lastly, where Life first ariseth to the born, and setts to the dying creature.

These indeed are all true of the first genital part, and do evidently appear in the generation of the chicken; and therefore, as I conceive, being mo∣ved thereunto by sundry Observations, the opinion of some Physitians, whose Philosophy is ill founded,

is to be rejected (whereby they decree that the three principal and eldest parts, the Brain, the Heart, and the Liver, do together spring out of the small bladders or bubbles) so neither can I assent to A∣ristotle himself, who concludes that the Heart is this first genital and animate particle. For the truth is, I am perswaded that this Prerogative is onely due to the Blood: for the blood is it which is first seen in Generation. And that not onely in an Egg, but in every Foetus, and animal conception whatso∣ever: As shall plainly appear anon.

There appears, I say, from the beginning, Pun∣ctum Rubrum saliens, Vesicula pulsans, Fibraeque inde deductae, the Red capering Point, the Panting Ve∣sicle, and the Fibers deduced thence, which con∣tain blood. And so farre as I could possibly dis∣cern by accurate Inspection, the Blood is formed before the Punctum saliens, and is endowed with vital heat, before it moves by pulse; and in it, and from it doth the pulsation begin. For I have found it true by sundry experiments both in an egge, and elsewhere, that the blood is it, in which (so long as the vital heat is not quite extinct) resideth the pos∣sibility of reviving.

And since the Vesicula pulsans, and the Fibres containing blood which are derived from it, are seen before any other parts; I conceive it conso∣nant to reason, that the blood is made before his re∣ceptacles; that is to say, the thing contained, be∣fore the thing containing; for the latter is made to be serviceable to the former. And therefore it is most probable, That the Veines, and Fibres, and then the Vesicle, and after it the Heart, as being Instruments destined to receive and house the blood, are erected for the transmission, and distribution of it, and that the blood is the primary particle of the body.

And this is manifest by many Observations; but chiefly, in that some living creatures (and such too as have blood) live a good while without any pulse at all; and some become like Anchorites all the Winter long, and yet survive, though their Hearts within them do respite all their motions, and their Lungs make Holy-day, and forbear respi∣ration; like those persons, who in a Syncope, Lipo∣thymia, or Hysterical passions, lie half-dead without the motion of the Pulse.

Being therefore ascertained out of those things which I have observed in an Egge, and the dissection of Animals while they were alive, I conclude (a∣gainst Aristotle) that the blood is the first Genital particle, and that the Heart is its Instrument de∣signed for its Circulation. For the Hearts business or function is the propulsation or driving forth of the blood, as appeares in all Animals that have blood: and the office of the Vesicula pulsans is the very same, (in the generation of the Chicken) which I have shewed to many persons, in the first conce∣ptions of Animals, (as well as in an Egge) when it hath been less then a Spark, panting, and in its motion, drawing it self together, and so squeez∣ing out the blood contained in it, and by relaxing it self again, receiving and entertaining blood a∣fresh.

And hence the prerogative and antiquity of the blood appeares, seeing that the Pulse proceedeth from it. For there being two parts of Pulsation; (Distention, and Contraction, or Systole, and Diasto∣le) and the first of these motions is Distention, it is manifest that that action proceeds from the blood; but the Contraction is made by the Vesicula pulsans in an Egge, (as by the Heart in a Chicken) by its proper fibres; as by an Organ destined to that use.

And it is also certain, that the said Vesicula, as also the Auricula cordis, the deaf-eare of the Heart, af∣terwards (from whom the Pulsation first begins) are incited to the constrictive motion, by the blood distending them. The Diastole, or Dilatation, is made by the blood boyling or swelling by the spi∣rits within it: And so Aristotles Opinion concern∣ing the pulsation of the Heart, (namely, that it is made by a kinde of Ebullition) is in some sort true. For as in Milk set upon the fire, and in Beere, we see dayly a Fermentation, working, or Intume∣scence; so is it in the pulse of the Heart, in which the blood, as by a kinde of fermentation working up, is distended, and then ebbs, or falls down a∣gaine: and that which befalls them per accidens, from an external agent (namely, an adventitious heat) that is accomplished in the blood, by its own internal heat, or innate spirit; and is also regulated by the soul in a natural way, and for the preserva∣tion of living creatures.

The Pulse therefore is performed by a twofold Agent; namely, the Distention or Dilatation pro∣ceeds from the Blood; and the Constriction, from the membrane of the vesicula in the Egge; (but in the Foetus when it is born, from the Deaf-eares, and Ventricles of the Heart) and by the mutual perfor∣mance of this alternate and interchanging motion, the blood is driven round the whole body, and so our lives continued.

Nor is the Blood therefore onely to be called the Primigenial and principal part, because that in, and from it the fountain of motion and pulsation is derived; but also, because the Animal heat, or vital spirit is first radicated and implanted, and the soul takes up her first mansion in it. For whereso∣ever the immediate and principal Instrument of the

vegetative faculty is first found, there in probabi∣lity the soul first resides, and takes her Beginning; as being inseparable from the spirit, and the cali∣dum innatum.

For however in Artificial Operations (as Fabri∣cius rightly admonisheth) the Artificer and the In∣struments * 1.4 are separated; yet in the works of Nature they are conjoyned, and one and the same: so the Sto∣mack is both the Author, and the Instrument of chylifi∣cation. So in like manner, the Soul with the Spi∣rit (her Instrument) is immediately conjoyned: and therefore be it in what part it will, that heat and motion first begin, there also the Life doth first arise, and last expire; and out of question, the most intimate domestick Deities, and Soul it selfe, are there enshrined.

Life therefore consists in the blood, (as we read in Holy Scripture) because in it the Life and Soule * 1.5 do first dawn, and last set. For I have experimen∣ted in the dissection of many live Animals, that when the body was now a dying, and breathing done, the Heart continued its pulse a while, and kept up life in it. And when the Heart hath now gi∣ven over, you shall discern a motion yet surviving in the Auriculae, or Deaf-eares; and though the o∣ther faile, yet the Right will still be stirring; and when that submits to Fate too, yet you shall per∣ceive a kinde of undulation, or waving to and fro, and obscure trepidation, or palpitation in the cham∣pion-blood, proclaiming that he gave the last blow. And any man may plainly see, that the blood re∣taines heat, (that deriver of Life and Palsation) when all the other parts are chilled, and cold: which heat when it is quite extinct, as the blood is then no longer sanguis, sed cruor, Blood, but Gore; so now no longer hope of returning back to lise.

But, both in an Egge, and in gasping Animals, af∣ter all pulsation is expunged, if you apply a gen∣tle warmth either to the Punctum saliens, or the right Auricle of the Heart, you shall presently see the motion, pulsation, and life set on foot again by the Blood; except he have quite fore-gone all his innate heat, and vital spirit.

By all which it is most evident, that the blood is the Genital Part, the fountain of Life, Primum vivens, & ultimum moriens, the First-born, and the Longest Liver, and the chief Palace and Court of the soul: in which (as in its Spring-head) the heat doth first and chiefly flow, and flourish: and from which all the other parts of the Body de∣rive their life and influent warmth. For that heat streaming with the blood, doth sprinckle, che∣rish, and preserve the whole: as we have hereto∣fore demonstrated in our Booke, de Motu sangui∣nis.

And therefore Blood is found in every particle of the Body, nor can you find footing for the point of a needle, or the edge of your naile, where you shall not immediately start the blood: as if, were it not for the blood, the body would enjoy no heat, nor life. Therefore the blood being never so lit∣tle concentrated and fixt, (Hippocrates calls it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) as it is in Swouning, frights, extream cold weather, and the approach of the Paroxysme or fit of an Ague, you shall presently behold, the whole body freeze, and grow stiff, and languish in a pale and livid complexion: but the blood being summoned back, by applied Fomen∣tations, exercise, or affections of the Mind, (as Joy, or Anger) how nimbly do all parts recover their Heat, Floridnesse, Vigour and Beauty.

And hereupon the ruddy sanguine parts alone,

are called the Hot parts, as the Flesh; but the white and bloodless parts, as the Nerves and Liga∣ments, the Cold. And as Sanguineous Animals exceed the bloodless; so even in the parts, those that are more liberally indowed with Blood, are counted the Eminent parts. And the Liver, Spleen, Reins, Lungs, and Heart it self (if you strain all the blood out of them, for whose sake they are chiefly called Viscera) they presently grow pale, and wan, and are to be registered amongst the col∣der parts.

The Heart himselfe, I say, doth by the Coronary Arteries receive the Blood, its influent heat and life, both which it enjoyes upon no other account, then the meer bounty of the Blood. Nor can the Liver proceed in its publick office, without the in∣fluence of blood and heat from the Coeliacal Artery. For there is no where any affluence of heat, with∣out an Influence or influx of blood by the Arteries. And therefore in the first Confirmation of all the parts, before they put themselves into publick un∣dertakings, they are to be discovered pale, and blood-lesse: hereupon the old Physitians and Ana∣tomists supposed them to be spermatical parts, and this speech was wont to obtain amongst them, that in Generation, Aliquot in Lacte dies absumun∣tur, some daies are spent in the Milk, that is about the Constitution of the white; Spermatical parts. The very substance of the Liver it self, the Lungs, and the Heart, at their first appearance are excee∣ding white. Nay the Cone of the Heart, and the walls or sides of its Ventricles, are even then white, when the Auriculae are full, and dyed with Scarlet-blood, and the Coronary Vein looks ruddy. So likewise the Parenchyma of the Liver is it selfe white, when the branches and propagations of its

Veins are blushing with blood: nor doth it execute its publick office, untill it be throughly drenched with blood.

And lastly, the blood doth so surround, and peirce into the whole body, and impart heat and life to all its parts, that the soul may justly be coun∣ted resident in it, and for his sake, Tota in tota & tota in qualibet parte, to be all in all, and all in e∣very part, (as the old saying is.)

But it is so far from truth (which yet Aristotle and all Physitians affirm) that the Liver, or Heart is the Author of the Blood: that the contrary, out of the fabrick of the chicken in the egge, is most ma∣nifest: namely, the Blood rather is the Author of the Heart, and Liver. And this also Physitians be∣fore they are aware seem to acknowledge, while they conclude that the Parenchyma of the Liver is a certain affusion, or conflux of Blood: as if it were nothing else but blood congealed. Now it must have a being before it can be affused, or coagula∣ted: and that it is so, experience her self openly displayes; for blood appears in the egg, before there be any track or Rudiment of any such thing as the Body, or any of the Viscera. And yet no blood can come thither from the Mother to the Fa∣tus, (as people commonly phansie in Viviparous productions.)

The Liver of Fishes is alwaies whitish, though their Veins are purpled, and dark. And our Hens the better they are crammed, so much the more do their Livers impair, and grow pallid. Green∣sickness Virgins that are Cachectical, as the habit of their bodies is pale, so is their Liver: an evident signe of the penury and dearth of Blood. There∣fore the Liver borrows his heat and complexion from the blood, and not the blood from him.

Hence it is plaine, that blood is the prime geni∣tal Part, whence the soul primarily results, and out of which the primary animate part of the Foe∣tus, which is the fountain of all the rest, both si∣milar, and dissimilar is derived, which by that means attain their Vital heat, and become subser∣vient to it: And the Heart is erected for this end and purpose onely, that it may by continual pul∣sation (to which the Veins and Arteries are mini∣sterial and subservient) entertain this blood, and spout it out again up and down through the whole body.

All which is the clearer discovered by this, that the Heart hath not a pulsation in all Animals, nor yet at all times; when yet the blood, or some∣thing proportionable to blood is never wanting in any.

Notes

• * 1.1

  de gen. an. l. 2. c. 1.
• * 1.2

  Ibid. c. 1.
• * 1.3

  Ib. c. 4.
• * 1.4

  pag. 28.
• * 1.5

  Levit. 17. 11. & 14.