"Quackery"

"Quackery" General

A set of Perkins Tractors in their original case dating to the end of the 18th century. Each is marked "PERKINS PATENT TRACTORS" less clear on the steel than the brass rod. Elisha Perkins gave us one of history's most salient examples of the influence of quackery. He claimed the rods were made of rare metal alloys and he peddled them as a panacea which would "draw off the noxious electrical fluid that lay at the root of suffering". They were not, and did not. But despite their lack of effectiveness he obtained a medical patent for them, published literature and with the help of his son, successfully marketed them throughout America and Europe. The story is legend, and the tractors which were once in plentiful supply are now few and far between.

An antique snuff box made from papier-mâché with a hand painted illustration of a patient suffering the use of Perkins Tractors at the hands of his physician. This is a based on the humorous 1801 print "Metallic Tractors" by James Gillray, celebrated English illustrator and satirist of the time. The tractors were peddled as a panacea by their inventor Elisha Perkins and despite their ineffectiveness, were very fashionable throughout Europe and America in the early 1800s. The artist has not tried to make an exact copy, but has in his or her own style faithfully reproduced the components in Gillray's scene with the table, brandy bottle, steaming punch jug, pipe and newspaper, down the to attentive, sympathetic dog in the corner. In very good condition for its 200 years and measures 85 x 18 mm.

Invented by Dr Hercules Sanche of Michegan and patented June the 24th in 1890. "To cure all form of Disease quickly, intangibly, pleasantly, infallibly, during sleep or while awake; and to brace the human system in all conditions, with Animation never known and not otherwise attained, whether in Disease of Debility, or in Fatique, and in all Physical and Mental Ordeals". The user was required to place the central metal tube or "Vocor" in a jar of iced water and then attach the the contact disk until better! The original box has some wear but the Oxydonor is unusually complete with ornately engraved Vocor and outer metal casing and the original cord, buckle and contact disc, along with the 114 page instruction manual.

Phrenology, is the study of the shape of the skull which was thought to correlate with specific localised brain functions. It remained popular in Europe and America throughout the 19th century (but was shown to be unfounded by Magendie as early as 1843). This beautiful antique porcelain phrenology bust and inkwell is signed "By F Bridges Phrenologist" and dates to the 1850s. Frederick Bridges, was a renowned English phrenologist. He was author of the book "Phrenology Made Practical", which was popular enough to have reached several editions. His bust was usually fired in blue and white colours, which are hard enough to find, but this is one of the rare examples with gilded decoration. In excellent condition. Dimensions 80 x 73 c 140 mm
Pollution, pestilence and lack of sanitation all contributed to the stench of Victorian Britain. "Respirators" were intended to protect the wearer both from the noxious environs and from illness. The Aethereon respirator claimed to be a "preventative of coughs, colds and disease of the lungs in the healthy" as well as a "perfect alleviative to invalids", although it is unlikely that it would have been any more effective than a simple scarf. This example is made from black and purple silk sewn with padding around two thin, finely perforated gold plated grids and comes with its original box and instructions. It cost the tidy sum of 8 shillings and a similar silver plated version was available for 5 shillings.

The top of the instrument is marked (translated from German) "P. Semerak - Institute for Therapeutical Cosmetic and Massage, Niederloessnitz near Dresden". The letters D.R.G.M stand for "Deutsches Reichsgebrauchsmuster" or registered utility patent of the Deutsches Reich and this is found on many all German products produced between 1891 and 1949. Often referred to as "the patent of the ordinary man" it gave patent protection for 10 years. The massager would have been made between 1891 and 1923, after which the town Niederlössnitz near Dresden was renamed "Kötzschenbroda". (Thanks to Timo Rybicki for this information). The body is made from two flat pieces of wood over which a plated metal frame has been secured. The underside shows the internal mechanism. Rubber hammers attached to steel springs are made taught and released by the turning of 5 wooden wheels. When the wheels are run over an area of skin the subject experiences a pummeling from each of the four rubber hammers in turn. The force with which they strike can be adjusted by a screw at one end. Dimensions 65 x 70 x 150 mm.

A vintage Czechoslovakian instrument of Faradisation (the application of faradic current to stimulate muscles and nerves). Made in Prague and housed with a certificate of authenticity in it original lined case. The heavy metal cylinder is held in the hand and the two rubber pronged wheels are rolled over the subject's skin. This generates an electrostatic charge which is discharge onto the patient. The machine still works and packs quite a punch! The force of the charge can be varied by a graduated control on the reverse side. Marked with registration no. L78464

A superb mahogany cased Violet Ray apparatus from the first half of the 20th century. Used as a panacea to 'cure' arthritis amongst other ills. I have not been able to get the brush to work and there may be a loose connection in the handle (although even the theoretical application for this is piece is rather tenuous). A very fine and otherwise fully functional unit (see photos) which displays beautifully
This is the original "Macaura's Pulsocon" later renamed Macaura's Blood Circulator. British patent 13932. A similar example can be seen in the Wellcome Medical Exhibition in the London Science Museum. Possibly mid 1880's although in they were in production as late as the 1920s. The instrument is fully functional. It is secured with one hand and the vibrating plate placed over the desired body part. Turning the handle with the other hand produces a surprizingly intense vibration over the affected area. It comes with a full complement of paperwork (16 and 58 page booklets and a pamphlet) all in excellent condition.

A 19th century plaster phrenology bust. Most of the labels have worn away but the front pedestal reads "Phrenology" followed by a partially legible sentence "Each ...... has the same organs" and then "Approved by Fowler & Wells New York". The writing on the back of the stand is less clear with the only barely legible text being "Published 1872". The bust has age related wear and noting a repair to the nose is in fair condition.

3cm in diameter, consisting of a series of discs made from different metals and worn around the neck. A small electrical current was known to be caused by the juxtaposition of different metals. The theory was that this would be effective in treating various rheumatic complaints. Marked 17th January 1878
An attractive turn of the century quackery device in the form of a pendant. The knowledge that electrical currents were created when certain metal were juxtaposed was the basis on which many such devices were said to have widespread therapeutic effects as galvanic generators (galvanism). One of the more common of these was the Boyd's battery. This example is most unusual in having the metals framed in a gagate pendant. The reverse side shows and exquisitely rendered cherub with electric bolts emanating from both hands with the periphery embroidered in flowers. Marked London Galvanic Generator, Pall Mall Electrical Association.