A medieval glorification of disease and death.

(the second volume appearing posthumously) he had by that time made his fortune. Willis's writings also boosted his practice. His best known book is, of course, Cerebri Anatome (1664) but it is more likely that his earlier book on fevers, fermentation and the analysis of urine served to enhance his reputation in fever-ridden Restoration Oxford. These letters also give us a fresh insight into Willis's relation with other eminent Fellows of the Royal Society. Hitherto, it has been assumed that the demands of medical practice prevented Willis from attending meetings of the Royal Society. This is true to some extent. But whereas, in his youth, Willis had been regarded as a versatile scientist, in later life his medical opinion was sought by several eminent Fellows of the Royal Society, including Power, Williamson and Ward. Thus, there was a change of emphasis, and Willis' advice tended to be sought on purely clinical matters rather than on the iatrochemical or anatomical researches of his youth.