Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/268

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228
Reflections upon

wholly subservient to that single Use, of Freeing the Blood from its superfluous Serum.

What has been done by Modern Anatomists, towards the Compleating of the Knowledge of the remaining Parts, I shall omit. That the Ancients likewise took Pains about them, is evident from the Writings of Hippocrates, Aristotle and Galen. The Discoveries which have since been made are so great, that they are, in a manner, undisputed: And the Books which treat of them are so well known, that it will not be suspected that I decline to enlarge upon them, out of a Dread of giving up more to the Ancients in this Particular, than I have done all along.

The Discoveries hitherto mentioned, have been of those Parts of Humours of the Body, whose Existence was well enough known to the Ancients. But, besides them, other Humours, with Vessels to separate, contain, and carry them to several Parts of the Body, have been taken notice of; of which, in strictness, the Ancients cannot be said to have any sort of Knowledge. These are, the Lympha, or Colourless Juice, which is carried to the Chyle and Blood, from separate Parts of the Body: And the Muci-lage