AN ANATOMICAL STUDY ON THE 



flows through them into the hand, as when a medium 

 bandage is used, but otherwise not, with a tight 

 ligature, except above it. Meanwhile, the veins 

 being compressed, nothing can flow through them. 

 This is indicated by the fact that they are much 

 more swollen below the bandage than above it, 

 or than is usual with it removed, and that while 

 compressed they carry nothing under the ligature 

 to the parts above. So it is clear that the bandage 

 prevents the return of blood through the veins to 

 the parts above it and keeps those below it engorged. 



The arteries, however, for the simple reason 

 that they are not blocked by the moderate ligature, 

 carry blood beyond it from the inside of the body 

 by the power and impulse of the heart. This is 

 the difference between a tight and medium bandage, 

 the former not only blocks the flow of blood in the 

 veins but also in the arteries, the latter does not 

 impede the pulsating force from spreading beyond 

 the ligature and carrying blood to the extremities of 

 the body. 



One may reason as follows. Below a medium 

 bandage we see the veins become swollen and gorged 

 and the hand filled with blood. This must be caused 

 by blood passing under the ligature either in veins, 

 arteries or tiny pores. It cannot come through 

 the veins, certainly not through invisible ducts, so 

 it must flow through the arteries, according to what 

 has been said. It obviously cannot flow through 

 the veins since the blood cannot be squeezed back 



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