Galen of Pergamum (130-200)

Galen of Pergamum (130-200)

By: Vanessa Gordey

Curricular Fit: Biology 20, Unit 4: Energy and Matter Exchange by the Human Organism

For fourteen hundred years it was believed that the blood moved from the right side of the heart to the left side of the heart through pores between the ventricles. This theory was the work of the philosopher and scientist Galen of Pergamum (130-200), who also believed that the active phase of the heart was dilation, and this dilation caused the intake of air. Another aspect of Galen’s popular theory predicted that blood was continuously synthesized in the liver from digested food. It wasn’t until the early sixteen hundreds that William Harvey (1578-1657), an English physician, began to paint a more accurate picture of the true function of the heart and movement of the blood. Tireless in his research, he is said to have dissected almost every kind of living organism to learn as much as he could about pathology. One of Harvey’s greatest contributions to science was his discovery of the true nature of circulation. He proved that it is the contractions of the heart that moves blood through the body, and that, blood moves in a continuous circulation throughout the body. Meaning, Harvey proved that the beating of the heart, a muscle, moves blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs then to the left side of the heart and out to the body.

By attempting to put forth his theory, Harvey faced insurmountable criticism and ridicule from most of his fellow colleagues. Though many of his research papers were destroyed his lecture notes survived. This resistance was understandable since it contradicted fourteen hundred years of Galenism. It was not until the late eighteen hundreds and early nineteen hundreds that Harvey’s theories were supported among physicians and scientists alike. The only aspect of circulation, as we now understand it, that Harvey failed to prove is the existence of the tiny capillaries that join the arteries and the veins. This is only because he could not see them, the microscope had not yet been invented! Though in his time Harvey’s theories seemed ridiculous, the years have proven him correct and earned him a place among the greatest scientists in history.

Questions

1. Why do you suppose it took two hundred years for scientists to accept Harvey’s theory of circulation, even though he was correct?

2. How do you think Harvey proved his theory of circulation? Could he have done something different to make others believe him?

3. Why do you suppose scientists supported Galen’s theories for hundreds of years?

4. What do you think happened that finally allowed scientists to accept Harvey’s circulation theory?

5. Where do you think science and medicine would be today if it weren’t for scientists such as Galen and Harvey?

References

Encyclopedia Britannica. (1999). Harvey, William, Biography. [on line]. Available: www.britannica.com

Keele, Kenneth, D. 1965. William Harvey: The man, the physician, and the scientist. Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd. Great Britian.

Keynes, Geoffrey. 1966. The Life of William Harvey. Oxford University Press. Great Britian.

Magner, Lois, N. 1994. A History of the Life Sciences. 2^nd Ed. Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, New York.

Pagel, Walter. 1976. New Light on William Harvey. S. Karger AG, Basel (Switzerland), Arnold-Bocklin-Strauss 25. Switzerland.

Weisstein, E.W., and Wolfram Research Inc. (1996-2000). Eric Weisstein’s Treasure Trove of Scientific Biography: Harvey, William (1578-1657). [on line]. Available: www.treasure-troves.com/bios