Emil Du Bois-Reymond

DU BOIS-REYMOND, Emil (1818–1896), one of the greatest German physiologists of the 19th century. Upon entering the university in 1837, Du Bois-Reymond was interested in various fields of knowledge and at one time thought about studying theology; however, under the influence of Mitscherlich's lectures and his acquaintance with Hallmann (an assistant to Johannes Müller), he turned to medicine. Soon, thanks to Hallmann, he began working under the famous Johannes Müller in physiology. His first studies were conducted on the electrical organs of fish; these studies were published in 1842. In 1848, the first volume of a work that gained great fame appeared—"Untersuchungen über thierische Elektricität" (Vol. I–II, Berlin, 1848–60) with the famous preface "On Vital Force." In 1851, Du Bois-Reymond was elected a member of the Berlin Academy of Sciences, and in 1867, its permanent secretary.

From 1858, Du Bois-Reymond was an ordinary professor of physiology at the University of Berlin (replacing the deceased Johannes Müller). From 1857 to 1877, he edited the "Archiv für Anatomie und Physiologie," and from 1877, the "Archiv für Physiologie." Du Bois-Reymond was one of the brilliant representatives of the physical school in physiology. His main works concern animal electricity. He obtained a vast amount of new facts, developed precise methodology, constructed instruments that still bear his name today, and created coherent theories, so that Du Bois-Reymond is rightfully considered one of the founders of the science of animal electricity. In his philosophical views, Du Bois-Reymond was close to the materialists; his works strongly compromised vitalistic theories. In addition to physiological works, Du Bois-Reymond is known for his speeches (published in two volumes by his daughter, Leipzig, 1912); among them, "Über die Grenzen des Naturerkennens" (1872) and "Die sieben Welträtsel" (1880), which were translated into many languages, including Russian, made a colossal impression. Lit.: Junk J., Emil Du Bois-Reymond, Deutsche med. Wochenschr., 1897, No. 1.