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Electrifying Machine

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Jeannie

Jeannie Report 1 Aug 2006 16:55

As said earlier I've been going through some wills today, and an ancestor in his will of 1834 left: Reflecting Telescope & Electrifying Machine...... I've Googled and all I can see is that it was used ti give someone an electric shock - what on earth would he be doing with one of these ??

Unknown

Unknown Report 1 Aug 2006 17:09

shocking people! No idea. Giving small shocks for experimental purposes? Or maybe for therapy?

BrianW

BrianW Report 1 Aug 2006 17:11

Probably for therapy. My grandfather was an osteopath and he had a machine powered by batteries which was connected to pads. The pads (slightly damp) went onto a limb, usually the leg, and when switched on it made the muscles contract regularly to exercise them.

Jeannie

Jeannie Report 1 Aug 2006 17:12

Hi Helen Just been reading through somstuff on the web, and one was used to treat 'Mrs Galbraith's chilblains' - doesn't say if she ever walked again !! LOL God, I've got some real odd-balls in my tree. Jeanne