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. VIII. Of the Diaphragma or Midriff.

* 1.1ALthough the Midriff may seem to be accounted rather a part containing than contained, yet for commodities sake, we have deferred the demonstration thereof till now. There∣fore, It is a muscle round and long, terminating the lower part of the Chest.

* 1.2It is of the same substance, composition, and temper, as the Muscles of the Epigastrium; it is made of two coats, the lower whereof is from the Peritonaeum, and the upper from the Pleura. Which getting to them flesh, but not there, but in their circumference, by the benefit of the bloud brought thither by the Veins and Arteries distributed through it, turn into a muscle; whose mid∣dle is nervous and membranous, but the extremities by which it is inserted, one while fleshy, as in that part next to the bastard-ribs; another while tendonous, as where it touches the first and se∣cond Vertebra's of the Loins; for it ends in them by two Tendons manifest enough. It is one in number,* 1.3 interposed with an oblique site betwixt the natural and vital parts. It hath connexion with the lower part of the Sternon and short-ribs, and the two first Vertebra's of the Loins, but by its coats and vessels with the parts from whence it received them.

* 1.4The extent thereof is equal to the compass of the lower part of the Chest. The length of it

is from the brest-blade, even to the first and second vertebra of the loins. The thickness is diverse, for it is far thicker in its fleshy extremity, than in its nervous original.

The Action thereof is to help the expulsion of the Excrements by the mutual assistance of the Epigastrick muscles: but the chief use is for respiration, of which it is one of the prime instruments.* 1.5 This partition the Ancients called Phrenes,* 1.6 because the inflammation thereof caused like symp∣tomes, as the inflammation of the Brain, by reason of the large nerves on each side one, which come to it directly and primarily from the third, fourth, and fifth Vertebra's of the neck. This muscle differs from other muscles, specially in figure. It is perforated in three places, to give way or passage to the ascendent Hollow-vein, to the artery Aorta, and the Gullet.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What the Mi∣driff is.
• * 1.2

  Its substance, composition, &c.
• * 1.3

  Connexion.
• * 1.4

  Quantity.
• * 1.5

  Action.
• * 1.6

  Why the Dia∣phragma was called Phrenes.