AN ANATOMICAL STUDY ON THE 



Finally, using greater care every day, with very 

 frequent experimentation, observing a variety of 

 animals, and comparing many observations, I felt 

 my way out of this labyrinth, and gained accurate 

 information, which I desired, of the motions and 

 functions of the heart and arteries. From that time 

 I have not hesitated to declare my thoughts on this 

 matter, not only in private to friends, but even publicly 

 in my anatomical lectures, as in the ancient Academy. 



As usual, these views pleased some, not others. 

 Some blamed me of wrong in daring to depart from 

 the precepts and faith of all anatomists. Others 

 wanted more information on these new ideas which 

 were thought worthy of interest and of possible value. 

 Finally I have consented to the requests of friends, 

 that anyone may be made acquainted with my work. 

 I have also been moved by the envy of some who, re- 

 ceiving my words blindly and with no understanding, 

 have tried to ridicule me in public. So I have decided 

 to publish my findings so all may form an opinion of 

 me and of the work itself. I am pleased to do this 

 since Hieronymus Fabricius of Aquapendente, al- 

 though he has correctly and in a scholarly manner 

 described almost all the parts of animals, has not 

 discussed the heart. 



Finally, if my work may be helpful to this phase of 

 literature, it may perhaps be granted that I have not 

 lived idly. As the old man in the comedy says:' 



3 Terrence, in Adelphi, Act V, Sc. IV, i (Demea). Harvey quotes 

 the Latin quite correctly. My unsatisfactory translation of the four 



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