Boyle, Robert New experiments physico-mechanicall, touching the spring of the air and its effects 1660

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341
ance to its Spring then elsewhere. And
this brings into my minde that strange
Observation of Nicolaus Fontanus, a Phy­

sitian at Amsterdam, who testifies, That
in a Boy of the same Town, four years
old, there was found, instead of Lungs, a
certain Membranous Bladder; which be­
ing fill'd with Wind, and furnish'd with
little Veins, had its origination from the
Wind-Pipe it self; which being suppos'd
true, how well it will agree with most of
the Opinions touching Respiration, I leave
to be considered.

Fontanus >
apud Bar­
tholin: lib.
2. cap. 9.

And thus may the grand Objection of
Bartholine, and others, be answered: But
I leave to Anatomists to consider what is
to be said to some Observations that seem
to contradict those Anatomical Experi­
ments already mention'd: Such was par­
ticularly that which I remember I have
read in Sennertus (from the observation of
his Father-in-law Schato) of a Melancho­
ly Student, who having stabb'd himself,
and pierced the Diaphragme in the thinner
or tendonous part (call'd by many the
Nervous Circle) lived seven Moneths af­
ter he had so wounded himself, though af­
ter his death (preceded by violent Vomit-