The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2Browne, Thomas, Sir
Religion
The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2
Browne, Thomas, Sir
Christianity; Ethics; Religion and medicine
And therefore the brain, especially the spinal marrow, which is but the
brain prolonged, hath a fairer plea hereto; for these are the principles
of motion, wherein dextrality consists; and are divided within and
without the Crany. By which division transmitting Nerves respectively
unto either side; according to the indifferency, or original and native
prepotency, there ariseth an equality in both, or prevalency on either
side. And so may it be made out, what many may wonder at, why some most
actively use the contrary Arm and Leg; for the vigour of the one
dependeth upon the upper part of the spine, but the other upon the
lower.
And therefore many things are Philosophically delivered concerning
right and left, which admit of some suspension. That a Woman upon a
masculine conception advanceth her right Leg, will not be found to
answer strick observation. That males are conceived in the right side of
the womb, females in the left, though generally delivered, and supported
by ancient testimony, will make no infallible account; it happening oft
times that males and females do lie upon both sides, and Hermaphrodites
for ought we know on either. It is also suspitious what is delivered
concerning the right and left testicle, that males are begotten from the
one, and females from the other. For though the left seminal vein
proceedeth from the emulgent, and is therefore conceived to carry down a
serous and feminine matter; yet the seminal Arteries which send forth
the active materials, are both derived from the great Artery. Beside
this original of the left vein was thus contrived, to avoid the
pulsation of the great Artery, over which it must have passed to attain
unto the testicle. Nor can we easily infer such different effects from
the divers situation of parts which have one end and office; for in the
kidneys which have one office, the right is seated lower then the left,
whereby it lieth free, and giveth way unto the Liver. And therefore also
that way which is delivered for masculine generation, to make a strait
ligature about the left testicle, thereby to intercept the evacuation of
that part, deserveth consideration. For one sufficeth unto generation,
as hath been observed in semicastration, and oft times in carnous
ruptures. [SN: _How an Horse or Bull may generate after they be gelt._]
Beside, the seminal ejaculation proceeds not immediately from the
testicle, but from the spermatick glandules; and therefore _Aristotle_
affirms (and reason cannot deny) that although there be nothing diffused
from the testicles, an _Horse_ or _Bull_ may generate after castration;
that is, from the stock and remainder of seminal matter, already
prepared and stored up in the Prostates or grandules of generation.
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