Measuring heart muscle and nerve potentials with slow-response galvanometers

The use of slow-response galvanometers to record the time course of heart muscle and nerve action potentials in the mid-1800s is discussed. The method that was used to chart these bioelectric events, which was developed by E. Lenz in 1854, is described. Also described is the rheotome, the device that allowed both the stimulation and the subsequent sampling of nerve and heart muscle action potentials.<
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