Page:The advancement of science by experimental research - the Harveian oration, delivered at the Royal College of Physicians, June 27th, 1883 (IA b24869958).pdf/21

17 stance connected with his history is, that his countrymen have, after his death, attempted to prove that he knew more than he ever dreamt of during his life; he knew the pulmonary circulation, but adhered to the doctrines of Galen, and believed that the blood had a to and fro motion in the vessels; it is considered by those who have given him the honor to which he was never entitled, that Caesalpinus knew the circulation, because he found that when a ligature was ap- plied the veins swelled beyond it; but he explained the phenomenon by stating that the blood sought to return to the heart in its wonted direction.

My predecessor, Dr. Johnson has, I believe, fully shewn that the claims of Caesalpinus are without adequate founda- tion; and, whilst we would give all the cre- dit that is due to the talents and researches of Caesalpinus, we cannot find any warrant for the statements that Harvey obtained. from him the knowledge of the circulation. The truths that had been ascertained were the result of direct experiment and exact