CHAPTER XIV 



CONCLUSION OF THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE 



CIRCULATION 



AND now I may be allowed to give in brief my view 

 of the circulation of the blood, and to propose it for 

 general adoption. 



Since all things, both argument and ocular demon- 

 stration, show that the blood passes through the lungs 

 and heart by the action of the [auricles and] ventricles, 

 and is sent for distribution to all parts of the body, 

 where it makes its way into the veins and pores of the 

 flesh, and then flows by the veins from the circum- 

 ference on every side to the centre, from the lesser to 

 the greater veins, and is by them finally discharged into 

 the vena cava and right auricle of the heart, and this in 

 such a quantity or in such a flux and reflux thither by the 

 arteries, hither by the veins, as cannot possibly be sup- 

 plied by the ingesta, and is much greater than can be 

 required for mere purposes of nutrition ; it is absolutely 

 necessary to conclude that the blood in the animal body 

 is impelled in a circle, and is in a state of ceaseless 

 motion ; that this is the act or function which the heart 

 performs by means of its pulse ; and that it is the 

 sole and only end of the motion and contraction of the 

 heart. 



