The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-04-25
VOLTAIC .ARMADILLC.
That Wicked Theft,


From Halls journal of Health, April, 1876.
just as we go to press we receive a copy of
the Cincinnati DAILY STAR, containing an ad-
vertisement which covers precisely half page
of that paper, and which emanates from the
"Volta Belt Company of Cincinnati. 1t ap-
pears that the 'Volta Belt Company is trou-
bled because in our issue for January, 1876, we
characterized their shameless distortion of an
editorial which we wrote in our number for
April, 1875, as "a Wicked Theft" and that
they now seek to escape the penalty
always attaching to unfair conduct, by de-
crying the standing and influence of the JOUR-
NAL OF HEALTH. We do not care to allude to
this Belt Company again, having already
stated in substance that we were compelled to
look with suspicion upon concern which
could SO far subvert our meaning by the omis-
sion of important words when claiming to-
quote our language, as to make US appear to
be bearing testimony to the value of the appli-
ances which they manufacture. 1t matters
very little what opinion these belt persons may
hold of the JOURNAL; it is of great importance
to all right minded men that our utterances
should not be wrested from their plain intent,
and made to seemingly foster and sustain that
to us utterly unknown quantity, the Volta Belt
Company Of Cincinnati.
The trouble appears to be that when we
discussed the subject Of electrical action and
its application to diseased conditions, in our
April, 1915, issue, we spoke some commenda.
tory words Of the appliances made by Mr.. f. j.
Sebert, of this city. These belts, and bands,
and shoe-soles we had used in several cases,
and from their use excellent results had fol-
lowed, We believe we were doing our readers
real service in explaining the uses and ad-
vantages of these simple and inexpensive in
struments, at time when, as never before.
the minds Of the medical profession are active
ly engaged in discussing the value of the vari-
Gus methods of inducing the electrical sphe-
nomena, and employing the power of this
subtle and mysterious agent in the healing
processes. We have examined scores of
electrical disks ana chains and belts from
Pulvermacher's down, and we are bound to de-
clare that the same principle is involved in all
| Of them. To claim that the chain of Pulver-
macher embodies any principle or exhibits any
| power which SieDert's goods do not, is the
/ sheerest folly. In this view we are abundantly
| sustained by many medical writer's. That able
medical publication, the New York Physician
1 and Pharmacist" in its issue of November
i last, speaks as follows: "The Pulvermacher
chain, which has received the distinguished
| appreciation of Sir Charles Locock and other
| European scientists, is largely used in En-
4 gland, and, as the Armadillo performs the
4 same functions and presents the same princi-
4 pies, only in more convenient form, there is
4 no reason why it should not attain the same
i celebrity here" ~. - AJt
| So far rs we have examined and tested the
i electric appliances Of many makers, we dis
| cover no difference in power or in results.
Seiberts goods have some advantages; they
arc OF very convenient shape, are easily ap-
Piled and comfortably worn, and are quite
4 reasonable in price, We have seen O good
| many sufferers from painful neuralgia afiec-
| tions and distressing nervous disorders, who
| assert that these articles OF seIbefps-to which
he has given the general name of sVoltaic
| Armadillo"--have rendered signal and lasting
| service Physicians innumerable have en-
| ployed them and testify to their efficacy. They
ARE probably as good as anything of the kind
can be, and will do all that ought to be ex-
peeted OF such appliances. f ei -
These Cincinnati belt people take great
pains, and occupy much space to show that
| Seibert's goods, it does it in spite Of the ad-
verse opinions Of writer's in the POPULAR
4 SCIENCE MONTHLY. and the PHILADELPHIA
i MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER. This
4 MlBht NIL pc tiuoS anu ySo WC 5houlu uot Con-
Il slider it our duty to adopt the conclusions Of
/ persons who. have not,iit may be, given the
subject as careful Investigation as II has re-
fsiyed at 9ar S4ryds find in the
Il 1875, page ~ 639, an editorial - ad-
i mission that the illusions TO the AFmadillo in
/ a previous isstie were made without any direct
4 knowledge Of the appliance. Thsis, of course,
a complete retraction Of any previous criticism
/ upon the Instruments, Ihel article in the
/ PAILADELPHIA MEDICAL AND SURGICAL RB-
editor, who had never even seen the "Arma.
dilio," 1t was prepared by q party in the in.
tefest OF rival house. This was the statement
Of the editor Of the REPORTER to another editor
In New Y ork. OF course, loose statements thu
uttered will have little effect when weighee
i with q mature Judgment, based upon thought.
full, Intelligent and long-continued inyasuiaa'
ltion. -r,.'r-- 5i7- --,---,-
4 But this unhappiness on the part of the Gin
lcinnati belt'pers0nages Is a. matter Of no con.
lcern 10 the publcjg Suffering humanity ONLY
asks whatdtshall do t0le saved ifrom AVOID.
liable pain, and it isyery likely to accept th'
Hand reputable We utter no ''puffsV the Ian
Iguage offlattery is @ dead tongue to U.s. w,
.Itfy 70 speak the truth, let III help or harm who
7 ever IT. will. And with the simpl
Ithought uppermost in our minds that Mr. Sci
bertan his goods have been uni Justly at
tackled. and thatIwhat we were lmpelled to sa.
lin their behalf has been employed, after dis
: torlion, TO glveacredence and popularity TO .
device u which we know nothing, we are i'm
Armadillo valuable appliance in those case
! In which q continuous electrical current ha
emed 10 be indicated q .I.-.4s-}