Gallery: Strange Antique Medical Devices That Promised to Cure Everything With Electricity
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Multi-purpose electrotherapy machine (Italy, 1922). This device could be used to treat muscle conditions, alleviate pain, or cauterize wounds.
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Multi-purpose electrotherapy machine (Italy, 1922). A close-up view of the device from the previous slide.
Tim Gruber/WIRED03Electrical belt for men
The Doctor Lorenz Body Battery (USA, 1870-1930). This electric belt included electrodes to stimulate the male genitals.
Tim Gruber/WIRED04Beard's device for electrical restoration
Magneto (England, 1878 - 1910). A hand-cranked electric generator to restore flagging energy and treat other symptoms of neurasthenia, a poorly-defined affliction of vague pains and discomforts.
Tim Gruber/WIRED05Gruber-Bakken-60edit
The Electrostatic Bath (1770-1900). This cage-like set up was designed to surround a person with a refreshing and rejuvenating field of static electricity. It included a [Ramsden generator](http://oldsite.thebakken.org/Frankenstein/ramsden-generator.htm), which connected to the cage with iron and copper contacts. The silk veil distributed the charge.
Tim Gruber/WIRED06Electreat
Elec-Treat Mechanical Heart (USA, 1928-1935)
Tim Gruber/WIRED07Violet rays
Violet Ray Renu-Life (USA, 1926). Violet Ray devices were marketed as cures for a wide range of ailments. This kit included various attachments for delivering electric current and ultraviolet light to---and into---the body. The glass or plastic electrodes contain argon gas, which glows purple when the current is on.
Tim Gruber/WIRED08Beard's device for electrical restoration
Magneto (England, 1845 -1900). Another electricity-generating magneto. This one includes a glass dome (not shown) that fits over the wooden base.
Tim Gruber/WIRED09Medical Electrician's Office
Photograph of Electrotherapist (USA, 1904-1905). Note the freestanding electrotherapy machine at left.
Tim Gruber/WIRED10Leyden Jar
Leyden jar (France, 1750-1850). Leyden jars were among the first devices capable of storing an electric charge. Their portability enabled all sorts of new experiments with electricity, including Benjamin Franklin's [famous kite experiment](http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/info/kite.htm).
Tim Gruber/WIRED11Wall plate
Victor Electrotherapeutic Wall Cabinet (USA, 1905 - 1920). This multi-purpose unit would have been mounted on a wall---here it is resting upside down on its flat top.
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Victor Electrotherapeutic Wall Cabinet (USA, 1905 - 1920). A close-up view of the device from the previous slide, shown right side up.
Tim Gruber/WIRED13Resuscitation of the apparently dead
Reece, Richard. The medical guide, for use of the clergy, heads of families and practitioners in medicine and surgery (England, 1820). Instructions for resuscitating the apparently dead.
