General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Wooden case has paper lining. Metal instrument works and conducting handgrips. Coils are fabric wound and covered. fabric covered conducting wires.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

27.3 cm

Width

11.8 cm

Height

12.1 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Medical Technology

Category

Medical equipment

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

GRAY

Country

England

State/Province

Unknown

City

Sheffield

Context

Country

North America

State/Province

Unknown

Period

This type of machine most popular c. 1850-1900.

Canada

Represents an alternative to the first truly Canadian electro-medical advice (the portable battery). Also a variation of the many very similar electro-therapeutic devices at the time. This particular instrument is believed to have been acquired in Nova Scotia according to its donor.1

Function

Used to produce & administer a mild electric shock or current, believed beneficial in treating a variety of nervous & organic diseases. By connecting 2 metallic cords/wires with sockets through the ends of the box the operator proceeded to touch the part of the body one wished to heal.

Technical

Typical example of late 19th century electro therapy.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Paper label on inside of box top reads in part " IMPROVED/ PATENT MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINE/ FOR NERVOUS DISEASES....JOSEPH GRAY & SON, Truss Works, SHEFFIELD ". Label includes illustrations of machine in use, prizes won at 1862 and 1878 exhibitions, and "DIRECTIONS". See image of complete paper label in Supp. Info.

Missing

Unknonw

Finish

Large u-shaped magnet has been painted blue-grey. Revolving coils covered with blue-black fabric. Dark brown wooden case. Bright gold tone finish on pulley wheel & cast portion of hand crank.

Decoration

Portion of hand crank mechanism cast to resemble fish/serpent. Crank wheel is elaborately cast and bright plated.