Du Bois-Reymond-type induction coil, London, England, 1920-1940

Made:
1920-1940 in London
maker:
C F Palmer (London) Limited, C F
Group shot. Kymograph, on mahogany table stand, by C.F

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Group shot. Kymograph, on mahogany table stand, by C.F
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

One of two du Bois-Reymond sledge coils, for physiological use, by C.F. Palmer London, 1920-1940

Named after their inventor Emil Du Bois-Reymond (1818-96), a German electro-physiologist, this type of induction coil was used in physiological experiments. Induction coils are used to produce a pulses of high-voltage current from a low-voltage direct-current source such as the one produced by the experiment set-up.

An isolated muscle is placed on coils of wire and connected to an electrical stimulus, controlled by a switch. The muscle is also attached to the kymograph to record when the muscle contracts. When the muscle is stimulated, heat is produced and transferred to the thermocouple (cut away to show the two coils of metal which, when heated, produce an electric current). The thermocouple is attached to a galvanometer to record the electric current produced when the thermocouple is heated.

Details

Category:
Laboratory Medicine
Object Number:
1981-606/2
Materials:
frame, mahogany
type:
induction coil