68 CIRCULATION OF THE BLOOD 



of the spirits or of the innate heat. " Whether or not the 

 heart," he says, " besides propelling the blood, giving it 

 movement and distributing it to the body, adds anything 

 else to it heat, spirit, perfection must be decided on 

 other grounds. So much may suffice at this time, when 

 it is shown that by the action of the heart the blood is 

 transfused through the ventricles from the veins to the 

 arteries, and distributed by them to all parts of the body." 

 A word may finally be added as to the reception of 

 Harvey's theory. On the whole he was fortunate in 

 meeting less opposition than most great innovators. In 

 the early years after the publication of his work, he might 

 reasonably have complained of neglect, but he met no very 

 great or embittered criticism. In spite of the dis- 

 belief of several eminent physiologists his views gained 

 ground, gradually and slowly it is true, but very surely 

 and steadily. He lived to have the rare pleasure of 

 seeing them generally accepted. 



