2.17 On the Passage of Yolk into the Intestines of the Chick

Abstract

Many are the rare discoveries this age has produced in the field of anatomy, and if these were to be accounted monsters, anatomy would not yield first place to Africa in its numerous brood of prodigies. And why should you not when they are so closely related to the monstrous? There are some that merit exhibition to everyone because their novelty excites wonder, and there is no dearth of those displaying real abnormity in that they violate the ordinary laws of nature, but very often it is the impetuosity of the observer that invents a monstrosity when there is nothing abnormal in reality.

A Letter Addressed to PAUL BARBETTE,

Most Renowned and Experienced Physician

OPH 17, vol. I, 211– 218: “De vitelli in intestina pulli transitu epistola”. The observation on which this treatise is based must have been made after Steno’s return, to Copenhagen in the spring of 1664, and before the June 12 (old style), the date of the treatise. It was published together with the two previous Treatises (XV and XVI) in Nicolai Stenonis de musculis & glandulis observationum specimen … Hafniae 1664. Further annotations by Vilhelm Maar are found in the transcripts, www.extras.springer.com. OPH 17 was translated and annotated by Margaret Tallmadge May in Journal of History of Medicine and Allied Sciences 1950; 5, pp. 119–143, with a postscrip, 338). Translation reproduced with the permission by the publisher.