English physician and physiologist. Born February 18, 1790 at Basford, England; died 1857. Discovered reflex action. Inaugurated the use of strychnine in diseases of the spine. Vigorous opponent of excessive blood-letting. Made noteworthy researches on circulation and on the nervous system and nervous diseases, to a method of resuscitation of drowned people, and to the elucidation of function of capillary vessels.