Du Bois-Reymond, Emil Heinrich (1818-1896)

German physiologist who showed the existence of electrical currents in nerves, correctly arguing that it would be possible to transmit nerve impulses chemically. His experimental techniques proved the basis for almost all future work in electrophysiology. Du Bois-Reymond was born and educated in Berlin, and became professor of physiology there 1858. Investigating the physiology of muscles and nerves, Du Bois-Reymond demonstrated the presence of electricity in animals, especially researching electric fishes. By 1849 he had evolved a delicate multiplier for measuring nerve currents, enabling him to detect an electric current in ordinary localized muscle tissues, notably contracting muscles. He observantly traced it to individual fibres, finding their interior was negative with regard to the surface. Du Bois-Reymond denounced the vitalistic doctrines that were in vogue among German scientists and denied that nature contained mystical life forces independent of matter.