IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MAGNETIC STAYS, CORSETS, BODICES, AND OTHER FEMALE AND MALE GARMENTS, FOR THE RELIEF AND CURE OF DISEASE
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Willian Wilson; of Alpha House, Stokescroft, Bristol, in
the County of Gloucester, and of Cork, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MAGNETIC STAYS, CORSETS, BODICES, AND OTHER
FEMALE AND MALE GARMENTS, FOR THE RELIEF AND CURE OF DISEASE.”
Sealed the 9th January 1880, and dated the 15th July 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Wilson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th July 1879.
WILLIAM WILSON, of Alpha House, Stokescroft, Bristol, in the County of
Gloucester, and of Cork. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MAGNETIC
STAYS, CORSETS, BODICES, AND OTHER FEMALE AND MALE GARMENTS, FOR THE
RELIEF AND CURE OF DISEASE."
This Invention relates to improvements in magnetic corsets, stays, vests, bodices,
and other male and female magnetic garments, and my improvements consist in
perforating the magnets with three or other number of holes, the object of which is
to set up a local electric action when the said magnets are fastened to the fabric by
eyelets of suitable mixed metals, such as brass or other alloy.
Another improvement consists in the covering by lacquer all parts of the magnets
except the ends where the eyelets come in contact so that the aforesaid local action
shall be increased. I also apply perforated magnets to ladies' corsets, bodices, and
other under garments.
A further improvement consists in introducing into ladies' corsets a strip of zinc
and a strip of copper attached to the steel magnets, and between which copper and
zinc I insert a piece of calico or other fabric or membrane saturated with an
absorbing salt, so as to collect the moisture of the body and so set up a galvanic
[Price Gidl

page_text: action, which galvanism is carried into the steel magnets, so making up or supplying
the-waste-of-magnetism_taking_place_in_magnetic corsets where only magnetic.
plates are used.
I make ladies' corsets of india rubber cloths and eyelet the same through the
magnets for the purpose:of-ventilation; and another improvement consists in per-
forating the busks of ladies' stays or corsets and so making a compound magnet in
its length by separating the metals by means of the eyelets passing through them,
thus forming a spinal magnet-and-a-breast-plate magnet from the busks-so-per-
forated.
The above improvements are also applicable for other garments.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th January
1880.
WILLIAM WILSON, of Alpha House, Stokescroft, Bristol, in the County of
Gloucester, and of Cork. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MAGNETIC
STAYS, CORSETS, BODICES, AND OTHER FEMALE AND MALE GARMENTS, FOR THE
RELIEF AND CURE OF DISEASE."
This Invention relates to improvements in magnetic corsets, stays, vests, bodices,
and other male and female magnetic garments, and my improvements consist in
perforating the magnets with three or other number of holes, the object of which is
to set up a local electric action when the said magnets are fastened to the fabric by
eyelets of suitable mixed metals such as brass or other alloy.
Another improvement consists in the covering by lacquer all parts of the magnets
except the ends where the eyelets come in contact so that the aforesaid local action
shall be increased. I also apply perforated magnets to ladies' corsets, bodices, and
other under garments.
I sometimes adapt to my appliances the dry pile system of setting up galvanic
currents by the contact of two dissimilar metals by attaching copper and zinc discs
to the magnets fastened thereto by an eyelet of suitable mixed metals, or a copper
eyelet may be used, in which case I use only a zinc disc fastened on the magnet
by the pressed end of the copper eyelet, thus dispensing with the copper discs where
brass or other alloys are used for the eyelets. This part of my Invention is more
particularly applicable to "lung invigorators," but it may also be found applicable
to other garments or appliances.
A further improvement consists in introducing into ladies' corsets and other gar-
ments a strip of zinc and a strip of copper attached to the steel magnets and between
which copper and zinc I insert a piece of calico or other fabric or membrano
saturated with an absorbing salt so as to collect the moisture of the body, and so set
up a galvanic action, which galvanisin is carried into the steel magnets, so making
up or supplying the waste of magnetism taking place in magnetic corsets and other
garments where only magnetic plates are used.
I spread a thick layer of india rubber in solution over the whole surface of the
interior of magnetic appliances, except the portions, over the lining fabric or membrane
inserted between the copper and zinc plates, such membranes being left free to
absorb the moisture of the body and attract its acids between the copper and zinc
plates, thereby setting up galvanic action.
I sometimes make ladies' corsets of india rubber cloths and eyelet the same
through the magnets for the purpose of ventilation, and another improvement
consists in perforating the busks of ladies' stays or corsets and so making a compound
magnet in its length by separating the metals by means of the eyelets passing through
them, thus forming a spinal magnet and a breast plate magnet from the busks so
perforated.
The above improvements are also applicable to other garments.
But to make my Invention better understood, I will proceed to describe the
same by reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which Figure 1 represents an
exterior view of a lumbago belt constructed according to my improvements; Figure
2, an interior view of the same with the lining removed to shew the arrangement
of the magnets; Figure 3, section on line A, B, of Figure 1.
a, a, a, shew the magnets each perforated with three holes; b, b, are the eyelets
of brass or other suitable alloy passing through the holes in the magnets so as to
fasten the magnets to the fabric, and thereby cause a local electric action to be set
up. The said magnets a are preferably covered with lacquer, except the ends where
the eyelets are placed, whereby the aforesaid local action will be increased; c and d

page_text: shew the strips of zinc and copper attached to some of the magnets by the eyelets,
as shewn and e is the piece of calico or other fabric or metubrane placed between
the said strips, such fabric or membrane being saturated with an absorbing-salt-for-
the purpose herein before described; f, f, are the elastic portions of the belt; g, I,
straps, and h, h, buckles by which the belt is fastened.
Although in the Drawing I have only shewn my improvements applied to a belt
suitable for the treatment of lumbago,.it will be understood that the principle of
the Invention-is-applicable to other magnetic appliances or garments, the magnets
and other portions in metal being arranged and adjusted to suit the shape of the
portion of the body to which the garment to be applied.
Having thus described my Invention, and the best means with which I am
acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that I
do not confine myself to the precise details herein laid down and shewn in the
Drawing, as the same may be varied without departing from the peculiar character
of my Invention, but what I claim is,-
Firstly. Perforating the magnets of magnetic garments or appliances with three
or other suitable number of holes to allow of the same being fastened to the fabric
by means of eyelets, substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore
described and represented in the accompanying Drawing.
Secondly, The lacquering the magnets of magnetic garments or appliances as and
for the purpose described.
Thirdly. The combination with the magnets of strips of zinc and copper separated
by a piece of fabric saturated with an absorbing salt, substantially in the manner
and for the purposes described and represented in the accompanying Drawing.
Fourthly. The use and employment of india rubber cloths in the manufacture of
magnetic corsets and other curative appliances, as hereinbefore described.
Fifthly. The placing of a disc of zinc and a disc of copper on the magnet fastened
thereto by an eyelet through holes formed for that purpose as and for the purpose
herein before described.
Sixthly. Perforating steel stay and corset busks and attaching thereto discs of
copper and zinc for the purpose of setting up galvanic action in addition to the
magnetization of the busks so treated, substantially as herein before described.
Seventhly. The spreading of a layer of india rubber over the whole surface of the
interior of magnetic appliances, excepting the fabric or membrane passing between
the zinc and copper plates attached to the perforated magnets, as hereinbefore
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Wilson, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One thou-