An Introduction to Biophysics (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

David Burns

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1330860217 ISBN 13: 9781330860212

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2017

Synopsis

Excerpt from An Introduction to Biophysics

This book makes no pretensions to be a complete or even a systematic survey of Biophysics. Its object is partly to be explanatory. Current medical publications are full of terms culled from physico-chemical and physical terminology; the clinician of to-day clothes his ideas in words unknown to his brethren of yesterday; his phraseology, at least, is physical.

Apart from and beyond a mere explanation of physico-chemical terms, an attempt has been made in the following pages to present physiological phenomena from a purely physical standpoint. The problems of life, and vertebrate life in particular, have been viewed through a physicist's eyes. This does not necessarily imply that the matter of the book is permeated with mechanistic philosophy. We are all, more or less, amateur philosophers, but we would be poor scientists indeed if our "views" were permitted to colour our facts. Phenomena, as they appear to-day, are set out for the critical examination of the student. "He will have all the facts and circumstances fully mobilised, standing up side by side before him like an awkward squad, and there is nothing more awkward than some facts that have to stand out squarely in the daylight! And he inquires into their ancestry, makes them hold out their tongues, and pokes them once or twice in the ribs, to make sure that they are lively and robust facts capable of making a good fight for their lives. He never likes to see one thing too large... lest he sees something else too small; but will have everything in true proportion." (David Grayson.)

It is a great pleasure to me, on reading over the final proofs, to notice how generously my masters and colleagues have come to my aid. Quite apart from the direct help given me by Professors Noel Paton and E. P. Cathcart, who contribute the opening and closing chapters of the theoretical part of the book, I have received daily encouragement from them in my task, for w…

About this title

Product Description

Excerpt from An Introduction to Biophysics

The scope Of the book has been slightly altered to make it more in accord with the Syllabus of Biophysics suggested by the General Medical Council. Sections I. And II., with the corresponding exercises in Part II., cover the syllabus of the Physical Physiology required by The Examining Board in England of the Royal College of Physicians of London and the Royal College of Surgeons of Eng land. The text, however, has not been cut merely to suit examina tions, but an attempt has been made to view the human body as far as possible as a physical machine. To do this adequately a knowledge of mathematics beyond the stage usually professed by medical and other students of the Biological Sciences is necessary. We have therefore cut down mathematical treatment to the minimum and have indicated Where the student who desires to study the subject further may get additional information.

In spite of efforts to keep the book reasonably small, expansion has taken place. A new chapter on Emulsions and Soaps has been added, and the chapters on Surface Tension, General Receptors, Eye, Ear, Voice and Movements of the Limbs have been almost entirely rewritten. The greatest changes have been made in Part II., as the result Of six years' teaching experience.

About the Publisher

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This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

About the Author

David Burns is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at King's College, London.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1330860217
• ISBN 13: 9781330860212
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 620