90 CIRCULATION OF THE BLOOD. 



of healthy and well- constituted bodies contributes essentially to 

 the advancement of philosophy and sound physiology, so does 

 the inspection of diseased and cachectic subjects powerfully as- 

 sist philosophical pathology. And, indeed, the physiological 

 consideration of the things which are according to nature is to 

 be first undertaken by medical men; since that which is in 

 conformity with nature is right, and serves as a rule both to 

 itself and to that which is amiss ; by the light it sheds, too, aber- 

 rations and affections against nature are defined; pathology 

 then stands out more clearly ; and from pathology the use and 

 art of healing, as well as occasions for the discovery of many 

 new remedies, are perceived. Nor could any one readily ima- 

 gine how extensively internal organs are altered in diseases, 

 especially chronic diseases, and what monstrosities among in- 

 ternal parts these diseases engender. So that I venture to say, 

 that the examination of a single body of one who has died of 

 tabes or some other disease of long standing, or poisonous na- 

 ture, is of more service to medicine than the dissection of the 

 bodies of ten men who have been hanged. 



I would not have it supposed by this that I in any way dis- 

 approve of the purpose of Riolanus, that learned and skilful 

 anatomist ; on the contrary, I think it deserving of the highest 

 praise, as likely to be extremely useful to medicine, inasmuch 

 as it illustrates the physiological branch of this science ; but I 

 have thought that it would scarcely turn out less profitable to 

 the art of healing, did I place before the eyes of my readers 

 not only the places, but the affections of these places, illustrat- 

 ing them as I proceed with observations, and recording the 

 results of my experience derived from my numerous dissections. 



But it is imperative on me first to dispose of those observa- 

 tions contained in the work referred to, which bear upon the 

 circulation of the blood as discovered by me, and which seem to 

 require especial notice at my hands. For the judgment of such 

 a man, who is indeed the prince and leader of all the anato- 

 mists of the present age, in such a matter, is not to be lightly 

 esteemed, but is rather to be held of greater weight and autho- 

 rity, either for praise or blame, than the commendations or 

 censure of all the world besides. 



Riolanus, then, admits our motion of the blood in animals, 1 

 1 Enchiridion, lib. iii, cap. 8. 



