In order to explain dispersal of food from alimentary
canal _viâ_ the veins (_anadosis_) there is no need to
invoke with Erasistratus, the _horror vacui_, since here
again the principle of specific attraction is operative;
moreover, blood is also driven forward by the
compressing action of the stomach and the contractions
of the veins. Possibility, however, of Erasistratus's
factor playing a certain minor _rôle_.
Chapter II
The Erasistratean idea that bile becomes separated out
from the blood in the liver because, being the thinner
fluid, it alone can enter the narrow stomata of the
bile-ducts, while the thicker blood can only enter the
wider mouths of the hepatic venules.
Chapter III
The morphological factors suggested by Erasistratus are
quite inadequate to explain biological happenings.
Erasistratus inconsistent with his own statements. The
immanence of the _physis_ or nature; her shaping is not
merely external like that of a statuary, but involves
the entire substance. In genesis (embryogeny) the semen
is the active, and the menstrual blood the passive,
principle. Attractive, alterative, and formative
faculties of the semen. Embryogeny is naturally followed
by growth; these two functions distinguished.
Chapter IV
Unjustified claim by Erasistrateans that their founder
had associations with the Peripatetic (Aristotelian)
school. The characteristic physiological tenets of that
school (which were all anticipated by Hippocrates) in no
way agree with those of Erasistratus, save that both
recognize the purposefulness of Nature; in practice,
however, Erasistratus assumed numerous exceptions to
this principle. Difficulty of understanding why he
rejected the biological principle of attraction in
favour of anatomical factors.
Chapter V
A further difficulty raised by Erasistratus's statement
regarding secretion of bile in the liver.
Chapter VI
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account