DR. JOHN BUTLER’S ELECTRO-MASSAGER
Stock Number: 9409
$1650.
For sale, 19th century electro-massager which was touted as "The Greatest Medical Discovery ....' and "Glad Tidings." The apparatus was patented and a patent model was submitted as required. Included is a copy of the patent papers.
Dimensions
8-5/8 inches (22 cm)
Circa
c.1885
Country of manufacture
North America
Description
DR. JOHN BUTLER’S ELECTRO-MASSAGER, American, c. 1885, stamped “Pat¹d. Feb 1, 81.” Measuring 8-5/8″ (22 cm) in overall length, this hand powered device combines physical massage with the benefits of electro-therapy. Constructed of plated brass and iron, it has a chamois-covered cylindrical massage roller which drives, through approximately 23:1 gearing, an electromagnet’s double coil against a permanent magnet. The handle, coated in hard rubber, is in fact the large permanent magnet. The roller, when moistened, is one electrode in contact with the skin; the other is a flexible pad with chamois lining and electric wire connection. The whole is in fine condition, complete with the original carrying case.
Dr. Butler’s innovative combined massager/stimulator was advertised as “The Greatest Medical Discovery Ever Known,” bringing “Glad Tidings for all Men & Women.” Apparently manufactured by the Dynamo-Electric Mfg. Co., at 907 Broadway, New York City, it did have the advantage of no messy liquid battery. Butler was granted U.S. Patent 237,167; we include a photocopy with his unusual device.
Ask the Dealer
Dealer information
TESSERACT
David and Yola Coffeen both have enjoyed academic careers, as planetary astronomer and as linguist/educator. But since 1982 (yes, 1982!) they have been full-time dealers in early scientific and medical instruments, under the name Tesseract. Selling primarily by catalogue (over 100 issued so far) they also have a web presence at www.etesseract.com, and can be contacted at [email protected].
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