126 Circulation of the Blood 



admits the first, manifestly cannot refuse to acknow- 

 ledge the others. How indeed could he who has 

 repeatedly asserted a circulation through the general 

 system and the greater vessels, deny a circulation in 

 the branches continuous with these vessels, or in the 

 several parts of the second and third regions ? as if all 

 the veins, and those he calls greater circulatory vessels, 

 were not enumerated by every anatomist, and by him- 

 self, as being within the second region of the body. Is 

 it possible that there can be a circulation which is 

 universal, and which yet does not extend through every 

 part ? Where he denies it, then, he does so hesitatingly, 

 and vacillates between negations, giving us mere words. 

 Where he asserts the circulation, on the contrary, he 

 speaks out heartily, and gives sufficient reasons, as 

 becomes a philosopher ; and then, when he relies on 

 this opinion in a particular instance, he delivers himself 

 like an experienced physician and honest man, and, in 

 opposition to Galen and his favourite Fernelius, advises 

 blood-letting as the chief remedy in dangerous diseases 

 of the lungs. 



No learned man and Christian, having doubts in such 

 a cause, would have recommended his experience to 

 posterity, to the imminent risk, and even loss of human 

 life ; neither would he, without very sufficient reasons, 

 have repudiated the authority of Galen and Fernelius, 

 which has usually such weight with him. Whatever he 

 has denied in the circulation of the blood, therefore, 

 whether with reference to the mesentery or any other 

 part, and with an eye to the lacteal veins or the ancient 

 system of physic, or any other consideration, must be 

 ascribed to his courtesy and modesty, and is to be 

 excused. 



Thus far, I think, it appears plain enough, from the 

 very words and arguments of our author, that there is a 

 circulation everywhere ; that the blood, wherever it is, 

 changes its place, and by the veins returns to the heart ; 

 so that our learned author seems to be of the same 



