CHAPTER IV

Of the Ring-finger.

An opinion there is, which magnifies the fourth _Finger_ of the left Hand; presuming therein a cordial relation, that a particular vessel, nerve, vein or artery is conferred thereto from the heart, and therefore that especially hath the honour to bear our Rings. Which was not only the Christian practice in Nuptial contracts, but observed by Heathens, as _Alexander ab Alexandro_, _Gellius_, _Macrobius_ and _Pierius_ have delivered, as _Levinus Lemnius_ hath confirmed, who affirms this peculiar vessel to be an artery, and not a Nerve, as Antiquity hath conceived it; adding moreover that _Rings_ hereon peculiarly affect the Heart; that in Lipothymies or swoundings he used the frication of this _Finger_ with saffron and gold: that the ancient Physitians mixed up their Medicines herewith; that this is seldom or last of all affected with the Gout, and when that becometh nodous, Men continue not long after. Notwithstanding all which we remain unsatisfied, nor can we think the reasons alleadged sufficiently establish the preheminency of this _Finger_.

For first, Concerning the practice of Antiquity, the custom was not general to wear their _Rings_ either on this hand or _Finger_; for it is said, and that emphatically in _Jeremiah_, _Si fuerit Jeconias filius Joachim regis Judæ annulus in manu dextrâ meâ, inde evallam eum_: Though _Coniah_ the son of _Joachim_ King of _Judah_, were the signet on my right Hand, yet would I pluck thee thence. So is it observed by _Pliny_, that in the portraits of their Gods, the _Rings_ were worn on the _Finger_ next the _Thumb_; that the _Romans_ wore them also upon their little Finger, as _Hero_ is described in _Petronius_; some wore them on the middle _Finger_, as the ancient _Gaules_ and _Britans_; and some upon the fore-_Finger_, as is deduceable from _Julius Pollux_: who names that _Ring_ Corionos.

[Sidenote: _Rings anciently of Iron._]

Again, That the practice of the ancients, had any such respect of cordiality or reference unto the Heart, will much be doubted, if we consider their Rings were made of iron; such was that of _Prometheus_, who is conceived the first that brought them in use. So, as _Pliny_ affirmeth, for many years the _Senators_ of _Rome_ did not wear any Rings of Gold; but the slaves wore generally Iron Rings until their manumission or preferment to some dignity. That the _Lacedemonians_ continued their Iron Rings unto his daies, _Pliny_ also delivereth, and surely they used few of Gold; for beside that _Lycurgus_ prohibited that mettal, we read in _Athenæus_, that having a desire to guild the face of _Apollo_, they enquired of the Oracle where they might purchase so much Gold; and were directed unto _Crœsus_ King of _Lydia_.

Moreover whether the Ancients had any such intention, the grounds which they conceived in Vein, Nerve or Artery, are not to be justified, nor will inspection confirm a peculiar vessel in this Finger. For as _Anatomy_ informeth, the Basilica vein dividing into two branches below the cubit, the outward sendeth two surcles unto the thumb, two unto the fore-finger, and one unto the middle finger in the inward side; the other branch of the Basilica sendeth one surcle unto the outside of the middle finger, two unto the Ring, and as many unto the little fingers; so that they all proceed from the Basilica, and are in equal numbers derived unto every one. In the same manner are the branches of the axillary artery distributed into the Hand; for below the cubit it divideth into two parts, the one running along the _Radius_, and passing by the wrest or place of the pulse, is at the _Fingers_ subdivided into three Branches; whereof the first conveyeth two surcles unto the _Thumb_, the second as many to the fore-_Finger_, and the third one unto the middle _Finger_; the other or lower division of the artery descendeth by the ulna, and furnisheth the other _Fingers_; that is the middle with one surcle, and the _Ring_ and little _Fingers_ with two. [SN: _Whence the Nerves proceed._] As for the Nerves, they are disposed much after the same manner, and have their original from the Brain, and not the Heart, as many of the Ancients conceived; which is so far from affording Nerves unto other parts, that it receiveth very few it self from the sixth conjugation, or pair of Nerves in the Brain.

Lastly, These propagations being communicated unto both Hands, we have no greater reason to wear our _Rings_ on the left, then on the right; nor are there cordial considerations in the one, more then the other. And therefore when _Forestus_ for the stanching of blood makes use of Medical applications unto the fourth _Finger_, he confines not that practice unto the left, but varieth the side according to the nostril bleeding. So in Feavers, where the Heart primarily suffereth, we apply Medicines unto the wrests of either arm; so we touch the pulse of both, and judge of the affections of the Heart by the one as well as the other. And although in indispositions of Liver or Spleen, considerations are made in _Phlebotomy_ respectively to their situation; yet when the Heart is affected, Men have thought it as effectual to bleed on the right as the left; and although also it may be thought, a nearer respect is to be had of the left, because the great artery proceeds from the left ventricle, and so is nearer that arm; it admits not that consideration. For under the channel bones the artery divideth into two great branches, from which trunk or point of division, the distance unto either Hand is equal, and the consideration also answerable.

All which with many respective Niceties, in order unto parts, sides, and veines, are now become of less consideration, by the new and noble doctrine of the circulation of the blood.

And therefore _Macrobius_ discussing the point, hath alleadged another reason; affirming that the gestation of _Rings_ upon this Hand and _Finger_, might rather be used for their conveniency and preservation, then any cordial relation. For at first (saith he) it was both free and usual to wear _Rings_ on either Hand; but after that luxury encreased, when pretious gems and rich insculptures were added, the custom of wearing them on the right Hand was translated unto the left; for that Hand being less imployed, thereby they were best preserved. And for the same reason they placed them on this _Finger_; for the _Thumb_ was too active a _Finger_, and is commonly imployed with either of the rest: the Index or fore-_Finger_ was too naked whereto to commit their pretiosities, and hath the tuition of the _Thumb_ scarce unto the second joint: the middle and little _Finger_ they rejected as extreams, and too big or too little for their _Rings_, and of all chose out the fourth, as being least used of any, as being guarded on either side, and having in most this peculiar condition, that it cannot be extended alone and by itself, but will be accompanied by some _Finger_ on either side. And to this opinion assenteth _Alexander ab Alexandro_, _Annulum nuptialem prior ætas in sinistrâ ferebat, crediderim ne attereretur_.

Now that which begat or promoted the common opinion, was the common conceit that the Heart was seated on the left side; but how far this is verified, we have before declared. The _Egyptian_ practice hath much advanced the same, who unto this _Finger_ derived a Nerve from the Heart; and therefore the Priest anointed the same with precious oyls before the Altar. But how weak _Anatomists_ they were, which were so good Embalmers, we have already shewed. And though this reason took most place, yet had they another which more commended that practice: and that was the number whereof this _Finger_ was an Hieroglyphick. For by holding down the fourth _Finger_ of the left Hand, while the rest were extended, they signified the perfect and magnified number of six. For as _Pierius_ hath graphically declared, Antiquity expressed numbers by the _Fingers_ of either Hand: on the left they accounted their digits and articulate numbers unto an hundred; on the right Hand hundreds and thousands; the depressing this _Finger_, which in the left Hand implied but six, in the right indigitated six hundred. In this way of numeration, may we construe that of _Juvenal_ concerning _Nestor_,

----_Qui per tot sæcula mortem Distulit, atque suos jam dextrâ computat annos._

And however it were intended, in this sense it will be very elegant what is delivered of Wisdom, _Prov._ 3. Length of daies is in her right Hand, and in her left Hand riches and honour.

[Sidenote: _Hand-Gouty persons._]

As for the observation of _Lemnius_ an eminent Physitian, concerning the Gout; however it happened in his Country, we may observe it otherwise in ours; that is, that chiragrical persons do suffer in this _Finger_ as well as in the rest, and sometimes first of all, and sometimes no where else. And for the mixing up medicines herewith; it is rather an argument of opinion, then any considerable effect; and we as highly conceive of the practice in _Diapalma_, that is, in the making of that plaister, to stir it with the stick of a Palm.