CHAP. XXVII. The lower Branching of the Intercostal Nerve belonging to the Parts and Viscera of the lower Belly is unfolded.
AFter the intercostal Pair hath past through the hollowness of the Thorax without any expence of Spirits, unless in the Neck-infolding, at length it sends down from the region of the Ventricle on both sides, a noted Branch; either of which presently becoming divided into two, constitute two pe∣culiar Infoldings on either side; but one infolding arises in the midst of them, as if common to either side. Of the infoldings which are on the left side, one respects the Kidney, and the other the Ventricle with the Spleen; but of those which are on the opposite side, one respects the right Kidney, and the other the Liver and its neigh∣bouring part. In the midst of these, the infolding proper to the Mesentery and the biggest, is placed as the Sun among the other Planets. Further, from these are sent forth one to another and into the neighbouring parts numerous Fibres very thick∣ly, as it were dartings of rays. Fig. 11. plainly shews all these.
Concerning these, in the first place, it shall be inquired into in general, For what end so many nervous infoldings, with almost innumerable fibres and shoots, are di∣stributed about the Mesentery and the Viscera of the Abdomen. For when in these parts the fibres and nervous shoots are carried on every side with so thick a series, that they are variously infolded with their manifold meeting, it may seem wonderful, if every one of these be destinated to some uses, and are not rather sprinkled here and there by chance, and as it were by the inconsiderate sporting of Nature. And indeed any one can scarce think, that so many Vessels should be prepared for the performing the offices of motion or sense in that place. For those Viscera, unless highly pulled and affected with a Convulsion, are sensible of little or nothing that we know of; and their motions are almost no other thing than obscure Vermiculations or light Corru∣gations, so that for the effecting them there is required no greater preparation than for the slow progress of a Snail. Wherefore from hence it hath come into the mind of some, that a certain Juyce, and that perhaps nutritious, was dispensed by this mani∣fold passage of the nervous Pipes: which sort of office however if assigned to these Fibres dispersed about the Mesentery, why should not the same office either of re∣ceiving or of carrying of nourishment, be granted to those in like manner divaricated about the Lungs and the Praecordia, and especially about the rough Artery? But truly