Kent Past
The History of Kent
Copyright Kent Past 2010
Why were William Harvey’s discoveries rejected?
By Susana Sidders
Although, William Harvey (1578-
William Harvey, who was born in Folkestone
on 1 April 1578, concentrated his work on Physiology (how the body works) rather
than the cause of illness or treatment. His work had little relevance to that of
physicians and the problems of disease.
At this time, the church was strong and controlled
much of medicine and its treatments. The church believed that Galen was right, and
the consequence of disagreement was to be classed as a heretic and be burned at the
stake.
Harvey was a very curious man and carried out a number of dissections. Refusing
to accept traditional beliefs at face value, he took a scientific approach, and carried
out his own experiments. Many disagreed with dissection, believing the dead should
be given Christian burials.
Physicians, who had used Galen’s ideas, such as purging
or bleeding, for just about everything, would have faced ruin, if they had to admit
to being wrong. By accepting Harvey’s discoveries, all of Galen’s ideas could be
brought into disrepute.
The cost of exchanging Galen’s books and equipment used in
his remedies to that of Harvey’s, often unproven theories, was also prohibitive.
Harvey was prevented from proving many of his theories through a lack of technology,
for example, the microscope had not been invented at that time.
Unfortunately, whilst
Harvey was ultimately proved to be right, at the time he had little impact on treatments.
Leave your email address to receive Kent Past Times free every month