580 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 



(23-79 A.D.), a Roman general, compiled a great work of 37 volumes in 

 which he undertook to bring together all of the knowledge of the time, 

 but in this work facts were so inextricably confused with legendary matter 

 and superstitions of all sorts that it was practically worthless. Through- 

 out this period authority reigned supreme and curious conceptions held 

 sway, including the belief that man had one less rib than a woman, since, 

 according to the biblical account, one rib had been taken from Adam to 

 create Eve. Another curious belief was in a resurrection bone which 

 was believed to be the foundation from which the new body was to be 

 developed after resurrection from the dead. Scientific observation had 



Fig. 397. — William Harvey, 1578-1657. {From Shull, "Principles of Animal Biology," 

 after Garrison, "History of Medicine," and by the courtesy of McGraw-Hill Book Company, 

 Inc.) 



given way to speculation. It is interesting to note, however, that during 

 this time the evolutionary conception was kept alive through the influ- 

 ence of members of the church, although it was, at the same time, the 

 influence of the church which led to this overemphasis on authority. 



625. Vesalius. — The first name that stands out during the Renaissance 

 is that of Vesalius (1514-1564), a Belgian anatomist (Fig. 396) who defied 

 authority and grounded his human anatomy on the dissection of the 

 human body. He thus effected a great reform in anatomical teaching, 

 which up to that time had been based entirely upon the works of Galen. 

 Vesalius gave a detailed description, with illustrations, of the veins and 

 arteries and knew that they came close together peripherally but con- 

 sidered each separate from the other. He believed that in each there 



