Article ID: CBB000772814

Osäkra avläsningar (2004)

unapi

Uncertain Readings The present study outlines the interaction between precision and uncertainty in the scientific milieu of electrophysiology during the 1830s and 1840s. The introduction of the galvanometer marked the beginning of a new phase in animal electricity research. Whereas phenomena such as the shock produced by electric ray and the electric eel and the twitch of the frog's leg, hitherto had constituted the main body of evidence of the existence of animal electricity, the introduction of the galvanometer drew attention to instrumental rather than organic features. The German physiologist Emil du Bois-Reymond was one of the most eager advocates of the new electromagnetical technique. The article gives a picture of his efforts to convince himself as well as the contemporary scientific community of the accuracy of his experimental equipment. It also reflects on du Bois-Reymonds doubts and feelings of uncertainty and comments upon the contemporary scientific debates on the topic.

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Description Looks at how Emil du Bois-Reymond advocated new electromagnetical techniques in electrophysiology during the 1830s and 40s and the role of the galvanometer.


Included in

Article Jülich, Solveig (2004) Inledning: Tema Teknomedicin. Polhem: Tidskrift för Teknikhistoria (p. 5). unapi

Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB000772814/

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Authors & Contributors
Finkelstein, Gabriel W.
Ernst Weihreter
Francesco Fiorucci
Petković, Tomislav
Richard A. Reinhart
Wright, A. J.
Concepts
Medical instruments and apparatus
Medical technology
Medicine
Technology
Electrical machines
Electrophysiology
Time Periods
19th century
20th century
20th century, early
20th century, late
2nd century
Modern
Places
United States
Germany
Great Britain
Spain
Ottoman Empire
Berlin (Germany)
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