Hinged wood box with magneto-electric machine consisting of the machine itself (a) which is made up of a large U-shaped magnet, a rotating gear, and a red velvet coated rotating device all attached inside a locking mahogany case with reinforced brass corners; metal cylinders (b-c) with green thread…
Hinged wood box with magneto-electric machine consisting of the machine itself (a) which is made up of a large U-shaped magnet, a rotating gear, and a red velvet coated rotating device all attached inside a locking mahogany case with reinforced brass corners; metal cylinders (b-c) with green thread around a thin metal wire attached to the end that attaches to the machine with a brass cotter pin; brass crank with bone handle attached to front of box used to make the wheel rotate; tan paper label on the inside of the top of the box that provides instructions; small metal key (d) for brass lock.
Number Of Parts
4
Part Names
a - machine
b - handle
c - handle
d - key
Provenance
Found by donor's family in a closet when they moved into their new home on Livingston Avenue, Kingston, in 1949.
Printed on inner label: “DAVIS & KIDDER’S // PATENT MAGNETO- ELEOTRIC MACHINE // FOR NERVOUS DISEASES. // PATENTED AUG. 1 1854. // DIRECTIONS.- Connect two metallic cords or wires with the Sockets to 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 desirable to pass the current of Elec- // tricity. 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 that 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 prickling 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 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. // Manufactured and sold by W. H. BURNAP, Sole Proprietor, Lowell, Mass., whose signature is attached to all genuine // Machines. All infringements upon his Patent will be prosecuted // From PROF. SILLIMAN, // of Yale College. // Dear Sir: - Dr. Walter // Kidder has exhibited to me a // Magneto- Electric Machine, // invented by you. For neat- // ness, compactness, and facil- // ity and energy of operation, // it is far superior to any in- // strument of the kind which // I have seen. For medical // application, it possesses very // dedicated advantages. // B. SILLIAN. SEN. // New York, April 28, 1854. // From PROV. PAGE, // Washington, March 23, 1854. // Dear Sire: - Upon examin- // ation and trial, I find your // Magneto-Electric Machine // more efficient for it size than // any I have ever seen. The // improvement you have made // is one possessing much scien- // tific interest. // Yours respectfully, // CHAS. G. PAIGE.” stamped on lip of box: “PAT’D APR. 18 1854.” stamped on interior metal frame: “PATENTED AUG 1, 1854. // MANUFACTURED BY W. H. BURNAP LOWELL, MASS.”
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0007
0007-L2-3
Length
a - 24.8
b - 10.2
c - 10.4
d - 2.9
Width
a - 11.4
d - 1.4
Depth
a - 11.2
Diameter
b - 2.8
c - 2.8
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
Minor scratching on wood box; paper has yellowed with minor stains from adhesive on reverse; minor fraying of handle cords; bone discoloured
Copy Type
original
Reference Types
Internet
Reference Comments
The Real History Of Davis & Kidder, Jeff Behary
"Making the Modern World"
Research Facts
These machines were made in large numbers and were thought to be effective in a wide variety of physical and nervous disorders.
The unit delivered crude faradic current and up to four hundred volts from the rotating coils in conjunction with one or two horseshoe magnets.