General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

2

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Wooden case has paper lining. Metal instrument works; coils are fabric wound and covered.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

27.0 cm

Width

15.5 cm

Height

11.7 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Medical Technology

Category

Medical equipment

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Burnap

Country

United States of America

State/Province

New York

City

New York

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

This type of electro-therapy device most popular c. 1850-1900.

Canada

Represents an alternative form of electro-treatment popular at the time with the same purpose as portable battery electro-therapy treatment used by Canadian doctors.

Function

Used to produce mild electric shock or current, believed beneficial in treating a variety of nervous and organic diseases. By connecting 2 metallic cords/wires with sockets through the ends of the box the operator proceeded to touch the part of the body one wished to heal.

Technical

Typical example of late 19th century electro therapy.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Paper label on inside of box top reads in part " DAVIS & KIDDER'S/ PATENT MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACH[INE]/ FOR NERVOUS DISEASES...[Manuf]actured and Sol[d] [illegible], BURNAP, Sole Proprietor, 259 West 27th St., New York, whose [illegible] Machines. All infringements upon his Patent will be prosecuted." Label includes illustrations of machine in use, testamonial and "Directions"- see complete copy of text in Supp. Info.

Missing

Unknown- probably conducting cords were furnished with original unit.

Finish

Large u-shaped magnet has been painted black. Revolving coils covered with red fabric. Dark brown wooden case.

Decoration

N/A