Beautiful antique medical device from around 1860. This Improved Magneto Electric machine is made for the treatment of nervous diseases. In the 1800s, mild electric shocks were a popular treatment for all kind of diseases. At the time it was believed that any disease may be cured or greatly alleviated through electricity. Although little more than medical quackery, these machines were popular and used in treatment, including nervous headache, toothache, tic doloreaux, lumbago, and all forms of nervous pain. Electricity was produced by turning the crank. The speed of turning the crank regulated the strength of the current and by this the strength of the electric shock delivered to patients. To protect the patient, the user was advised that it is ‘desirable to increase the strength only to that degree most agreeable to the patient’. Amazing! The machine is complete (key is missing), in good original old condition and in a beautiful mahogany box with the original beautiful and quirky old instruction in the lid. Approx. 25x11.5x11.5cm