Antique No. 4 D.D. Home Medical Apparatus Quack Electric Shock Therapy MESCO

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Here we have an Antique No. 4 D.D. Home Medical Apparatus ('Quack Electric Shock Therapy'). When electricity was new, people had high hopes that it had curative powers. Unlike other "magical" cures, electricity could be felt. Electropathy, very popular from 1850-1900, promised to cure most diseases and conditions including mental illness. The patient held a metal cylinder, a hand electrode, while the healer applied a second electrode to the ailing body part. Electrode attachments were manufactured in a variety of shapes. The electrodes connected to an electrical source such as a magneto, chemical battery or battery box.The OAK box has a metal handle on top and 2 side hook & latch closures (opens both top and bottom of box). Inside the lid is the original paper work label complete with "Direction for using with the New No. 4.D.D. Home Medical Apparatus with MESCO Dry Cell Battery". The dry cell battery is stored in the bottom section . Inside the bottom is a small switch that puts the battery in operation. Three different currents apparently are obtain able . Originally i ncluded were two metallic hollow tube hand electrodes and 2 conducting cords. These have gone missing over the years. There is a small metal plate with a location for attaching an electrode. ( I believe a person was to stand on this with bare feet for treatment.) read more

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