Henry Pickering Bowditch

PSM V78 D628 Henry Pickering Bowditch

Henry Pickering Bowditch (April 4, 1840 – March 13, 1911) was an American physiologist and a prominent figure in the development of physiology as a scientific discipline in the United States. He is best known for his contributions to the understanding of the cardiovascular system and the nervous system.

Early Life and Education

Henry Pickering Bowditch was born in Boston, Massachusetts, into a distinguished family. He was the son of Jonathan Ingersoll Bowditch and Lucy Orne Nichols. Bowditch attended Harvard College, where he graduated in 1861. He then served as a captain in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

After the war, Bowditch pursued medical studies at the Harvard Medical School, earning his M.D. in 1868. He continued his education in Europe, studying under prominent physiologists such as Carl Ludwig in Leipzig and Claude Bernard in Paris.

Academic Career

Upon returning to the United States, Bowditch joined the faculty of Harvard Medical School in 1871. He was appointed as the first professor of physiology at Harvard, a position he held until his retirement in 1906. Bowditch was instrumental in establishing the Harvard Physiological Laboratory, which became a leading center for physiological research.

Contributions to Physiology

Bowditch made significant contributions to the understanding of the cardiovascular system, particularly in the areas of cardiac muscle physiology and the nervous control of the heart. He is best known for formulating the "Bowditch effect" or "Treppe phenomenon," which describes the relationship between the strength of heart muscle contractions and the frequency of stimulation.

In addition to his work on the heart, Bowditch conducted important research on the nervous system, including studies on nerve conduction and the reflex arc. His work laid the foundation for future research in neurophysiology.

Legacy and Honors

Henry Pickering Bowditch was a founding member of the American Physiological Society and served as its president from 1888 to 1895. He was also a member of the National Academy of Sciences and received numerous honors for his contributions to science.

Bowditch's legacy continues through the many students he mentored, who went on to become prominent physiologists and medical researchers. His work helped establish physiology as a rigorous scientific discipline in the United States.

Personal Life

Bowditch married Georgina Lowell Putnam in 1871, and they had four children. He was known for his dedication to both his family and his scientific work.

See Also

• Physiology
• Cardiovascular system
• Nervous system
• Harvard Medical School
• American Physiological Society