The workes of that famous chirurgion Ambrose Parey translated out of Latin and compared with the French. by Tho: Johnson. Whereunto are added three tractates our of Adrianus Spigelius of the veines, arteries, & nerves, with large figures. Also a table of the bookes and chapters.

CHAP. VI. Of the Pleura, or coat investing the Ribs.

THe Tunica Subcostalis, or coat investing the Ribs, being the last of the containing parts of the Chest, is a large and a broad membrane answerable in proportion of use and action to the Peritonaeum of the lower Belly. For as the Peritonaeum generally and particularly co∣vers all the natural parts, binding and holding them in their places, so this coat invests all the vi∣tal parts in general, because it is stretched over all the inside of the Chest, but in particular whilst it gives each a coat from it self.

It hath its original from the Periosteum (or, as others will have it, from the Pericranium) in∣vesting

the Vertebra's of the Chest at the roots of the ribs. Wherefore it sticks very fast to the ribs, scarce to be separated, as also to all the parts bounding the Chest, and contained in it.

Vesalius reprehends Galen, because he said, that this was double on both sides; yet Columbus defends Galen, and verily it is seen to be double in the inner part of the Chest, under the ribs and the muscles of the ribs, that in that space there may be way for the Veins, Arteries, and Nerves.

Some have made it twofold, and divided it into the internal and external; as those which have made two sorts of Pleurisies, the true and bastard; placing the external above the Ribs and inter∣costal muscles; but the internal under the ribs, muscles, Diaphragma, and Sternon.

But we to shun ambiguity, intend only to prosecute those things which are manifest to the eys; wherefore we say, that the ribs are lined on the inside with a double coat; One which immediately and firmly sticks to them on every side called the Periosteum, which is common to them and other Bones. The other which lies upon that Periosteum, and on the inside invests all the Ribs, whence is it called the Subcostalis tunica. The substance, temper, and composure, are the same, as in other membranes.

The magnitude in length, as also the figure, is the same with the compass of the inner part of the Chest; the thickness of it, is very little. This coat is commonly called the Pleura, from the name of the part which it covers or lines, (for the Greeks call the ribs 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,) and in like manner that which happens betwixt the Periosteum and this Pleura, is called either a true or bastard Pleurisie.

Notes

• What the membrane in∣vesting the ribs is.
• Its original.
• Whether, as there is a two∣fold Plurisie, so also a double Pleura.
• The Magni∣tude & Figure.