Davis & Kidder's Patent Magneto-Electric Machine, 1875-1885

01

Artifact Overview

Physicians in the late 1800s and early 1900s saw therapeutic possibilities in the use of electricity. A number of doctors believed that medical batteries that administered low levels of electrical stimulation could treat a variety of diseases. Companies marketed and sold these electrotherapeutic devices to doctors and -- to the consternation of some in the medical profession -- average citizens.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Magneto-electric machine

Date Made

1875-1885

Creator Notes

Patented by Ari Davis and Walter Kidder. Manufactured by W. H. Burnap of New York, New York.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

29.187.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Edgar P. Hagazer.

Material

Wood (Plant material)
Metal
Paper (Fiber product)
Velvet (Fabric weave)

Color

Brown
Gold (Color)
Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 4.25 in
Width: 9.75 in
Length: 5 in

Inscriptions

on printed label inside box lid: DAVIS & KIDDER'S / PATENT MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINE / FOR NERVOUS DISEASES / ENDORSED AND USED BY THE Leading Physicians throughout the UNITED STATES AND EUROPE. / Directions. - [...] / W. H. BURNAP, MANUFACTURER AND Sole Proprietor, NEW YORK, U.S.A.
Davis & Kidder's Patent Magneto-Electric Machine, 1875-1885