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. II. Concerning the Nerves of the Spinal Marrow, properly so called, and first of those of the Rack-bones of the Neck.

NAture, the wise parent of all things, as the hath framed the nerves, that they might serve for the carrying of the faculties, and spirits, that are generated in the brain, because the brain it self could not be diffused through the whole body: so when the same could not conveniently bestow nerves upon all the parts,* 1.1 by reason of their too great distance, she made the spinal marrow, which is nothing else, but the marrow of the after-brain and brain, extended through the long conduit pipe of the rack-bones of the back. And therefore we having already viewed those nerves which take their original from the marrow of the brain, whilest it is yet contained in the skull; it re∣mains now, that we take a view of them also which come from the spondyls of the back-bone: But it is called marrow, not that it hath any affinity by reason of its substance with the marrow of the bones;* 1.2 but because like marrow it is contained within the rack-bones; but the substance thereof is like that of the brain, which it self also Plato called marrow; and it is named the spinall marrow, or of the back, to distinguish it from both those that are contained in the back-bone,* 1.3 but either in the skull, as the brain, or in the hollowness of the bones, as that which is properly called marrow. This substance is covered with two membranes, no otherwise then the brain it self is, from whence it takes its o∣riginal, the one thick, the other thinner, which are invested with a certain third, strong and membranous covering, that Galen thought to be the ligament of the rack-bones. But it was made to that end, that it might distribute sence and motion to the muscles, and membranes, to which those pairs of the brain do not reach.* 1.4 Therefore, when there is a good number of nerves arising therefrom, yet we shall easily reduce them to some certain classes, or companies, if we say that they all make up thirty pairs, of which seven belong to the mar∣row, whilest it is carried through the rack-bones of the neck; twelve, whilest it is carried through those of the chest; five, through those of the loins; and lastly six to that which is contained in the holes of the Os sacrum, or great bone. But these nerves go out through the holes of the rack-bones, and either with a double original on the fore and hinder part, as it happens in the two first conjugations of the neck, and five of the great bone, which a∣rise not from the sides, that is, from the right, of left part, but issue forth two branches before and behinde; or else with a single one, through the hole bored in both sides of the rack-bones, as happens in all the rest of the pairs, in which one nerve issues from the right side, the other from the left. But the first and second pair have a double beginning, lest if they should arise with a single one, that being somewhat thicker might have been hurt by the joints of the rack-bones; or if the hole should be made larger, the rack-bone (which was small enough of it self) should be liable to breaking. Therefore that both these e∣vils might be avoined, the wise Opificer made a double beginning, one on the forepart, a∣nother on the hinder. But the right branches go everywhere to the right side, the left to the left, and they are distributed on both sides after the same manner.

* 1.5The first pair thereof [tab. 1. η. 1.] arises with its first, and foremost propagation [tab. 1. Β.] from the forepart of the spinal marrow, and passes out berwixt the nowl-bone, and the first rack bone of the neck, near to the sides of that round ligament, wherewith the tooth-like pro∣cess of the second rack-bone is tyed to the foreside of the nowl-bone, and so it is distribu∣ted into the muscles over the neck, and under the gullet, that bend the neck. With the o∣ther, and hinder propagation, [tab. 2. Fig. 1. C.] it likewise falls out through the hole, that is common to the nowl-bone, and first rack-bone of the neck, towards the hinder part, but with a double sprig, one of which being small is spent upon the les••er strait muscles and the upper oblique ones that extend the head; the other reaches out into the beginning of the muscle which lifts up the shoulder-blade.

The second pair [tab. 1. 2.] with its fore-branch [tab. 1. D.* 1.6] (which is slenderer then the hinder one, though both of them seem small enough) arising from the fore-part of the marrow, goes forth betwixt the first and second rack-bones at the side of the tooth-like process, which branch is distributed into the muscles that lye upon the neck, as well a the fore-branch of the first pair, which is wvapped together with it; and is almost wholly spent upon the skin of the face. With its hinder branch [tab. 2. fig. 1. Ε.] it slips out through the sides of the backward process of the second rack-bone, but presently is cleft into two branches of unequal bigness, of which that which is the thicker [tab. 2. fig. 1. F.] tends from the forepart to the hinder, where the muscles seated on both sides of the hinder part of the neck do meet together, & there being mixt [t. 2. f. 1. C] with the third propaga∣tion of the third pair of the nerves, it runs out through the middle of the said muscles, return∣ing from the hinder to the fore patts, and so is distributed into all the skin of the head, as far as to the top of the crown, [t. 2. f. 1. Η] as also to the ears. The other branch, which is the slenderer, is inserted into the great strait muscles, and the lower oblique ones, that extend the head. Galen makes mention of these branches lib. 4. de locis affect. which place we shall not think much to transcribe hither, it making very much to the illustra∣tion of the use of this kinde of learning. Not long since, sayes he, they ulcerated the head of a certain man, by laying on medicines vehemently heating, thinking by this means his sense, that was greatly impaired, might be recovered. But we cured this very man, having found out the seat of the disease as well from other accidents, as from the primitive or procatarctick causes. For we diligently examined him about every one of them, and found that this was one; when he had walked in much rain caused by a violent wind, his cloak was wet about his neck, so that he felt himself affected with a vehement cold in that part: so then if you know that four nerves ascend from the first rack of the back-bone to the head, from which the skin about it receives its sense, you will easily find out the seat of the disease; that therefore being healed, the skin of the head was healed also, as having no pri∣mary disease.

The third pair [tab. 1. 3.] issues out of the common hole in the sides,* 1.7 which is betwixt the second and third rack-bones, and presently after it gets out, is cleft into two branches, of which the more forward one [tab. 1. l. is subdivided into four propagations. The first [t. 2.* 1.8 Κ] goes to the first bending muscle of the neck, or the long one: the second [t. 1. L.] runs down, and being united with a sprig of the fourth pair [tab. 1. Q] ends in the muscles that lye un∣der the gullet. The third [tab. 1. Μ.] climbs up, and joining with the thicker branch of the second pair but now mentioned [tab 2 f. 1 F] is spent upon the skin of the hinder part of the head. The fourth [tab. 1. Ν] is imparted to the transverse muscles, or to the first pair of the extenders of the neck, and to that which lifts up the shoulder-blade, of which two muscles, that tends in the transverse processes of the neck, this begins therein; and at length it is di∣gested into the square muscle that draws down the cheeks, which is called by Galen 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.* 1.9 The hinder branch [tab. 2. f 1. Ο] is implanted into the second pair of muscles that ex∣tend the chest.

The fourth pair [tab. 1. numb. †.* 1.10] issues out of the common hole of the third and fourth rack-bones, and like the third pair is divided into two unequal branches. The more forward and greater [tab. 1. Ρ] is cleft into three other twigs, of which the first [tab. 1. Q] is joined with another branch of the third pair [tab. 1. L] and goes to the first long pair of muscles that bend the neck. Another. [tab. 1. R] goes to the transverse muscle, or first of those which ex∣tend the neck, and to the first of the shoulder-blade, called Cucullaris, the cowl-muscle. The [unspec 1] third [tab. 1. S] being smaller then the other, and joined with a surcle of the fifth pair, and [unspec 2] another branch of the sixth pair, near to the mediastinum or membran that parts the chest [unspec 3] in the middle, and above the Pericardium, passes on downward, that out of these three principles the nerve of the midriff may be made up. The hinder branch [tab. 2. f 1. Τ] goes to∣ward the spine or ridge, under the muscles which are placed thereabout,* 1.11 to which also it affords a good number of branches, and from thence being led downward between the mus∣cles on both sides of the neck, it is carried to the square muscle that draws down the cheeks. In this place it is worth our labour to inquire what may be the reason,* 1.12 that they who are troubled with a Resolution, or deprivation of motion in the whole body, have nevertheless the motion of their midriff for a while free: some make answer, that this happens, be∣cause although no spirits are sent over from the brain, yet they may be diffused out of the marrow of the back. But these men beg the question, when we suppose that no spirits come from hence, because we see that all the muscles of the whole body, to which nerves are sent from the marrow of the back, are resolved or deprived of motion. Therefore I thought fit to seek out for another answer, and to say that the midriff has two motions, one that is voluntary, which we use whilst we breath strongly; another natural one, when the fibres are extended, and contracted of themselves. A man therefore is preserved by this natural mo∣tion, when we see that breathing is little, and weak, and as much as suffices that the lungs may be moved a little.

The fifth pair [tab. 1. numb. 5.] goes out betwixt the fourth and fifth rack-bones, and,* 1.13 like the two last fore-going, is cleft into two branches. The forwarder of them [tab. 1. U] issues

forth some propagations. The first [tab. 1. betwixt U and 6] goes to the muscles, that bend the neck. Another [tab. 1. Χ] together with propagations of the fourth, and sixth pairs, some∣times also of the seventh, to wit, then when the branch of the fourt is wanting, descends near to the side of the gullet through the sore part of the rack-bones of the neck, and is im∣planted into the midriff, and so makes the midriff nerve. The third [t. 1. Υ] is carried through the upper part, and outside of the arm, to the second muscle of the arm, to wit, that which lifts τ up, called Deltoides, from whence little branches are sent over to the first, and second, that is to the cowl-muscle, & the lifter up of the shoulder-blade. The fourth propagation [t. 1. b] at the neck of the shoulder-blade is cleft into two, of which the former [tab. 1. c] goes in∣to the muscle Deltoides, at that part where it arises from the clavicle or canal-bone: the lat∣ter and thicker [tab. 1. d] is inserted into the fourth pair of muscles of the bone hyoides, cal∣led coracohyoideum, and from thence imparts a small branch to the upper muscle over the shoulder-blade called super scapularis, and to the muscle Deltoides, where it arises from the spine of the shoulder-blade.* 1.14 The binder branch [tab. 2 f 1. e] is writhen toward the back-bone, and distributed in the same manner, as the hinder branch of the fourth pair is.

The sixth pair [tab. 1. numb 6] goes out under the fifth rack-bone, and in like manner as the other pairs are, is divided into two branches. The forwarder and greater [tab. 1. f] after it has propagated that sprig, [tab. 1. g] which we said is joyned with the fourth, and fifth pair, [tab. 1. S and Χ] to the making up of the nerve of the midriff [tab. 1. i] passing on farther is united with the two next following pairs, the seventh of the neck, and the first of the chest, and is again separated from them, and then again being joined with them it so weaves a certain net-like texture,* 1.15 from which nerves are issued forth, that go to the arm. The hinder [tab. 2. fig. 1. Ι] is carried to the hind muscles which extend the head, and neck.

The seventh pair [tab. 1. η. 7] is derived from the marrow of the neck, and issues forth through the common hole of the sixth and seventh rack-bones. The forwarder and greater branch thereof [tab. 1. m] is joined presently after its egress with the sixth nerve of the neck, and the first of the chest, and for the greater part is carried with the rest to the arm. The hinder lesser branch [tab. 2. fig. 1. n] goes to the muscles, that lye upon the neck, and to the square one, that draws down the cheeks.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The spinal marrow.
• * 1.2

  Why it is cal∣led marrow.
• * 1.3

  It is wrapt up into two mem∣branes.
• * 1.4

  The conjuga∣tions or pairs of the spinal marrow.
• * 1.5

  The first pair of the neck.
• * 1.6

  The second pair.
• * 1.7

  The third pair.
• * 1.8

  Its fore-branch.
• * 1.9

  Its hinde•• branch.
• * 1.10

  The fourth pair. The fore-branch. Its propagati∣ons.
• * 1.11

  The hinder branch.
• * 1.12

  A question.
• * 1.13

  The fifth nerve Its fore-branch.
• * 1.14

  The binder branch. The sixth pair. Its fore-branch.
• * 1.15

  Its hinder branch. The seventh pair. The fore-branch. The hinder.