François Magendie

views updated

François Magendie

1783-1855

French physician and physiologist who is considered the father of experimental pharmacology. Magendie conducted experiments on animals and on himself, including studies of arrow poisons from Java and Borneo. He studied the mechanism of action of various emetics and discovered emetine. His studies of the motor and sensory roots in spinal nerves became the subject of a priority battle with Sir Charles Bell (1774-1842).

More From encyclopedia.com