ABSTRACT
Until the middle of the XVIth century physiology and anatomy remained much as taught by Galen, an outline, or skeleton, unclothed by detail. Physicians studied in the works of the sage of Pergamus treatises on the faculties, on the mind, on the natural faculties, on the use of the parts and on anatomical subjects. To these they added the study of Aristotle’s De anima, and also the theory of the Thomists and the Scotists concerning the soul. Indeed, they obtained knowledge wherever it could be found. The various compilers of Institutes (and Fernel especially, whose influence was so great) did an immense service to medicine by bringing together all this knowledge in one body. We must therefore now turn to the writings of Fernel, because they contain the best physiological knowledge of the time.
