Image Details
| Title: | Showing the heart with its vessels in its situation |
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| Description: | Thirteen images relating to the heart and blood circulation. Figures 1 and 2 (top left) show the heart and lungs, and the attached arteries and veins. Figure 9 shows the nerves attached to the lungs, and figure 13 shows the trachea (windpipe) and bronchi. The diaphragm is shown on figure 11. Figure 10 shows part of a mans body with the breastbone lifted up and the ribs turned aside to reveal the lungs and diaphragm. Figures 5 to 8 at the bottom of the page show the inside of the heart. The text that accompanies these images discusses the heart and the many debates at the time surrounding it. The heart is described in the traditional view as 'the sun of the microcosm, the principle of the actions of life, the fountain of heat and vital spirit' (p306). The discussions include whether it is an organ or a muscle, how and why it beats, and the evidence for circulation of the blood. On the debates over the system of circulation, the one suggested by the author is that the heart transforms chylus (a fatty substance from the intestines) into blood, and provides heat and vital spirit. The blood is then sent to the lungs, which cool the blood and condense it to remove some of the liquid. It is then sent back to the heart to be made more perfect and heated again, before being sent out to the body to provide nourishment and heat. Nourishing the body uses some of the blood up, and being away from the heart it cools down, so the blood returns to the heart where the system begins again. The volume this is taken from deals with the anatomy of the human body and cures for a range of diseases. The original was written in 1672 by a Dutch physician who gathered together recent discoveries and theory on anatomy. This translation was published by William Salmon, who appears to have made a living in a variety of ways, here claiming to be a physician while there is no evidence he gained the qualification. |
| Categories: | Anatomy, Anatomy/ Heart and blood vessels, Anatomy/ Respiratory system, Human figures and faces, Human figures and faces/ Man |
| Catalogue record: | |
| Date of original image publication: | 01/01/1689 |
| Colour: | Monochrome |
| Subject headings: | Cardiovascular system , Thorax , Anatomy , Viscera , Respiratory system |
| Rights : | Copyright Discovery Library 2008 |
| Publisher: | Discovery Library |