Publication of Harvey's De Motu Cordis
- When
- 1628
- Where
- Frankfurt
- Episodes
- 1
In 1628, William Harvey published his treatise De Motu Cordis in Frankfurt, establishing the circulation of blood. The work combined observation and experiment, challenging Galenic doctrine and influencing contemporaries.
Episodes
Background and detail
Publication Context. Harvey published his completed treatise in Frankfurt in 1628, leveraging the city's annual book fair for immediate dispersion. The 72-page work presented his mature account of blood circulation, a doctrine he had lectured on since 1616.
Scientific Impact. The work is a landmark in physiology, combining observations, experiments, and measurements. It had immediate influence on contemporaries, with Thomas Hobbes noting Harvey was the only modern author whose doctrines were taught in his lifetime.
Medical Controversy. Harvey's discoveries conflicted with Galen's teachings. The publication incited considerable controversy within the medical community, marking a significant shift in anatomical and physiological understanding during the early 17th century.
People involved
- William Harvey · Author and Royal Physician
Sources
- Exercitatio Anatomica de Motu Cordis et Sanguinis in Animalibus Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-10
- William Harvey Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-02
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