In this episode, we’ll explore the contributions of William Harvey, a 17th-century English physician who transformed the understanding of blood circulation. We’ll discuss how he challenged Galen's views by demonstrating that blood circulates throughout the body, propelled by the heart, rather than being consumed as fuel. Despite initial resistance, Harvey's theory gained acceptance and influenced medical practices, discrediting bloodletting as a treatment. However, he still lacked a complete understanding of blood's functions and the differences between arterial and venous blood. Join us as we delve into how Harvey's discoveries laid the groundwork for future advancements like blood transfusions and the discovery of capillaries.

Don't miss out on subscribing for more educational content tailored to help you succeed in your exams. Perfect for AQA, OCR, Edexcel, CIE and WJEC exam boards.

⁠⁠⁠Click here to see all of our GCSE History content!