CHAP. VII. Of the common Coat of the Muscles.
* 1.1NExt under the Fat, appears a certain coat, spred over all the Muscles, and called the common coat of the Muscles; it is of a nervous substance, as all other membranes are. The quantity and breadth thereof is bounded by the quantity of the Muscles which it involves, and fits it self to, as that, which encompasses the Muscles of the Epigastrium, is of equal largeness with the same Muscles. The figure of it is round: it is composed of veins, nerves, arte∣ries,* 1.2 and its peculiar flesh consisting of three sorts of fibers; the beginning of it is from the Peri∣ostium, in that part where the bones give ligaments to the Muscles; or, according to the opinion of others, of the nervous and ligamentous fibers of the Muscles, which rising up, and diffused over the fleshy superficies thereof,* 1.3 are united for the generation of this coat. But this membrane arising from the Periostium (as every membrane which is below the head, takes its original from the Periostium either primarily, by the interposition of no Medium, or secondarily) is stretched over the Muscles by their Tendons. But if any object, that this membrane, pluck'd from the bel∣ly of the Muscle, may seem to end in a ligament; I will answer, that it is the condition of every nervous part, so to binde or fasten it self to another part of his own kind as to a stay, so that it can scarce be pluck'd from thence.* 1.4 We see the proof hereof in the Peritonaeum or Rim in the Epi∣gastrium, or lower part of the lower belly. That which covers the Muscles of the Epigastrium, is but one, unless you had rather part it into two the right and the left distinguished by the interpo∣sition of Linea Alba,* 1.5 or White-Line. It is situate betwixt the Fat and Muscles; for it is fastened above and below to these parts with fibers, which in smalness & fineness exceed the Spider's web. But by its vessels, it participates with the three principal parts, and is of a cold and dry temper. The use of it,* 1.6 is, to contain the Muscles in their natural union, and to keep them as much as in it lies, from putrefaction, which may happen to them from pus or matter, which is often cast forth of the similar parts into the empty spaces and distances of the Muscles. Wherefore going about to se∣parate the Fat of the Epigastrium (where you must begin the dissection of mans body) you must have a care that you hurt it not with your knife, but that, before you touch the Muscles, see you artificially take it away,* 1.7 that you may the more easily separate the Muscles, lying under it, distin∣guished by a manifest space at the White-Line, which is made by the meeting together of the proper coats of all those Muscles.