natural-philosophy

The texts collectively reflect the period's blending of philosophy and nascent science in attempts to explain natural phenomena through observation and theory.

1 chapter across 1 book

Pandaemonium: The Coming of the Machine as Seen by Contemporary Observers 1660-1886 (1985)Humphrey Jennings

4. I measured the blood as it run out of the Artery, and after each quart of blood was run out, I refixed the glass Tube to the Artery, to see how much the force of the blood was abated; this I repeated to the eighth quart, and then its force being much abated, I applied the glass Tube after each pint had flowed out: The result of each trial was as is set down in the following Table, in which are noted the greatest heights it reached after every Evacuation. It was usually about a minute before it rose to these heights, and did not rise gradually, but would stand during several Pulses much lower, than what it would at length reach to; so that I often thought it had done rising, when on a sudden it would rise for some time four, eight, twelve or sixteen inches higher, where it would stay for some time, and then on a sudden fall four, eight, twelve or sixteen inches.

This chapter presents a series of historical scientific observations and experiments from the late 17th to early 18th centuries, illustrating the evolving methods of empirical inquiry and natural philosophy. It includes Stephen Hales' hydraulic experiments measuring blood pressure, Jonathan Swift's satirical enumeration of scientific ambitions and discoveries attributed to a fictional philosopher, Edmund Halley's detailed account of an atmospheric optical phenomenon, and a vivid eyewitness description of the 1724 solar eclipse near Stonehenge. Together, these texts reveal the period's growing emphasis on precise observation, measurement, and the dissemination of scientific knowledge.