Wright introduces the story in the theatre at the University of Altdorf in Nuremberg, Germany, where physician William Harvey explicitly demonstrates his theory of blood circulation in living organisms that the blood travels through the body in a circular motion. Wright gives a brief description of Harvey, describing him as an energetic …show more content…
Wright asserts that Harvey’s theory would create havoc in the medical system. Wright notes that Harvey was a “divisive” figure, who caused disagreement and hostility between people about his theory. Because of this, Harvey received many praises from poets and economists, and also criticisms from the physicians and anatomists about his theory. For example, anatomist James Primrose dedicated his own book to slander Harvey’s theory, calling them “radical ideas” since he recognized how serious Harvey was. Wright understands Primroses’ attitude towards Harvey’s theory because the theory was ridiculous with the way Harvey experimented with a diverse group of animals and how he fabricated the amount of blood that was discharged. In the Anatomical Exercitations Concerning the Circulation of the Blood, Harvey objects to the criticisms, saying that they are unavoidable, comparing his critics to mad dogs as they spout unnecessary statements against his theory, and that his critics just cannot fathom the truth of his theory. Wright comments on how Anatomical Exercitations “indicated Harvey’s hard efforts” and helped Harvey promote his theory across Europe, where he occasionally provides public presentations on his theory to the