Galambos's subject is the electrical activity of the body; the excitation of nerves and muscles, and how that excitation is generated and how it is studied. The rules implicit in his procedure are still good: keep it simple but don't patronize; describe experiments; leave as few loose ends as you can, and be frank about those; do not throw in history for its own sake, only when it is illuminating or amusing (and the Galvani's experiments with frogs are both: though he missed the connection to Frankenstein); above all make sure everything connects. The only reason reason not to, say, press for this book to be brought back into print is that, in the 35 years between when it was written and now, a simply appalling amount has been learned about nerves and muscles, so that lacunae which Galambos could shrug off in a sentence (like neurotransmitters) could now easily fill chapters.
203 pp.
Currently in print as a paperback, US$10.95, ISBN 0-14-044519-6, PT2423.L4 A813 1990