Francis Gotch
Encyclopedia
Francis Gotch was a British neurophysiologist who was professor of physiology
at University College Liverpool
and Oxford University.
He was educated at London University.
He made several pioneer contributions to British neurophysiology. With his brother-in-law Victor Horsley
(1857-1916) he performed research involving localization of brain function through electrical stimulation of the cortex, and also demonstrated that the mammalian brain was capable of producing electrical current. Gotch performed pioneer investigations in the study of electroretinography
, and in 1899 he described the "inexcitable" or "refractory phase" that takes place between nerve impulses.
In 1891 with Victor Horsley
he delivered the Croonian Lecture
before the Royal Society of London entitled On The Mammalian Nervous System: Its Functions, And Their Localization Determined By An Electrical Method. In June 1892 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
at University College Liverpool
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
and Oxford University.
He was educated at London University.
He made several pioneer contributions to British neurophysiology. With his brother-in-law Victor Horsley
Victor Horsley
Sir Victor Alexander Haden Horsley was an accomplished scientist and professor. He was born in Kensington, London. He was educated at Cranbrook School, Kent and studied medicine at University College London and in Berlin, Germany , and in the same year started his career as a house surgeon and...
(1857-1916) he performed research involving localization of brain function through electrical stimulation of the cortex, and also demonstrated that the mammalian brain was capable of producing electrical current. Gotch performed pioneer investigations in the study of electroretinography
Electroretinography
Electroretinography measures the electrical responses of various cell types in the retina, including the photoreceptors , inner retinal cells , and the ganglion cells. Electrodes are usually placed on the cornea and the skin near the eye, although it is possible to record the ERG from skin electrodes...
, and in 1899 he described the "inexcitable" or "refractory phase" that takes place between nerve impulses.
In 1891 with Victor Horsley
Victor Horsley
Sir Victor Alexander Haden Horsley was an accomplished scientist and professor. He was born in Kensington, London. He was educated at Cranbrook School, Kent and studied medicine at University College London and in Berlin, Germany , and in the same year started his career as a house surgeon and...
he delivered the Croonian Lecture
Croonian Lecture
The Croonian Lectures are prestigious lectureships given at the invitation of the Royal Society and the Royal College of Physicians.Among the papers of William Croone at his death in 1684, was a plan to endow one lectureship at both the Royal Society and the Royal College of Physicians...
before the Royal Society of London entitled On The Mammalian Nervous System: Its Functions, And Their Localization Determined By An Electrical Method. In June 1892 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society