Leviton

Shocking History of Electric Fishes : From Ancient Epochs to the Birth of Mod...

Description: Shocking History of Electric Fishes : From Ancient Epochs to the Birth of Modern Neurophysiology, Hardcover by Finger, Stanley; Piccolino, Marco, ISBN 0195366727, ISBN-13 9780195366723, Brand New, Free P&P in the UK This book looks at how three kinds of strongly electric fishes literally became "electrical", and how they helped to change the sciences and medicine. These fishes are the flat torpedo rays common to the Mediterranean, the electric catfishes of Africa, and an "eel" from South America. The discovery of the electrical nature of these fishes in the second half of the 18th century was the starting point of the two fundamental advances in the sciences: on the physiological side, the demonstration that nerve conduction and muscle excitation are electrical phenomena, and on the physical side, the invention of the electric battery. Starting with catfish tomb drawings from Ancient Egypt and colorful descriptions of torpedoes from the Classical Era, the authors show how these fishes were both fascinating and mysterious to the ancients. After all, not only could they produce torpor and temporary numbness when touched, they could stun through intermediaries, such as wet nets and spears. Various explanations were given for these remarkable actions in ancient times, including the idea that they might release some sort of cold venom. Through the Renaissance, they also tended to be associated with occult and magical qualities. During the 1600s, natural philosophers speculated that rapid movements of specialized muscles could account for their actions. This idea was widely accepted until the 1750s, when the possibility that their shocks might be electrical began to be discussed. Showing how researchers set forth to provide support for fish electricity is a major focus of this book. Here the authors transport us into the jungles of South America and later show how some live eels were transported to London, where John Walsh demonstrated in1776 that they can actually spark. Subsequent chapters deal with further evidence for specialized fish electricity and how electric fishes helped to change ideas about even our own physiology. The authors also show how these fish remained a part of medicine, and how Volta modeled his revolutionary "pile" or electric battery on their anatomy. From beginning to end, this drama is firmly anchored in the philosophy and science of the day. Moreover, with biographical information about the key players, readers can fully appreciate what they were thinking as they tried to understand one of Nature's greatest puzzles - a mystery that would transform nerve and muscle physiology in ways that earlier generations could not have anticipated. Although a scholarly volume, th's style is generally narrative and, with its hundreds of magnificent illustrations, it should appeal to a large audience.

Price: 117.99 GBP

Location: Castle Donington

End Time: 2025-01-16T06:08:51.000Z

Shipping Cost: 20.05 GBP

Product Images

Shocking History of Electric Fishes : From Ancient Epochs to the Birth of Mod...

Item Specifics

Return postage will be paid by: Buyer

Returns Accepted: Returns Accepted

After receiving the item, your buyer should cancel the purchase within: 30 days

Book Title: Shocking History of Electric Fishes : From Ancient Epochs to the

Number of Pages: 496 Pages

Publication Name: The Shocking History of Electric Fishes: from Ancient Epochs to the Birth of Modern Neurophysiology

Language: English

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Item Height: 287 mm

Subject: Zoology, Science, Biology

Publication Year: 2011

Type: Textbook

Item Weight: 1863 g

Author: Marco Piccolino, Stanley Finger

Item Width: 224 mm

Format: Hardcover

Recommended

Size 8 - Nike Air More Uptempo Release 2016
Size 8 - Nike Air More Uptempo Release 2016

$31.00

View Details
Nike Blazer Mid '77 White Black BQ6806-100 Men's Shoes NEW
Nike Blazer Mid '77 White Black BQ6806-100 Men's Shoes NEW

$59.51

View Details
Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG SP Travis Scott Medium Olive DM7866-200 Mens New
Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG SP Travis Scott Medium Olive DM7866-200 Mens New

$509.99

View Details
Vintage 2005 Nike Air Jordan 13 XIII White low OG  size 13
Vintage 2005 Nike Air Jordan 13 XIII White low OG size 13

$89.99

View Details
Nike Dunk Low Retro Premium Light Pumice Green Frost FB8895-001 Men New
Nike Dunk Low Retro Premium Light Pumice Green Frost FB8895-001 Men New

$94.93

View Details
nike air force 1
nike air force 1

$20.00

View Details
Nike Air Jordan 11 Retro  Size 10.5 378037100 White/black-concord
Nike Air Jordan 11 Retro Size 10.5 378037100 White/black-concord

$150.00

View Details
Nike Dunk Low Shoes Dark Team Red Black White FZ4616-600 Men's Sizes NEW
Nike Dunk Low Shoes Dark Team Red Black White FZ4616-600 Men's Sizes NEW

$98.59

View Details
Men's Nike Air Max Excee Black/Dark Grey/White (CD4165 001)
Men's Nike Air Max Excee Black/Dark Grey/White (CD4165 001)

$73.45

View Details
Vintage 1993 Nike Air Force 1 High Shoes 630034-091 Men’s sz 11
Vintage 1993 Nike Air Force 1 High Shoes 630034-091 Men’s sz 11

$599.00

View Details