General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

MAHOGANY CASE; BRASS & STEEL PARTS; FABRIC COVERING ON COILS.

Dimensions

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

Length

30.5 cm

Width

12.8 cm

Height

13.3 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

Wetherall Taylor

Country

England

State/Province

Unknown

City

Unknown

Context

Country

Worldwide

State/Province

Unknown

Period

THIS TYPE OF MACHINE POPULAR IN LATE 19TH CENTURY.

Canada

Unknown

Function

PURPORTED TO RELIEVE A VARIETY OF PHYSICAL & MENTAL AILMENTS BY APPLICATION OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT.

Technical

EXAMPLE OF TECHNICAL ADVANCES ( IE. SIMPLE PRODUCTION OF ELECTRICITY AND BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF BASIC PROPERTIES OF MAGNETISM ) BEING MISUSED TO PROMOTE QUACK MEDICINE.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Elaborate label inside lid includes mfr's stamp, illustrations & directions for use. Stamp only partiallylegible; reads " WETHERALL & TAYL[O]R/ CUTTLERERS/ Surgical I[nstrument]/ Makers/ GORD [illegible] ". Label reads "NEWLY INVENTED/ IMPROVED MAGNETO- ELECTRIC MACHINE./ FOR NERVOUS DISEASES/ Rawson & Brailsford Lith. Shefd. " / Mfr's label includes following text: " DIRECTIONS.- Connect two metallic cords or wires with the Sockets in the ends of the Box, and apply the handles connected with the/ other ends of the metallic cords or wires to any part of the person through which it is desired to pass the current of Electricity. Then turn/ the Crank, regulating the strength of the current by the speed, and by the Knob at the end of the Box: it being desirable to increase the/ strength only to the degree most agreeable to the patient. It is less unpleasant to the patient if wet sponges are placed in the ends of the Handles,/ and these applied to the skin, as they prevent the pricking sensation. The sponges should never be put inside of the Box while wet, as they/ rust the machinery. In applying it for the Toothache, Tic-Doloreux, or Neuralgia, the operator takes one Handle and places his fingers or/ sponge over the part affected, while the patient holds the other Handle. In applying it to the foot, place one of the handles in the water with/ the foot, and hold the other in the hand, or apply it to any other part of the person. The Bearings and Spring must be oiled occasionally. "

Missing

ORIGINAL DRIVE BELT, CORDS & HANDLES, SOME SCREWS, AND KEY FOR LOCK.

Finish

MAHOGANY CASE IS VARNISHED/ LACQUERED BRASS PARTS/ SOME MINOR COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN BLUED/BLUE BRUSHED FABRIC COVERING ON COILS/U-SHAPED MAGNET HAS BLUE PAINTED (?) FINISH.

Decoration

LABEL DECORATED WITH TWO ILLUSTRATIONS OF MACHINE IN USE.