Harvey, William, 1578-1657; Physicians -- England -- Biography
Harvey's lectures at the College of Physicians were probably given
with similar ceremony to those just described. His first course was
delivered on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, April 16, 17, and
18, 1616. On the following Tuesday, April 23rd, Shakespeare died at
Stratford-on-Avon, and on the succeeding Thursday, April 25th, he was
buried in the chancel of the parish church.
At the beginning of his lectures Harvey lays down the following
excellent canons for his guidance, of which the sixth seems to indicate
that he was acquainted with the works of John of Arderne--
1. To show as much as may be at a glance, the whole belly for
instance, and afterwards to subdivide the parts according to their
position and relations.
2. To point out what is peculiar to the actual body which is being
dissected.
3. To supply only by speech what cannot be shown on your own credit
and by authority.
4. To cut up as much as may be in the sight of the audience.
5. To enforce the right opinion by remarks drawn from far and near,
and to illustrate man by the structure of animals according to
the Socratic rule [given by Aristotle and affixed as an extract
to the title-page of the lectures[3]]. To bring in points beyond
mere anatomy in relation to the causes of diseases, and the general
study of nature with the object of correcting mistakes and of
elucidating the use and actions of parts for the use of anatomy to
the physician is to explain what should be done in disease.
6. Not to praise or dispraise other anatomists, for all did well,
and there was some excuse even for those who are in error.
7. Not to dispute with others, or attempt to confute them, except
by the most obvious retort, for three days is all too short a time
[to complete the work in hand].
8. To state things briefly and plainly, yet not letting anything
pass unmentioned which can be seen.
9. Not to speak of anything which can be as well explained without
the body or can be read at home.
10. Not to enter into too much detail, or into too minute a
dissection, for the time does not permit.
11. To serve in their three courses according to the glass (_i.e._,
to allot a definite time to each part of the body). In the first
day's lectures the abdomen, nasty, yet recompensed by its infinite
variety. In the second day's lecture the parlour [_i.e._, the
thorax?]. In the third day's lecture the divine banquet of the
brain.
Harvey adheres pretty closely in his visceral lecture to the programme
which he had thus laid down for his own guidance.
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