Lot 100
Antique 1854 Davis & Kidders Magneto Electric Quack Medical Nerves Electrotherapy Machine WORKS
Antique 1854 Davis & Kidders Magneto Electric Quack Medical Nerves Electrotherapy Machine WORKS
Current Bid: $50
(1 Bid)Davis & Kidder's Patent Magneto-Electric Machine was a highly popular 19th-century electrotherapy device. Patented in August 1854 by American craftsman Ari Davis, the rights were bought by physician Walter Kidder for $4,000. The machine was sold as a medical cure-all for "nervous diseases" and various ailments. It stands today as a classic example of Victorian-era medical technology and quackery. It features a large, red-painted horseshoe magnet connected to a brass frame containing two felt-covered bobbins or spools. Turning an exterior hand crank with an ivory handle spins the spools in front of the magnet. This action induces a mild alternating electrical current (AC). The operator connected wires from the machine to two hollow brass or wood handgrips. The patient held these handles to receive the electrical shock. The strength of the electric shock directly depended on how fast the operator turned the crank. A polished mahogany or walnut wooden box with metal-reinforced, dovetailed corners. A green, gold, or purple printed paper label pasted inside the lid detailing instructions and prominent scientific endorsements from figures like Yale Professor Benjamin Silliman. Please ask specific questions on details, condition, and shipping prior to bidding, ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS IS, and the bidder will be responsible for payment. We box and ship what we can to keep costs low, and use USPS and UPS. Large items, extremely fragile, and high value items will be packed by UPS. Quotes available on request
- Dimensions: 4.5" tall x 10" wide
- Condition: Very Good Working Condition
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $49 | $5 |
| $50 | $99 | $5 |
| $100 | $199 | $10 |
| $200 | $499 | $25 |
| $500 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $2,999 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $9,999 | $250 |
| $10,000 + | $500 |