The Body Electric: Electromagnetism And The Foundation Of Life

Innovation Against the Odds

This book is more history than current practice or understandings. Dr. Becker’s curiosity of salamander regeneration in the 1960’s opened the field of human regeneration of damaged bones and limbs. He was not heralded for his experiments and fought the medical establishment for decades to use electric currents to heal human bones. He was allowed to use his techniques to repair bones so damaged beyond normal pins and casting. His electrical stimulation is used only on the most severely damaged limbs. The book describes in much detail the laboratory experiments with salamanders and rats that developed the regeneration techniques. I admired Dr Becker’s spirit to pursue his dream against overwhelming obstacles, no funding, no peer support with little scientific recognition. Only decades of effort yielded success and recognition he deserved and got. The book is easy reading with little jargon or trade words. The diagrams make explicit the experiments discussed. Last chapters (pg 227-326)in the book wonder off into odd subjects like physic phenomenon, ELF fields effects on the body. The first 226 pages was enough for me. Read more