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 Page  165 it is highly improbable, that a nutritious Juyce should be contained in the Coats of the Trachea or of the Bronchia, which the nerves may suck out; nor does it more clearly appear, why more nerves should be destinated for the carrying of the alible Juyce to these parts of the Abdomen, or those of the Breast, than is needful for the musculous stock. But in the mean time, though we deny, that the whole nutritious matter is carried this way and that way by those or the other nerves; yet we think, that within those nervous passages an humor doth perpetually abound, which may be for a Vehicle of the animal Spirits, and a Ferment for the nutritious matter: with which going with the nervous humor towards the Intestines and to the other sinks of the Body, it is likely, that the superfluous and excrementitious serosities do often slide down together, and so are carried out.

But it may be well thought, as to the Mesenterick Nerves, and Infoldings in which they are terminated, and the Fibres most thickly going out of these, that these diffe∣rent manner of Vessels are first Chanels, then Storehouses, and lastly the last Emissa∣ries of the animal Spirits. If it should be demanded, for what end so great plenty of Spirits should be designed for these ignobler parts; I say, that this is done for the performing the acts of Motion and Sense there, which are highly necessary for the preserving of life it self. For although local motion, which is always performed by the help of a Muscle, as of a Spring, is not convenient for the Viscera of the lower Belly; yet intestine motions are brought forth by them almost continually, and after many fashions: viz. for the subduing the Chyle, also for the separation of some parts and particles from others, both of that, and also of the bloody Liquor, and the protrusion of every one towards their designed bounds, the Fibres and nervous shoots reaching into the Membranes of the Viscera and the Coats of the Vessels, yea and into the textures of the Parenchyma, are variously drawn together, to wit, these are pul∣led upwards, those downwards; sometimes many together, sometimes apart or suc∣cessively, are wont to be drawn hither and thither. In truth, it is a sign of the in∣discontinued action of these Viscera, that as well in sleep, and perhaps more than in waking, the Culinary work of Nutrition is performed; and whilst the Organs of the other Faculties are at rest, there is no quiet granted to these: but that the Mesente∣rick nerves perpetually grinding in the Mill, are always busied for the preparing the alible humor and the exporting the same towards all parts.

Moreover in these parts, to which the aforesaid Nerves belong, there is found an exquisite feeling no less than a motive Faculty; for whatsoever heterogeneous or hurt∣ful thing, mixed with the Chyle or blood, is brought to any Viscera, presently the Spirits, inhabiting those parts, being warned of the evil, do greatly tumultuate as it were by entring into a Conspiracy, that what is hostile or troublesom they might shut out. But indeed, because the animal Spirits, flowing by the passage of the inter∣costal nerve to the Intestines and Viscera akin to them, proceed from the Cerebel▪ therefore the businesses of either Faculty, to wit, both the sensitive and locomotive, forasmuch as they are performed the Brain unconsulted, and the animal scarce know∣ing it, are not so openly taken notice of, and for that reason they are accounted of less than the spontaneous acts of the other parts.

But as to the manner it self or way of the oeconomy, whereby the animal Spirits, destinated to the Viscera of the lower Belly, are exercised, we affirm, That plenty of them flow into all the Mesentetick infoldings by the passage of the nerves sent from the intercostal pair; where being heaped up to a fulness, as it were in so many Store-houses or places of Receipt, they are kept to be distributed from thence into several parts, as occasion requires. But that the Spirits flow out of these infoldings, not through singular and larger branches, (as is done in the Muscles) but as it were by Troops of Fibres, into their proper tasks, the reason is, because here the business is performed otherwise than in the musculous stock. For where a Muscle is fixed to the part to be moved, its implanted Fibres perform the whole work of Contraction, or of the motive endeavour; but it suffices for the nerve still to convey new supple∣ments of Spirits, and as occasion serves, the Instincts of the Motion to be performed: but in the Membranes and the Viscera, where Muscles are wanting, the nervous Fi∣bres themselves most thickly implanted, and distributed as it were so many little ropes, almost into every part of the subject, perform the business of Traction or drawing by themselves and their own proper endeavour or force partly; and partly solicite or stir up into motion the Fibres implanted in the Viscera disposed after an uncertain order; which they determinate in their action, and moderate or govern Page  166 them, as it were so many fingers laid upon the strings of a musical Instrument. For although the Membranes and the Viscera themselves are indued with some implanted Fibres; yet these are not, as it is in the Muscles, of one kind and position; but in the same part some are straight, and others oblique or crooked, these tend upwards, those downwards, and others are carried round; so that divers sorts of motions ought to be performed in the same Membrane or Inward, sometimes together, sometimes successively or by turns: wherefore distinct nerves are required, not only for the several series of Fibres, but for all the parts of the subject, to wit, which may stop here a motion begun in that place, and may begin another anew, or may unite one with another. Truly the motion which is performed in the musculous stock seems like the rude and more simple work of some Weaver, where the shuttle being always cast after the same manner, the Woof is laid under the Thread or Yarn: but the mo∣tions of the Intestines and Viscera may be aptly compared to a Texture very much variegated or flourished, for the weaving of whose more artificial substance or making there is made use of many hands together, or of a Machine diversly turning about, and furnished with more than a thousand sorts of motions.

Concerning the many Mesenterick Nerves, and Shoots, and nervous Fibres which go out of them by bands, we must consider chiefly these two things: to wit, what may be the office of each of them for the stirring up of motion or sense, either of them, or both together in any part: then secondly, what the communication of either of them may be with other nerves, infoldings or bundles of nerves, by reason of which a Sympathy or consent of actions arises at once in divers parts. According to these two respects we will particularly weigh now the several nervous Vessels belonging to the Viscera of the lower Belly.

Therefore in the left side the supreme Mesenterick branch being presently forked like the figure of the Letter Y, contains in its upper shoot the Stomachical infolding, which is also the Splenetick, and in the other lower the Renal infolding or that be∣longing to the Reins. Moreover, about the knot of division it sends forth some shoots to the greatest infolding of the Mesentery, Fig. 11. F. G. Hence a reason is plain, wherefore there happens such affinity between the Ventricle and the Spleen, and between the Mesentery and the Reins, so that the very often and familiar Symptom of Vomiting is both in Splenetick, Colical, and Nephritick people: because when a Convulsion is begun in any part or Inward, which the Mesenterick nerve respects, presently other parts, to which the infoldings or shoots of the same nerve belong, are drawn into consent.

From this lower infolding a little bundle of Nerves being carried towards the Sto∣mach, inserts its Fibres partly in its bottom, and partly sends them to meet with other Fibres sent down from the nerve of the Stomach, Fig. 11. n. The reason of the former is, That whereas there are many Coats of the Ventricle, and divers series of Fibres are disposed in them, for the actuating all of which with a due influx of animal Spirits, the Stomachical nerves, derived from the wandring pair, are not sufficient; it was fit, that for the outward Court as it were or Precinct of this In∣ward, to wit, for the outmost bottom of it, some forces of Spirits might be supplied from some strange Kingdom, to wit, from the aforesaid nervous infolding of the Abdomen. Instead of this, Spirits also may slide downwards from the same Stoma∣chical branch through other Fibres sent down, and be sent into this Splenetick in∣folding. Besides also it is observed, That the adventitious nerves aptly conspire with the former, being of the proper dominion of the Ventricle, and that either are not only inoculated within the confines of the Inward it self, but they run into mutual embraces without it, and as it were joyn hands together.

It seems plain, that the nervous Filaments being carried from the aforesaid infold∣ing to the bottom of the Ventricle, may serve there for the performing the acts of Motion and Sensation: but it doth not so easily appear with what office the other handful of Fibres reaching out from hence into the Spleen is charged (Fig. 11. ζ.) because this Inward is said to be destitute wholly of every animal Faculty. When we did elsewhere inquire into the use of the Spleen, we thought good to affirm, That its office was to separate the dregs of the Blood and the acid-saline Particles, and whatsoever were of a more fixed nature, and to concoct them more being received into its own bosom, and to convert them into an acid Ferment; by which being again delivered to the blood through the Veins, a sharpness and an asperity, as also an active or fermentative virtue are gotten for its Latex. Wherefore the whole sub∣stance Page  167 of the Spleen consists of a texture of Fibres in the form of a net; to wit, that the Feculencies of the blood might be more plentifully received, and contained within its spongy cavities and thick passages. I say therefore, that for the fit preserving and dispensing of the Splenetick Ferment, besides the Arteries which carry matter, and the Veins which continually sup back some portion of the same fermented, there seems to be need of many nerves also, which both by pulling the fibrous texture of the Spleen, might cause the melancholick and dark Faeces, laid up in it, to be shaken together, and so by defending it from putrefaction and coagulation, cause it to be imbued with an acid and fermentative nature; and also that those nerves may sometimes draw together and constrain the blood-carrying Vessels, sometimes open and inlarge them; that as occasion serves, the Feculencies of the blood may be sometimes more plentiful∣ly, sometimes more sparingly laid aside out of the Arteries into the Spleen, also that more or less of the Ferment, preserved in the Spleen, may be poured out on the blood according to the requirings of the Passions or of the natural Instinct. No Hy∣pochondriack but doth abundantly perceive, that some Splenetick nerves do perform motions; for those great perturbations which are wont to be excited in the left side, as when sometimes Inflations, sometimes constrictions of the inward parts, and sometimes various concussions are perceived with a wandring pain running here and there, they are only Spasms or Convulsions or wrinklings together, with which the nerves of the Spleen are ordinarily affected. Nor do its nerves, taken with a Convul∣sion, stir up tumults only in the neighbourhood of the Spleen, but oftentimes fur∣ther into the Heart it self, yea into the whole Body the effects of their inordinations are carried. I have known an Hypochondriack, who presently upon the Spleen being disturbed, seemed to have his Praecordia, being drawn downwards, to be cruelly prest and bound together; so that being very sad and dejected in his mind, also complaining of an exceeding great straitness and constriction of his Breast, he thought himself almost dead. The cause of which kind of distemper was without doubt, that when many Fibres going out of the Splenetick infolding are united with other Fibres sent from the farthest end of the wandring pair, it easily happens, that the former, being distempered with the Convulsion, do draw together and pull downwards their yoke-fellows, and by consequence the Trunk it self of the wandring pair, from which the nerves are sent into the Praecordia: certainly by the Sympraxis or joynt action of either kind of the aforesaid nerves, viz. whereof these respect the Spleen, those the Praecordia, it is effected, that the Trembling, Oppression, and other grievous Distem∣pers of the Heart, as also of the Spleen, so ordinarily happen. Further, forasmuch as the Fermentation of the blood depends on the Spleen, according to the influence of this, that performs its Circulation, sometimes pleasantly, sometimes disturbedly. Whilst the Spleen is at quiet, and free from any perturbation, the blood also is quietly moved in Hypochondriacal persons; but if the same be moved and exercised, (as it is wont to be in any passion or violent motion of the Body, or by a Medicine) presently its nerves being distempered with a Convulsion, shake it more with reite∣rated contractions; so that the fermentative Feculencies, being shaken out of its bosom, flow back more plentifully into the blood, which cause its Latex presently to be troubled, and as it were muddy, and sharpen it with so great acrimony and mordacity, that it burns and pricks the Brain and Heart like needles; from whence in Splenetick people, besides that the Reason is obscured, the affections of the Mind, especially Sadness, Hatred, and Anger are very much increased.

Concerning the Splenetick Nerves, by another conjecture, we are yet brought to believe, that they, besides the exercise of the motive Faculty, do both instil into the Spleen its own humor, which promotes the fermentative virtue of that Inward; and also (because the nerves, as was shewn already, convey the Spirits, and sometimes the humors by either way, viz. forward and backward) the same implanted in the Spleen, do often imbibe from it an acetous or Vinegar-like humor, and as it were Vitriolick, from whose acrimony and notable twitching, they are forced into Con∣vulsions.

But forasmuch as the nervous Infolding respecting the Spleen, communicates more nearly with the Ventricle, Mesentery, Liver, and Kidneys, and more remotely with the Praecordia and other parts placed at a distance; from hence the cause is plain, where∣fore not only these several Viscera and parts, by reason of the fault of the Spleen, are folded together; but also on the contrary, why the Spleen being indisposed by any Disease, or trouble raised up in any of those parts, is wont to be disturbed: so it is Page  168 not altogether for nothing, that the Symptoms every where infesting, the cause of them being unknown, are ascribed ordinarily to the Spleen; because it fixes not only its own inordinations in other parts, but also suffers for their peculiar faults: which notwith∣standing is wrongfully ascribed to Vapours transmitted from this or that part, when the formal reason of every Distemper of this kind for the most part consists in the com∣munication made through the Nerves.

The lower Infolding of the left side seems to be made for the Kidney placed near, into which chiefly the bundle of its Fibres is carried, Fig. 11. ♃. γ. γ. Certainly that these nerves, following the emulgent Vessels, do embrace the same, and bind them about with a various and frequent complication; that is so made for that end, that by reason of the Artery being so strained and frequently shaken by the drawings of the nerves, the Serum may the more easily be precipitated from the blood: wherefore it is observed in very great difficulty or danger, when the mind and all the nerves are strained for fear, that a frequent and more plentiful making of water, and that often painful, is wont to be provoked.

The Renal Infolding receives, besides the Nerve common to it with the upper in∣folding, another new and peculiar one from the intercostal nerve, or rather that co∣ming between from the spinal Marrow, Fig. 11. β. Hence it is, that the Loyns have a great consent with the Reins, and suffer so ordinarily for their Distempers with a grievous and largely diffusive pain. Forasmuch as this infolding communicates with the greatest of the Mesentery, the Colick distemper and the Nephritick are much akin, and it is often difficult to distinguish their fits one from the other.

The Mesenterick branch in the right side, as well as the left, being forked, con∣tains two infoldings: the upper of these (which we call the Hepatick) sends forth from it self many little bundles of nervous Fibres; the greatest of which being car∣ried towards the Liver, cloaths the Hepatick Artery as it were with a Net made of Fibres, Fig. 11. ♂. o. The most Learned Glisson observes, That the Hepatick Artery is bestowed on the Trunks of the Vessels, to wit, of the common Chest, of the bilary Pore, and of the Vena Porta; for the watering of which, and for the actuating them with heat and nourishing Juyce, it carries the arterious Blood; to which notwith∣standing for the recarrying, an associate Vein is wholly wanting: wherefore that ought to carry the blood, not with a full and free influx, but by little and little, and always in a constant measure to those membranaceous parts: for otherwise there had been danger, lest from the bloody Latex plentifully rushing forward, for that it could not be still remanded presently through the Veins, an Inflammation should be excited, or lest from its torrent being transfused beyond its banks, the courses of the other rivers in the Liver should be disturbed. But for that the nerves, like Reins, do bind about the Trunk of the Artery, the inflowing of the blood it self is moderated, and they cause it variously to be dispensed according to the wants of those parts to which it is destinated.

From the Troop of Nerves going out towards the Liver, some bend down into the Pancreas, and others into the Cholidock Vessels, Duodenum, and Pylorus, and sow into them thick series of shoots, Fig. 11. π. π. The office of these seems to be, to pull together the excretory passages of those parts, and to shake them for the causing Evacuations of the boiling or turging humors upon occasion. Further, from these Fibres being carried upwards, when many others sent from either Stomachical nerve are united, the reason is plain, why from an hawling or pulling made about the Ventricle, the yellow Bile is drawn out of the Gall-chest into the Duodenum, which being carried from thence into the Ventricle, by reason of a Convulsion of that same Intestine, is cast up by Vomit: because the Stomachical nerves being irritated by a Medicine, or by any troublesom thing, for the making an Evacuation above, and for that cause drawn from thence upwards, they draw together the nerves belonging to the Liver and the Cholidock Vessels, for that they are tied to them, and bring them into consent with the superior Spasm or Convulsion. Hence it happens, that not only the Stomach being first tired, draws to it self the Bile by its Convulsion, and allures it into its own bosom; but the Bile also of its own accord growing turgid, and so being poured out into the Duodenum, forasmuch as it irritates the nerves of this Intestine, and then by their consent, provokes the nervous Vessels of the Ventricle, it presently induces a cholerick Vomiting.

The Hepatick Infolding communicates with the Splenetick by Fibres going between either, Fig. 11. τ. The reason of which seems to be, That when one infolding re∣spects Page  169 the end or the right extremity of the Ventricle, and another the left; that a consent in either and a joynt action may be made towards the Stomach, both com∣municate between themselves by nerves, as if Internuntii. Truly it seems to come to pass by the passage of these nerves, that the Hypochondriacal pains oftentimes run from the left side into the right; to wit, for that a Spasm or Convulsion begun in the Sple∣netick infolding, is wont to be carried to the Hepatick.

Between the Hepatick Infolding and the greatest of the Mesentery, many Fibres reaching out by bands, are cast out in the midst, Fig. 11. p. p. the office of which is to sustain a certain commerce and Sympathy; to wit, such an one is required, both that the Chyle may be ministred from the Intestines towards the Liver still in due proportion, also that the Bile may opportunely slide out from the Gall-bladder into the Intestines for the provoking of Excretion. For we are of this Opinion, That the Meseraick Veins sucking out a certain portion of the Chyle from the Intestines, immediately transfer it through the region of the Liver into the Vena Cava, whereby the blood in the ascending Trunk of the hollow Vein or Vena Cava, might be freshly imbued with nourishing Juyce; even as in its descending Trunk it is refreshed, the same being poured out through the Thoracical Vessels or those belong∣ing to the Thorax. Wherefore it is needful, that there should be a very strict affinity between these Viscera; and the rather, because the Bile ought to be poured out from the Gall chest to the Intestines, not continually, but for some uses, by occasions and intervals. For the Nerves knowing best the wants of either part, warn them both of their mutual duty, and as occasion serves, stir them into action.

It is observed, That in the right side an ample Nerve is stretched out between the Hepatick and Renal infolding, Fig. 11. μ. So that between these infoldings a greater and more immediate consent is had, than between those pairs of the other side. The reason of which doth not easily appear, unless perhaps it should be so made for this end, that when from the Reins, in making of water, there is an endeavour of the serous Excretion, the Pylorus and the Cholidock Vessels being at once drawn down∣wards, a protrusion of the Chyle and Faeces might be provoked towards the lower parts of the Belly. Certainly this connexion of these infoldings is chiefly the cause, why oftentimes most cruel Vomiting uses to come upon a Fit of the Stone; and that from such a Vomiting the Cholidock Vessels are very much emptied, as if provoked by taking an Emetick.

The greatest Infolding of the Mesentery being placed in the midst of the rest, like the Sun, disperses every where round about nervous Fibres like rays, Fig. 11. ☉. and casts them not only on every one of those infoldings, as if so many Planets with a peculiar Aspect, or Actinobolism or Irradiation, but also it distributes them into ma∣ny Intestines, sanguiferous Vessels, and other parts lying round about: without doubt upon these nervous Filaments, which are carried from this infolding to the Intestines, as Lines from the Centre to the Circumference, every action of the Intestines, and espe∣cially the Peristaltick motion of the Vermiculation, depends; namely for that these Fibres do move successively, and still move further every begun action, as it were with a spiral or Screw-like progress.

That from this Infolding many Fibres and shoots going forth, are inserted into the Trunk of the Aorta nigh its descending, and that these reaching towards the Inte∣stines, accompany the Blood-carrying Vessels, and in several places climb over them; from hence it may be inferred, That nerves also in the Abdomen are like Bridles and Reins cast on the sanguiferous Vessels, which either by straining or pulling them to∣gether, may sometimes retard, sometimes incite the course of the blood according to the needs of the lower Viscera.

From the greatest Infolding of the Mesentery some noted Fibres and shoots are sent out into the Glandula's of the Womb or the Womens Testicles, Fig. 11. τ. τ. Into which also other shoots from the Trunk of the intercostal Nerve, ibid. υ. υ. and others going out of the nerve which comes between this infolding and the lowest of the Ab∣domen, do come together, ibid. ψ. ψ. So that a provision of Spirits is carried into those parts from a threefold Store-house; which indeed is much larger than is done in the other Sex, when we find scarce any nerve to belong to mens Testicles. Indeed the Womb, besides that it is a very sensible part, ought also to be moved diversly, and in bringing forth a child very strongly: wherefore there are granted to this both more strong implanted Fibres, and also Nerves of a various kind and original.

Most of the Infoldings of the Abdomen, but especially the lowest, and that re∣lated Page  170 to it the greatest of the Mesentery, are oftentimes affected in the Passions com∣monly called Hysterical, as shall be presently declared. Therefore if at any time such distempers proceed from the Womb, the cause is manifest wherefore the aforesaid infoldings are drawn into consent. But we have elsewhere shewn, That those Pas∣sions are merely convulsive, and not seldom excited without any fault in the Womb. Further, that Symptom very frequent in those kind of Fits, to wit, in which as it were a Globe is perceived to be carried from the bottom of the Belly, and about the Navel to leap out impetuously, which therefore is thought to be an ascent of the Womb; I say, that it is nothing else than most cruel Convulsions of these infold∣ings. Indeed oftentimes in Women, and sometimes also in Men, I have known when the convulsive Affection hath invaded, that a bulk in the Hypogastrium hath been seen to arise, then about the midst of the Abdomen so great a swelling to follow, that it could not be hindred or prest down, though strongly attempted by the hands of a strong man. Without doubt, the cause of this admirable distemper is, that within the nerves of the intercostal pair the inflowing animal Spirits, as often as they begin disorders or convulsive motions, first (as it is wont to be) begin to grow hot or to be exploded about the extremities of the nerve, to wit, in the lowest infolding of the Abdomen; which affection of theirs, when creeping upwards it is carried to the greatest infolding of the Mesentery, so that the Spirits inhabiting it are taken with the like inordination, it is no wonder, if that swelling up of the middle of the Ab∣domen, and as it were an explosion of a certain nitrosulphureous matter, should be stirred up. For truly it is not probable, that that Symptom should be excited from the Womb ascending and being removed from its place, because, besides this part being fixed in its place and firmly established with Ligaments, the bulk of it also in Virgins is so small, scarce exceeding the bigness of a Walnut, that although it should be carried up into the Belly, it could not produce such a swelling. Nor is it more likely, that this sort of distemper is stirred up from the Muscles of the Abdomen taken with a Convulsion: for they, however convulsive, draw together themselves and subject∣ed parts upwards or downwards, or of one side, but they are not able by any means to bear themselves aloft, and to lift up on high, with a force, the region of the Navel. But, as we suppose, the animal Spirits in the greatest infolding of the Mesentery growing fierce, and becoming apt to be exploded, (as such indeed they are whenever they enter into convulsive motions) they being there gathered round thickly into a Globe, do mainly blow up and lift on high with their effervescency and notable rare∣faction that infolding with its whole neighbourhood, and at once drive upward the Viscera lying upon it with a certain vibration or shaking. A more full explication of this Symptom belongs to the Pathology of the Brain and Nerves.

In the mean time we shall take notice, that another certain Distemper, viz. the Colical grief doth belong to the infoldings of the Abdomen, and especially to this great∣est of the Mesentery. For it may be thought, that the most cruel torments that are wont to be excited in this disease do come, not from an excrementitious matter shut up in the cavities of the Intestines, nor always from a sharp humor impacted in their Coats, but oftner from the nervous Juyce imbued with a certain acrimony, and stagnating within this infolding; from whence, by reason of a consent of this with the infoldings both Hepatick and Splenetick, a frequent and cruel Vomiting comes upon these pains. But these Pathologick Speculations being referred to their places, we will follow what we first of all instituted, the further passage of the intercostal Nerve, by which we are led to the two lesser and lowest Infoldings of the Abdomen.

Below the Mesenterick Nerves, out of which the superior Infoldings are made, ei∣ther descending intercostal Trunk sends forth three or four singular shoots, which are carried into the Ureters, Fig. 11. υ. υ. The use of these seems to be, to pull to∣gether, and to jog or shake those urinary Chanels, that the Serum separated in the Reins, may be the more readily drawn out towards the Bladder. Moreover, if at any time a viscous or muddy matter doth stick to the passages of the Ureters, or a more fixed stone doth obstruct their Cavities, they, by the help of the Nerves in∣serted here and there in their whole tract, being pulled together and wrinkled, may press down and always move forward any bulk or substance staying in the passage.

Nigh the Vertebrae, out of which the Crural Nerves begin to go forward, three distinct branches brought to either intercostal Nerve, are carried from thence into the lowest hollowness of the Belly, where they make the infolding which is the lowest of the Abdomen, Fig. 11. ☽. π. π. π. That here so many nerves, to wit, six large ones Page  171 joyning together do make but a small infolding, viz. a lesser than is raised higher in a single branch of the nerve; the reason is, because this infolding is like an Inn, where the inflowing Spirits dwell no long time, but it receiving them only in their passage, presently commits them to other infoldings placed here and there above, below, and of one side, and made for divers offices; for from hence the chief passage, and as it were a broad way, leads to the greatest infolding of the Mesentery; moreover, from hence nerves, diversly going out, make three other infoldings, which respect the parts and ways by which the several Excretions, to wit, of the Dung, Urine, and Seed, are made in the lower Belly.

The first Nerve therefore sent out of this lowest Infolding into the greatest of the Mesentery, a little before it reaches to it, imparts two noted shoots to the Glandula's of the Womb; but in its ascent it admits four other branches, as it were subsidiary, viz. two on either side from the intercostal pair, Fig. 11. χ. so that the nerve here seems to be the chief means of passage of the animal Spirits destinated to the greatest infolding of the Mesentery and to the uterine Glandula's; which passage however is carried into the designed parts, not immediately, but a compass being made, it first goes forward beyond its bound, and at length with a certain going back. The reason of which is, that the motions of all the Intestines, viz. the Vermiculations should be directed downwards towards the straight Intestine, and also that the actions of the Womb should tend thither; therefore 'twas fit, that the animal Spirits should be sup∣plied from below whither the motion inclined. For by the like means, this Mesen∣terick nerve and the two returning nerves, being first carried lower, ascend into their Provinces; to wit, that they may pull together the respective parts toward that bound placed below, as it were to a Pully.

Further, for this end, to wit, that the influence of the Spirits actuating some In∣testines, might be derived lower; the other infolding of the Abdomen, to wit, the least, is added immediately to this. Because upon the Nerves being carried from hence about an inch, there grows a small infolding; out of which, one nerve being sent out into the greatest infolding of the Mesentery, stretches it self under the top of the straight Intestine and part of the Colon, Fig. 11. ☿. α. And another nerve, descend∣ing from this infolding, is carried under the lowest part of the same straight Intestine, Fig. 11. b. which also, two shoots carried from the infoldings placed in the Pelvis or Bason, meet, Fig. 11. d. d. It will not be hard to declare the uses of this infolding and its nerves: because all those nervous passages are emptied about the offices and motions of the straight Intestine. The ascending nerve directs the Vermiculations of the same straight Intestine, as also of the lower part of the Colon, and then (the greatest infolding of the Mesentery mediating) of some other Intestines to be made downwards; but the descending nerve, in opposition to the other, drawing the lowest part of the straight Intestine upwards, takes care that the Excrements being carried towards the Arse-hole, may not slide out suddenly and unexpectedly. Then forasmuch as two nerves from the two infoldings placed within the Bason or Tunnel, (which in∣foldings immediately admitting a noted Vertebral branch, are partakers of the spon∣taneous Function) meet with this descending nerve, and are ingraffed into it; it comes to pass from all of them together, that the Excrements being detained at the doors, when it shall be convenient, the Appetite commanding, are cast out. Nature, that it might shun filthiness, is so careful, that for the carrying out of the Excrements it constitutes nervous Vessels, with as noted a provision, as for the performing any where of the most splendid offices.

From the lowest Infolding of the Abdomen, two nerves being sent into the Tunnel, receive there on both sides a noted Vertebral Nerve; and so constitute two infoldings, to wit, one in either side, Fig. 11. C.C. K.K. These infoldings near the doors, pla∣ced before the chief excretory passages, serve for the opening and shutting them: a Vertebral branch comes to either as a supply; by which it comes to pass, that be∣sides the increasing the forces of the Spirits, their acts flowing from these infoldings, become in some measure spontaneous. By what means and for what end, the nerve ascending from either infolding, is bestowed on the straight Intestine, was shewn but now. Moreover, two descending on both sides, are carried into the neck or porch of the Womb, Fig. 11. e. g. Without doubt, whatever of sense or motion is made about the Venereal acts, is owed to the influence of the Spirits through these Nerves. In Men the delightful profusion of the Genital humor, and in Women the no less pleasant reception of the same depends on the action of those nerves. Lastly, Page  172 from the same infolding another nerve descending and broken into certain shoots, is distributed on both sides into the Bladder and its Sphincter, Fig. 11. f. Certainly by these nerves the business of making water is performed, and when at any time the same is painful, the troublesom sense is impressed on them. But forasmuch as the nerves dedicated to the several Excretions proceed on both sides from the same infolding, therefore the acts of them all are in some measure alike among themselves, so indeed, that if any excretory passage should be weak or ill affected, it sends forth its charge which it should keep, whether it will or no. This is so well known, that there is no need to illustrate the matter with instances.

These Nerves and Infoldings being so made, there is not much business besides left for the intercostal pair. About the beginning of the Os Sacrum, both Trunks in∣clining mutually one to the other, communicate among themselves by a cross shoot or two, then they end in very small Fibres, which are distributed into the Sphincter of the Anus, Fig. 11. q. r. s. Here the intercoast pair is after the same manner, as we have observed concerning the wandring pair; to wit, either nerve being brought to the end of its course, before they enter upon their last task, incline themselves to mutual embraces. Concerning the last offices of either pair, this Conformity may be also noted; that whenas the Viscera dedicated to Chylification, to wit, the Ventricle and Intestines, are still continued to the last by the same passage and the same perpe∣tual cavity or hollowness; the first doors of this Cavity, to wit, the Orifices of the Ventricle, are kept by the lowest branches of the wandring pair joyned among them∣selves; but before the last door of the same, to wit, the Sphincter of the Anus, the extremities of the intercostal pair, also before joyned among themselves, are placed. But to this part, as if it had never provided enough for it, besides the nerves sent hither from either infolding next above, and these extreme productions of the inter∣costal pair bestowed on it, a branch also and certain fibres from the Vertebral nerve are inserted, Fig. 11. i. k. By the access of which it comes to pass, that the shutting and opening of this door-keeping Muscle becomes spontaneous. Truly many nerves, and those of a diverse kind, are distributed into the Sphincter of the Anus, to wit, be∣cause the nutritious Juyce and its stinking recrements, like a certain Chymical mat∣ter, are digested within the Intestines, as it were within a Matrace; therefore Na∣ture, which best understands Chymistry, is very careful about the well-stopping the mouths of the Vessels.

From the same Nerve, viz. the last Vertebral, out of which a branch disperses fibres into the Sphincter of the Anus, two other Nerves proceed, which are carried into the Yard, Fig. 11. l. m. The greater of these, which is very large and long, is distributed into the nervous Body of it; the other lesser, into its Muscles. This mem∣ber, because it receives nerves only from the spinal Marrow, according to our Hypo∣thesis, ought to swell up and to be moved only at the spontaneous pleasure of the will: but that oftentimes, by reason of the swelling up of the Genital seed or humor, it is erected and blown up with Spirit, whether one will or no, that is caused chiefly for this reason, Because from this Vertebral pair, from whence the nerves of the Yard arise, a nervous process is stretched out into the Vertebral pair next above it: in which the infolding, placed in the Tunnel, imparting nerves to the Prostatae, is radicated, Fig. 11. I. K. into which infolding also a noted nerve from the intercostal pair is im∣planted. When therefore a communication is had between the Prostatae, which de∣pend much on the intercostal Nerves and the Yard, (by reason of the roots of either being joyned together by the nervous process) it comes to pass, that the action of this follows the affection of those parts: but those parts, viz. the Prostatae, are apt to be moved not only by the turgescency of the Seed, but also by the passage of the intercostal Nerve are wont to be irritated with too unseasonable an action, according to the impressions made by the Senses or the Brain; into the consent of which pre∣sently the Yard is excited.

Concerning the Nerves which belong to the Testicles, here is not much to be spo∣ken; for we have often sought in vain for a great company of nervous passages in them: I have very diligently searched sometimes in Man, also in a Fox, Dog, Calf, and likewise in a Boar and Monkey, but could never find belonging to them but one nerve carried from the Vertebral pair, which also for the most part is bestowed on the Cremasteral Muscle, Fig. 11. M. so that, although an excellent humor is pre∣pared within those parts, yet it doth not easily appear, that its matter is derived thi∣ther through the nerves; for we think the Genital humor is no more dispensed by Page  173 the nerves than the nutritious. For truly it seems, that the Arteries instil a spiri∣tuous liquor into the Testicles after the same manner as in the Brain; wherefore in their neighbourhood these sanguiferous Vessels being very much divaricated or spread abroad, are turned about into little serpentine chanels, whereby they subtilize the humor destinated to the Testicles, and insinuate it, having put off all thickness and Feculency, and being truly sublimated, into their substance; because there, as within the Cortex of the Brain, the spirituous liquor being imbued with a volatile Salt im∣planted in the part, passes into the most noble Clyssus, viz. the Genital humor. But here is not a place to discourse more largely of the nature and origine of the Seed: yet because it is commonly objected, That the Seed is made of the nervous Juyce and plenty of Spirits fetched from the Brain, and therefore a large expence of it doth induce quickly on the Brain and Nerves a great debility and enervation; I say, this comes to pass, because after great profusions of the Seed, for the restauration of the same humor, (of which Nature is more solicitous than for the benefit of the individual) presently greater Tributes of the spirituous Liquor are required from the blood to be laid up into the Testicles: wherefore the Brain is made languid, being defrauded of its due stock and afflux of the same spirituous liquor; and the Spirits influencing it and the nervous System, because they are deficient in the Fountain it self, are very much depauperated and become flagging. Besides we may add, That the animal Spi∣rits also which actuate the Prostatae coming from the spinal Marrow, are consumed about the Venereal acts very much; so that the Loyns are also enervated for this reason.