This example has a wood box with brass corners. The paper label is marked “DAVIS & KIDDER’S / PATENT MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINE / FOR NERVOUS DISEASES” with testimonials addressed to “Mr. ARI DAVIS” from “B. SILLIMAN, SEN.” (at left) and “CHAS. G. PAIGE” (at right). The text at bottom reads “Manufactured and sold by W. H. BURNAP, Sole Proprietor, Lowell, Mass., whose signature is attached to all genuine / Machines. All infringements upon his Patent will be prosecuted.” The “B. Chester, assigned to W. H. Burnap” painted on top of the box must refer to Benjamin Chester, a Lowell inventor who assigned his “Mode of Belting,” U.S. Patent 18,981 (Dec, 22, 1857) to Burnap
Date Made:1857-1865after 1854
Maker:W. H. Burnap
Place Made:United States: Massachusetts, Lowell
Measurements:overall: 11.1 cm x 25.2 cm x 11.2 cm; 4 3/8 in x 9 15/16 in x 4 7/16 in
Source: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_723486. Feb2026
Davis & Kidder's Patent Magneto-Electric Machine - Patented for Nervous Diseases Aug 1, 1854
DTHS-DJ1736
Tex from image: Directions: Connect two metallic chords or wires with the sockets in the ends of the box and apply the handles connected with the other end of the metallic chords or wires to any part of the person through which it is desired to pass the current of electricity
Then turn the crank regulating the strength of the current by the speed and by the knob at the end of the box; it being desirable to increase the strength only to that agreed most ac???able to the patient.
It is less unpleasant to the patient if wet sponges are placed in the ends of the handles, and these applied to the skin as they prevent the prickling sensation.
The sponges should never be put inside of the box while wet or they will rust the machinery.
In applying it for the toothache, Tic-Doloreux, or neuralgia, the operator takes one handle and ???? fingers or sponge over the part affected, while the patient holds the other handle.
In applying it to the foot place of the handles in the water with the foot and hold the other in the hand or apply it to any other part of the person.
The bearings and the spring must be oiled occasionally.
Manufactured and sold by ????AP, sole proprietor, Lowell, Mass., whose signature is attached to all genuine machines. All infringements of the patent will be prosecuted.
From Prof Silliman of Yale College. "Dear Sir, Dr Walter Kidder has exhibited to me a Magneto-Electric machine invented by you. For neatness, compactness and facility and energy of operation, it is far superior to any instrument of the kind which I have seen. For medical application, it possesses very decided advantages. B. Silliman, ??? ??? ???, April ??, 1854
From Professor Page, Washington, March 23, 1854: "Dear Sir, Upon examination and triel, I find your Magneto-Electric Machine more efficient for it's size than any I have ever seen. The improvement you have made is one por??essing much scientific interest. Yours Respectfully, Chas G Paice."
Magneto-electric machine
Maker Joseph Gray & Son (estab. 1849, closed 1965)
Date 1885
Description: Used to treat patients with nervous diseases in the mid to late 19th century, electromagnetic inductions machines like this one were cranked manually to generate an electromagnetic charge, resulting in a patient experiencing a tingling or muscle contraction in the body when holding the two charged electrodes. This prompted questions about the potential therapeutic benefits of electricity, and such machines were tried and recommended for all manner of mental and physical illnesses, and were the original 'shock therapy' machines. They were never subjected to controlled therapeutic trials however, but relied rather on individual testimonials. Reported beneficial results would have been from the placebo effect rather than any specific therapeutic activity. They fell into disrepute as inefficacious.
The machine is housed in a wooden case and includes other components including two bronze tubes and a key for the case.
Source: Magneto-electric machine - Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Museums at The University of Melbourne April 2026
Magneto-electric machine
In the mid-19th century, electrotherapy was all the rage in medical treatments, especially for nerve-related ailments. One of the most intriguing devices from this era is the Improved Magneto-Electric Machine, a piece of medical equipment that combines early electrical science with the belief in its healing powers.
Manufactured by William Skidmore, a surgical instrument maker from Sheffield, England, the device includes inscriptions of ‘Skidmore” and “Sheffield” on the brass mechanisms. This machine is a classic example of the period’s electrotherapeutic tools, with its brass, iron, and felt components, points to its high-quality craftsmanship. Though these machines are now historical curiosities, they were once part of everyday medical practice, with many surviving examples found in museums across Australia and around the world, including the one held in the CALHN Health Museum.
How the Magneto-Electric Machine Works
At its core, the Improved Magneto-Electric Machine operates on the principles of magnetism and electricity. Inside the mahogany box is a rotating pair of coils positioned next to a fixed magnet. The user turns a crank handle to generate an electrical current. The intensity of the current can be adjusted by the speed of the crank and a knob on the side of the box, allowing the operator to control the strength of the electricity being delivered.
The machine features two brass terminals on either side of the box that can be connected to brass-handled wands, which are then applied to the patient’s body. The therapy was typically administered through the skin, where the electrical current was believed to stimulate nerves and muscles, providing relief for various conditions.
Therapeutic Uses and Instructions
The device was used for a wide range of medical complaints, particularly those involving nerve-related pain. The instructions printed on the inside of the box offer insight into how it was used:
“Connect two metallic cords or wires with the Sockets in the ends of the Box, and apply the handles connected with the other ends of the metallic cords or wires to any part of the person through which it is desirable to pass the current of Electricity.”
Magneto-Electric Machine, instructions on the box, Ca 1900
The instructions also suggested that the strength of the electrical current be adjusted to the patient’s tolerance, with sponges recommended to reduce discomfort. The machine was especially popular for treating conditions like toothache, neuralgia, and tic-douloureux (a painful nerve disorder affecting the face). In these cases, the operator would place one handle over the affected area while the patient held the other handle. For other parts of the body, such as the feet, one handle would be placed in water with the foot, while the other would be held in the hand.
The Rise of Electrotherapy in the Victorian Era
Electrotherapy, including the use of machines like the Improved Magneto-Electric Machine, was part of a broader trend during the Victorian era in which electricity was seen as a miracle cure. Medical practitioners believed that electrical currents could stimulate the nervous system, relieve pain, and even cure diseases. These machines were part of a larger group of therapeutic devices that were often used in private practices, clinics, and even at home. For the Victorian public, these machines represented the cutting edge of medical science and hope for healing.
Craftsmanship
One of the most striking aspects of the Improved Magneto-Electric Machine is its craftsmanship. Housed in a polished mahogany box with a brass hinged lid, the device is a beautiful example of Victorian-era industrial design. The brass components, including the coils, terminals, and crank, have an antique elegance, and the interior of the box is carefully laid out to provide a clear, detailed set of instructions for use.
Although we now know that the therapeutic benefits of the Magneto-Electric Machine probably fall into the ‘quackery’ side of medicine, the machines were ground breaking for their time; a reminder of a time when electrical currents were thought to hold the key to many medical mysteries.
Source: Improved Magneto-Electric Machine — Health Museum of South Australia Written by Margot Way, CALHN Health Museum
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