This introduction covers Setting the Scene within Harvey and Circulation for GCSE History. Revise Harvey and Circulation in Medicine Through Time for GCSE History with 8 exam-style questions and 5 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 1 of 11 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 1 of 11
Practice
8 questions
Recall
5 flashcards
📖 Setting the Scene
For 1,400 years, doctors believed Galen's theory: blood was made in the liver, flowed to organs where it was "used up," and new blood was constantly produced. In 1628, English physician William Harvey proved this was completely wrong. Through careful experiments — tying off veins, measuring heart output — he showed that the same blood circulates around the body, pumped by the heart. The liver couldn't possibly make enough blood to match what the heart pumped. It was one of the most important discoveries in medical history.