Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/44

 to him, and he describes how in the course of experiments in anatomy, which they at this time carried out together, 'he had satisfied himself of the circulation of the blood, and the freshly discovered receptaculum chyli, made by the influence of the venæ lacteæ; and had seen, especially in the dissection of fishes, more of the variety of the contrivances of Nature and the majesty and wisdom of her author, than all the books he ever read in his life could give him convincing notions of.'

Dr. Petty had not been long at his official post before, to quote his own words, he observed 'the vast and needless expense of medicaments, and how the Apothecary-General of the army, with his three assistants, did not spend their time to the best advantage: and forthwith to the content of all persons concerned, with the State's bare disbursement of 120l., he did save them 500l. per annum of their former charge; and furnished the army, hospitals, garrisons and headquarters, with medicaments, without the least noise or trouble, reducing that affair,' as he claimed, 'to a state of easiness and plainness which before was held a mystery, and the vexation of such as laboured to administer it well.'

A more important task, however, than the reorganisation of the medical service of the army was before him, and one which determined the future course of his life.

The Civil War was over, and Ireland lay prostrate under the heel of the conquerors. 'It was hoped that it would be possible to regulate, replant, and reduce the country to its former flourishing condition;' and the Lord Deputy Fleetwood resolved to call on Dr. Petty to bring his scientific attainments and organising powers to aid in the vast undertaking.