William Harvey’s contribution to the history of medicine

untrue through his firsthand observations of human and animal dissections. In 1628, Harvey published "An Anatomical Study of the Motion of the Heart and of the Blood in Animals". It explained how blood was pumped from the heart throughout the body, then returned to the heart and re-circulated. The views this book expressed were very controversial and lost Harvey many patients, but it became the basis for all modern research on the heart and blood vessels. Earlier theories were refuted and Harvey's theory was advanced and has held firm ever since.A second groundbreaking book published by Harvey in 1651, "Essays on the Generation of Animals" is considered the basis for modern embryology.The one thing Harvey could never figure out, though recognized it took place, was how the blood transferred form the arteries to the veins. The riddle was solved a few years after Harvey's death by a professor called Marcello Malpighi, who saw through the newly invented microscope, the capillary network.The major difference between Harvey and his predecessors was methodology. Nothing was recorded in his fact book unless tested and he would readily remove it if it did not bear out on a re-test. Harvey went beyond more superficial observation; and, he took deliberate steps so as not to be hampered by superstition or antiquated theories. Harvey was the first to adopt the scientific method for the solution of biological problems. Every true scientist ever since has followed Harvey's approach.Harvey's method of working, extremely thorough and precise, was also a good example to set to people working in the same field as him. He encouraged others to investigate other people's theories, possibly to prove that they are not always right.Despite the uproar over each of Harvey's unconventional anatomical theories, he was recognized as a medical leader in his day. He was doctor to King Charles I and due to his success as a physician, Harvey was also court physician to both James I and Charles I. He was also appointed doctor of physic at Oxford University. At the time of his death in 1657, Harvey's medical and scientific genius was celebrated throughout the European medical community. How far do you think his work was influenced by the ideas of the Renaissance and/or the Scientific Revolution? I think that both the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution would have influenced the work of William Harvey.The invention of new things, which came with the Scientific Revolution, would have helped William Harvey with his studies, enabling him to examine things in greater detail and therefore gain more accurate and detailed results.The telescope was invented during this period of time and so was the microscope, which helped with performing dissections a great deal. By using the microscope, Harvey was able to make some of his most important discoveries.Another new invention influenced Harvey's work was the water pump. He was able to compare the pump to the human heart and by doing this he was able to show people the precise mechanics of the heart. This made it much easier for people to understand how the human heart operated and pumped blood around the body.Books were printed from around 1450 onwards; John Gutenberg invented the process. This made it easier by far for Harvey to inform people about his work and theories. The printing press meant that books could be produced in bulk relatively easily rather than having to be individually produced and hand-written. Books were the ideal way for Harvey to spread his ideas.Books were also very helpful to William Harvey when he studied at university and was able to read about the work of Galen. This was what led him to disproving Galen's theory about the action of the heart and developing new ones of his own. During the Renaissance, illustration developed and the quality of it improved. With improved drawings, more accurate scientific diagrams could be produced and this enabled people to better understand scientific theories through pictures.In conclusion, it is my opinion that both the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution influenced the work of William Harvey and enabled him to produce better and more detailed scientific research.