1818-1896

German physiologist who conducted ground-breaking research into nerve and muscle stimulation. He found that the stimulation of a nerve membrane results in a wave, the electrical impulse, which travels along the nerve. Du Bois-Reymond also observed the same phenomenon occurring during muscular contraction. His work founded the field of electrophysiology. He emphasized the importance of applied physics and chemistry to physiology, helping to dispel the idea that organic matter contained a "life force."