Rectangular folded cardboard hinge burgundy cardboard box (a) with string attached to the lid and body of the box; printed directions in French on the label in the lid of the box; containing a metal cylinder oxydonor M - 6019 with fabric covered wire attached to the top ending with a metal disk and…
Rectangular folded cardboard hinge burgundy cardboard box (a) with string attached to the lid and body of the box; printed directions in French on the label in the lid of the box; containing a metal cylinder oxydonor M - 6019 with fabric covered wire attached to the top ending with a metal disk and ankle strap (b); directions booklet (c); two hydrotonic booklets with various dietary supplements prepared by Sanche (d-e).
Printed on lid of box: “OXYDONOR // DR. H. SANCHE & CO. LIMITED // MONTREAL, CANADA”; printed on paper label inside lid: “DIRECTIONS EN ABREGE” directions follow in French; embossed on body of oxydonor: “M - 6019 // Oxydonor No. 2 // Manufactured by // Dr. H. Sanche & Co. // Montreal Canada // Dr. Hercules Sanche // VICTORY // DIADUCTION RULES LIFE // TRADE MARK // REGISTERED // Dr. H. Sanche & Co. // Montreal Can. // Pat. Dec 27, 1898”; printed on cover of booklet: “DIRECTIONS” with following information in French; printed on booklet (d-e): “HYDROTONIC” with information about dietary supplements offered by Sanche.
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-F5-3
Length
a - 16.2
b - 9.6
c - 15.0
d - 14.8
e - 14.8
Width
a - 7.9
c - 8.7
d - 8.7
e - 8.7
Depth
a - 5.4
c - 0.5
d - 0.1
e - 0.1
Diameter
b - 3.4
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
Minor wear of silver finish on bottom of oxydonor; minor wear on string by ankle attachment; minor staining of box and residue inside
Copy Type
original
Reference Types
Internet
Reference Comments
Oxydonor No.2. American Artifacts.
Oxydonor. The Free Medical Dictionary.
Research Facts
The Oxydonor Victory is simply a metal tube filled with carbon. It was claimed to cure virtually all diseases simply by forcing oxygen into the body. Proponents of Sanche's incredible theory of "Diaduction" (the pseudoscientific explanation of the Oxydonor cure) organized as the Fraternity of Duxanimae. In this way, Sanche solicited donations for the cause (Diaduction), in addition to sales of the Oxydonor.
One of America's most notorious quacks, Dr. Sanche apparently moved around a lot, keeping one step ahead of the authorities. His July 27, 1897 patent lists his residence as New Orleans, and his Aug 3, 1897 patent as Detroit. In 1915, a fraud order was issued against Dr. Sanche & Co., of New York, Rochester, Chicago and Detroit. He soon evaded this setback by marketing his devices from Montreal. In Feb, 1916, the fraud order was extended to cover his Montreal address. This device likely dates from that period.
The user was required to place the centralmetal tube, or "Vocor", in a jar of iced water and then attach the the contact disk on the client’s ankle. It was declared worthless by the American Medical Association.