Exercitatio Anatomica de Motu Cordis et Sanguinis in Animalibus

Exercitatio Anatomica de Motu Cordis et Sanguinis in Animalibus (An Anatomical Exercise on the Motion of the Heart and Blood in Living Beings) is a seminal scientific text written by William Harvey in 1628. It is often cited as one of the most significant works in the history of physiology and the study of cardiovascular systems. Harvey's work fundamentally changed the understanding of blood circulation within the body, challenging the prevailing theories of Galen, which had dominated for nearly 1,500 years.

Background

Before Harvey, the prevailing theory, as proposed by Galen, was that blood was continuously produced by the liver, consumed by the body's tissues, and did not circulate but rather ebbed and flowed in a to-and-fro motion through the body's veins and arteries. Harvey's observations and experiments led him to propose that blood circulated around the body, pumped by the heart through a closed system of veins and arteries. This was a radical departure from the accepted beliefs of the time.

Content and Discoveries

The Exercitatio Anatomica de Motu Cordis et Sanguinis in Animalibus is divided into several chapters, each detailing different aspects of the cardiovascular system and Harvey's experiments. Key findings in the book include:

• The heart works as a pump to circulate the blood throughout the body.
• The blood moves in a continuous circuit, flowing from the heart to the periphery of the body and back again.
• The existence of valves in the veins, which ensure the unidirectional flow of blood.
• Quantitative arguments regarding the volume of blood that passes through the heart, arguing against the possibility of it being consumed by the body as Galen had proposed.

Impact

Harvey's work laid the foundation for modern cardiology and physiology. It challenged the authority of ancient texts and emphasized the importance of empirical evidence and experimentation in the study of anatomy and physiology. The publication of De Motu Cordis marked a significant shift in the scientific method, moving away from reliance on ancient texts towards observation and experimentation.

Legacy

The impact of Harvey's work extends beyond the field of medicine. It is seen as a pivotal moment in the history of science, illustrating the shift towards modern scientific methodology. Harvey's insistence on empirical evidence and his methodical approach to disproving Galen's theories on blood circulation are often cited as early examples of the application of the scientific method.

See Also

• History of anatomy
• Cardiovascular system
• Scientific revolution