The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 20 · Section 19
Physicians.
ROBERT FLOID, who by himself is latined Robertus de Fluctibus, was born in this County, and that of a Knightly Family, as I am informed, bred (as I take it) in Oxford, and beyond the Seas. A deep Philosopher, and great Physician, who at last fixed his habitation in Fan-Church-Street, London. He was of the Order of the Rosa-Crucians, and I must confesse my self ignorant of the first Founder and Sanctions thereof, perchance none know it, but those that are of it. Sure I am, that a Rose is the sweetest of Flowers, and a Cross accounted the sacredest of forms or figures, so that much of eminency must be imported in their composition.
His Books written in Latine are great, many and mystical. The last some impute to his Charity, clouding his high matter with dark language, left otherwise the lustre thereof should dazle the understanding of the Reader. The same phrases he used to his Patients, and seeing conceit is very contributive to the well working of Physick, their fancy or faith-natural was much advanced by his elevated expressions.
His works are for the English to sleight or admire, for French and Forraigners to understand and use: not that I account them more judicious than our own Countrymen, but more inquiring into such difficulties. The truth is, here at home his Books are beheld not so good as Chrystal, which (some say) are prized as precious pearls beyond the Seas. But I conclude all with the Character, which my worthy (though concealed) Friend thus wrote upon him. Lucubrationibus quas solebat edere profusissimas semper visus est plus sumere laboris, quam Populares nostri volebant fructum, quia hunc fere negligebant, prae tedio legendi, & prejudicio quodam oleam perdendi operamque, ob CABALAM, quam scripta ejus dicebantur olere magis quam PERIPATUM, & ob ferventius hominis ingenium, in quo plerique requirebant Judicium. He died on the eighth of September, Anno Dom. 1637.
WILLIAM HARVEY, Son of Thomas Harvey, was born at Folkston in this County. His Father had a Week of Sons; whereof this William bred to learning, was the eldest; his other brethren being bound Apprentices in London, and all at last ended in effect in Merchants. They got great Estates, and made their Father the Treasurer thereof, who being as skilful to purchase Land, as they to gain Money▪ kept, employed, and improved their gainings to their great advantage; so that he survived to see the meanést of them, of far greater estate than himself.
Our William was bred in Caius Colledge in Cambridge, where he proceeded Doctor of Physick. Five years also he studied at Padua, making a good Composition of Forraign and Domestick learning: So that afterwards he was (for many years) Physician to King Charles the First. And not only Doctor Medecinae, but Doctor Medicorum.
For this was he that first found out the Circulation of the Blood; an opinion which entred into the World with great disadvantages. For first, none will be acquainted with strangers at the first sight, as persons generally suspected; as if to be unknown, were part of being guilty. Secondly, the Grandees of this Profession were of the opposite judgement, heavy enough without any Argument to overlay (and so to stifle) any Infant opinion by their Authority.
But, Truth, though it may be questioned for a Vagrant, carrieth a Passport along with it for its own vindication. Such have since shaken friendly hands with Doctor Harvey, which at first tilted Pens against him. And amongst the rest Riolanus that learned Physician, if not Ambabus ulnis, with one Arm at the least doth embrace his opinion, and partly consent thereunto.
This Doctor, though living a Batchelor, may be said to have left three hopeful Sons to posterity; his Books,
1. De circulatione sanguinis, which I may call his Son and Heir; the Doctor living to see it at full age, and generally received.
2. De generatione, as yet in its minority; but, I assure you growing up apace into publick credit.
3. De Ovo, as yet in the nonage thereof, but infants may be men in due time.
It must not be forgotten, that this Doctor had made a good progresse, to lay down a Practice of Physick, conformable to his Thesis, of the Circulation of Blood; but was plundered of his Papers in our Civil War: Unhappy dissentions, which not onelyonly murdered many then alive; but may be said by this, (call it mischief or mischante) to have destroyed more not yet born, whose Diseases might have been either prevented or removed, if his worthy pains had come forth into the Publick: And I charitably presume, that grateful posterity will acknowledge the improvements of this opinion, as Superstructures on his Foundation; and thankfully pay the fruit to his memory, who watered, planted, (not to say made) the root of this discovery.
He hath since been a second Linaore and great Benefactor to the Colledge of Physicians in London, where his Statue stands with this Inscription.
GULIELMO HARVEO VIRO Monumentis suis immortali Hoc insuper Coll. Med. London. posuit. Qui enim Sanguin. motum (Ut & Animal. ortum) dedit Meruit esse Stator perpetuus.
He died in the eightieth year of his Age, June 3. Anno Dom. 1657.