De Motu Cordis (document)

"De Motu Cordis," written by William Harvey in 1628, is a foundational scientific work that explains how the human heart functions. Harvey described that the heart acts as a pump, circulating blood throughout the body via continuous contractions. He demonstrated that blood is constantly moved in a closed loop, challenging earlier beliefs about blood flow. This work laid the groundwork for modern physiology by clarifying the circulatory system's role and the importance of the heart’s mechanical pumping action in maintaining life. It marked a major shift from traditional ideas to a scientific understanding of how the body functions.