Rare 1854 Davis & Kidders PATENT MAGNETO Electric Machine for Nervous Diseases,

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Rare 1854 Davis & Kidders PATENT MAGNETO Electric Machine for Nervous Diseases, :
$110.50

This is a very rare piece. It is a very early electrical instrument, and already the magneto/ current generator has found its way into medicine. It is dated 1854, patented. It has an inked signature on this inside label. It may be the owners. I would actually say that this instrument may have been only pseudo quackery. I would say, at that time, it might be considered experimental. Down the line, shock therapy did become a recognized form of treatment for mental illness. To postulate that electrical current and the brainmight have something to do with each other is of coursenow well recognized, but 160 years ago, it was novel. And of course this plays into Frankenstein, and all the new and wonderful ideas that the use of electricity gave the world then. What a great piece! It measures 10 inches long. It is 4 and 1/2 inches across and 4 and 1/2 inches high. There is a crack in the back where the hinge screws in. I have not tried to operate it. It has some minor stains and signs of age, the cloth material is somewhat deteriorated, but this is truly an amazing find!