William Harvey

1
William Harvey

• Born in England, 1578
• Studied at Univ. of Pauda
• Discovered circulation of blood
• Disputed Galens theory on blood in body
• Died in 1657

2
Education

• Son of Governor Thomas Harvey
• Attended Kings School in at Folkstone
• Studied art and medicine at Gonville and Caius
  College
• Attained physician training at Pauda, the leading
  European Medical School
• Student of Fabrici and Cremonini

3
Discovery

• Was taught in school that blood flowed from the
  head over the same route, and remained still in
  the body
• William was very curious about the function of
  tiny flaps in heart and other vessels
• Investigated by operating on many live animals
• Presented his theory that blood circulates in the
  body like a river with no end

4

• Said flap like structures were valves, prevented
  blood from flowing backwards
• Wrote about his views in De motu cordis
• Disputed Galens theory, who believed blood stood
  in body like the sea
• Criticized at first, but views were proven and
  accepted shortly

5
Other Accomplishments

• Published all his theories in the heavily
  criticized Exercitatio anatomica de motu cordis
  et sanguinis in animalibus
• Waited 13 years after discovery to publish his
  works because they disputed Galen, no one had
  dared to dispute him before
• Was physician to both King James and King Charles