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Rare 1860s JEROME KIDDER Quack Medicine MEDICAL SHOCK THERAPY Machine Ex MUSEUM !!!
WOW - now here is quite an interesting and very early quack medical shock machine display piece that still works just fine.
Its hard to believe this and similar devices were actually used for some treatments at one point back in the early days.
This is an early device and is labeled DR. KIDDERS IMPROVMENTS with 5 different patent dates, the latest patent date I see on the cool looking engraved brass identification plate is 1885, the earliest is Sept. 1860.
The company was located at 544 Broadway in New York City.
Check out that early looking metal shielding sleeve used to control the shock intensity, its hand made and hand soldered.
What I find most interesting on this early Kidder device is the hairpin spring looking tool attached on the chain that is inserted into the contact sets to provide the on/off switch function, its very simple and crude and that's one reason why I have cherished this piece, but, its time to let it go to someone else who will enjoy it.
The coil assemblies are quite beefy and all the bottom and side wiring is a thick gauge copper wire compared to many you see, this baby can deliver some current !!!
It does work and SHOCKS VERY, VERY WELL as expected, please see the short video of it operating and being tested using a 6v lantern battery as the power source - it will BITE YOU if not careful especially when the tube is all the way out for max intensity - BE CAREFUL !!!
I have tested, restored, and played with many of these type of medical batteries over the years and this one truly deliveries a very healthy shock to be sure - so, play with at your own risk !!!
Case measures about 9-1/4 inches wide, 6-1/2 inches tall, and about 4-1/2 inches in depth. Kind of a crudely made case but appears to be out of high quality nicely grained oak hardwood, maybe an early prototype or something, don't know but has always been one of my favorites.
Very heavy too, weighs about 5 pounds by itself.
I bought this unit several years ago and according to the sale, it was in a former museum collection and has the original paper info tag with an old inventory number.
These and similar type units were touted by medical charlatans of the late 1800's back when electricity was new, people had high hopes that it had curative powers as unlike other "magical" cures, electricity could be felt and was very popular from 1850-1900 and promised to cure most diseases and conditions including mental illness.
The patient held one of the hand electrodes, while the quack healer applied a second electrode to the ailing body part.
This would be a great addition to your quack medical collection !!!
What you see is what you get, so sold as-is as-pictured, please ask questions if you need any further clarifications.
Please see all photos provided and ask any questions before offerding.
Thanks for looking.
