Matteucci and du Bois-Reymond: a bitter rivalry

G. Finkelstein

Abstract


This essay considers a long-standing controversy between two nineteenth century pioneers in electrophysiology: the German scientist Emil du Bois-Reymond (1818-1896), and his Italian rival Carlo Matteucci (1811-1868). Historians have generally described their disagreement in du Bois-Reymond’s terms: the product of a contrast in scientific outlook. While not discounting this interpretation, I want to suggest that the controversy was driven as much by the rivals’ similarity as it was by their difference.

Keywords


du Bois-Reymond • Matteucci • Electrophysiology • Neuroscience • History • Nineteenth century • Controversy

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4449/aib.v149i4%20Suppl.1441

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