Page:The Works of William Harvey (part 2 of 2).djvu/80

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perforation in the left ventricle ; so that a quantity of water, equal to that which was pressed from the bladder into the lungs at each effort, instantly escaped by the perforation men- tioned. You may try this experiment as often as you please ; the result you will still find to be as I have stated it.

With this one experiment you may easily put an end to all Riolanus's altercations on the matter, to which he, nevertheless, so entirely trusts, that, without adducing so much as a single experiment in support of his views, he has been led to invent a new circulation, and even so far to commit himself as to say that, unless the old doctrine of the circulation 1 be overturned, his own is inadmissible. We may pardon this distinguished individual for not having sooner discovered a hidden truth ; but that he, so well skilled in anatomy as he is, should obsti- nately contend against a truth illustrated by the clearest light of reason, this surely is argument of his envy let me not call it by any worse name. But, perhaps, we are still to find an excuse for Riolanus, and to say, that what he has written is not so much of his own motion, as in discharge of the duties of his office, and with a view to stand well with his colleagues. As Dean of the College of Paris, he was bound to see the physic of Galen kept in good repair, and to admit no novelty into the school, without the most careful winnowing, lest, as he says, the precepts and dogmata of physic should be dis- turbed, and the pathology which has for so many years ob- tained the sanction of all the learned in assigning the causes of disease, be overthrown. He has been playing the part of the advocate, therefore, rather than of the practised anatomist. But, as Aristotle tells us, it is not less absurd to expect demonstrative arguments from the advocate, than it is to look for persuasive arguments from the demonstrator or teacher. For the sake of the old friendship subsisting between us, moreover, and the high praise which he has lavished on the doctrine of the circulation, I cannot find it in my heart to say anything severe of Riolanus.

I therefore return to you, most learned Slegel, and say, that

I wish greatly I had been so full and explicit in what I have

said on the subject of anastomosis in my disquisition to

Riolanus, as would have left you with no doubts or scruples

1 Harvey's Doctrine. ED.

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