IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND APPLYING ELECTRICITY FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVED APPARATUS
FOR GENERATING AND APPLYING ELECTRICITY FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES." A
communication from abroad by Guillaumo Edard, of Paris, France.
Sealed the 15th September 1877, and dated the 31st March 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st March 1877.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND APPLYING ELECTRICITY
FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by Guillaume Edard, of
Paris, France.
This Invention relates to improvements in electro-magnetic apparatus, and in the
employment of the same for producing and applying electricity as a substitute for
Pulvermacher's chain bands, Brandus' brushes, and other analogous appliances.
The Invention consists in providing a source of permanent static electricity, one
element of this dry pile being formed by an electro-magnet of suitable form and
dimensions embedded in magnetic iron ore in the form of dust or sand. Several
elements are combined together to form electric friction brushes, belts, corsets,
abdominal supports, garters, hose, bonnets, and other bodily appliances.
I will describe as an example an electric brush or rubber electrified by means of
the dry pile above mentioned, and which is represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of
the accompanying Drawings in plan, transverse, and longitudinal sections, it being
understood that the form of the brush may be varied.
a, a, are one or more thicknesses of cork enclosing the elements of the dry pile,
vizt., b, the magnetized steel spirals or electro-magnets; c, the magnetic iron ore
dust. The magnets 6 and ore c are enclosed in metal tubes d of copper for example.
e, stoppers or plugs closing the ends of tubes d, to prevent the escape of the
magnetic sand. A, B, north pole; C, D, south pole. The brush is pierced with a
number of longitudinal channels, in which are lodged the copper tubes d. Each of
the channels contains five spirals of magnetized steel, which form by their union a
single magnet, polarized in such manner that the friction brush has four magnets,
forming eight poles, four positive and four negative. The magnetic iron-pre dust

page_text: with which the tubes containing the magnets are filled excites the latter by its
magnetic attraction, thus forming a permanent magneto-electric battery, by reason
of the special magnetic preparation to which the whole is subjected. The magnetic
ore dust is a constant reservoir of magnetic fluid, whose action is continually
renewed and distributed with undiminished strength. By rubbing the body with
this appliance magnetic currents may be passed through the muscles with sufficient
strength to produce a continual attraction and repulsion of the fluid currents.
Figures 4 and 5 show different arrangements of the magneto-electric elements
enclosed in the thickness or thicknesses of cork or hard india-rubber. The different
poles are indicated in these Figures.
Figure 6 shows a magneto-electric belt to be used for the prevention of sea
sickness; a, silk or linen fabric of two or three thicknesses, with or without a
lining. The belt, as shown, is made in the form of a trapezium, in order to facilitate
polarisation. b, longitudinal tubes formed in the belt which are filled with electro-
magnetic ore dust, serving to unite all the poles of similar name into one at each end
of the belt; the one north and the other south. The spaces filled with electro-
magnetic ore dust thus form conductors of the permanent current developed by the
following elements :-c, transverse cells or tubular spaces which may if desired be
rendered impervious, to prevent the escape of the ore dust; d, magnetized and
polarized steel spiral embedded in the magneto-electric ore dust e, with which the
cells c are filled; f, two strips of iron wire gauze applied on the ends of spirals d,
and embedded in the ore contained in tubes b; g, steel buckles without tongues
attached to the north and south poles respectively. When the bolt is used the
buckles are connected so as not to interrupt the current; any other suitable attach-
ment may however be employed.
Figure 7 shows in transverse section an electro-magnetic boot sole, in which a is
the insole of cork; b, ore dust or sand; c, fabric forming a covering for same;
d, outsole of cork; e, fabric which is shown as enveloping the greater part of tho
sole, but it may be applied around the edges only.
Figure 8 shows an electro-magnetic belt for preventing sea sickness, formed of a
number of separate tubes filled with magnetic ore sand. a, b, c, d, e, f, are lengths
of chain to unite the two metal busks g, h, i, j, and d, m, e, n. The first is applied
horizontally upon the epigastrium or pit of the stomach, while the other is applied
to the vertebral column immediately opposite the first mentioned. The busks are
inserted in the thickness of the belt in the positions shown; o, p, q, buckles;
r, s, t, straps. The whole of the belt is covered on the one side with an insulating
material such as silk or linen, while the inside surface of the tubes and busks aro
applied next the skin; this kind of belt may also be used without the busks.
Figure 9 shows another form of electro-magnetic belt for the prevention of sea
sickness. a, b, c, buckles, or a single one only may be substituted of the samė
breadth as the belt. The belt is divided centrally throughout its length by a tube
filled with electric-magnetic ore sand, on either side of which extend a series of
diagonal tubes also filled with the sand, and uniting with the central tube, which
receives and collects the several currents. d, e, f, tabs, or one single tab only may
be used. The belt is lined the same as the foregoing, and both are made wider
at one end than at the other, for the purpose of determining the direction of the
current.
Figure 10 shows an umbilical belt. a, b, c, buckles; d, e, f, g, metal busk placed
perpendicular to the length of the belt; h, i, j, k, diagonal dorsal busk. The form
and arrangement of the busks may be varied. I m, mh, jp, conducting chains
connecting the busks with the ends of the belt. It will be seen that the tubes all
run in the same direction. The belt is lined and may be used without the busks
and chains, in which case it would be formed of a series of parallel tubes containing
the magnetic elements.
Figure 11 shows an electro-magnetic head band. a, b, c, d, vertical tubes filled
with magnetic ore sand and made longer at one end than at the other, so as to

page_text: determine the direction of the current; e, f, buckle and tab; g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n,
silk straps for holding the band in place; o, p, p, r, temple straps.
Figure 12 shows an appliance for the chest and back made in two parts. The
part a, b, c, d, e, f, which is to be applied on the chest, is formed of two series of
horizontal tubes filled with ore sand with a vertical busk g, h, i,j; the horizontal
tubes unite in a central vertical tube d, j. The part k, l, m, n, forms the back piece
and is composed of two series of diagonal tubes uniting in a single vertical tube s. t.
Upon the back piece is applied the busk o, p, q, r, in a diagonal position; chains
contained in the vertical tubes s, t, d,j, serve to connect the busks. The back and
front pieces are connected by buckling at the shoulders u, v, q, y, z, «². t, b², c¹, d², repre-
sents the opening for the neck. The front and back may also be made in one piece
by making an opening large enough for the head to pass through.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th
September 1877
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND APPLYING ELECTRICITY
FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by Guillaume Edard, of
Paris, France.
This Invention relates to improvements in electro-magnetic apparatus, and in the
employment of the same for producing and applying electricity as a substitute for
Pulvermacher's chain bands, Brandus' brushes, and other analogous appliances.
The Invention consists in providing a source of permanent static electricity, one
element of this dry pile being formed by an electro-magnet of suitable formn and
dimensions embedded in magnetic iron sand, such as is found on the sea shore in
some parts, and obtained from other sources. Several elements are combined
together to form electric friction brushes, belts, corsets, abdominal supports, chest
and back pads, garters, hose, bonnets, and other bodily appliances.
I will describe as an example an electric brush or rubber, electrified by means of
the dry pile above mentioned, and which is represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the
accompanying Drawings in plan, transverse, and longitudinal sections, it being
understood that the form and arrangement of the brush may be varied.
a, a, are one or more thicknesses of cork, enclosing the elements of the dry pile,
vizt., b, the magnetised steel spirals or electro-magnets; c, the magnetic iron sand.
The magnets 6 and sand c are enclosed in metal tubes d of copper, for example; c,
stoppers or plugs closing the ends of tubes d to prevent the escape of the magnetic
iron sand. A, B, north pole; C, D, south pole. The brush is pierced with a number
of longitudinal channels, in which are lodged the copper tubes d. Each of the
channels coutains five spirals of magnetised steel, which form by their union a
single magnet polarised in such manner that the friction brush has four magnets,
forming eight poles, four positive and four negative. The magnetic iron sand with
which the tubes containing the magnets are filled excites the latter by its natural
magnetic attraction, thus forming a permanent magneto-electric battery, by reason
of the special magnetic preparation to which the whole is subjected. The magnetic
iron sand is a constant reservoir of magnetic fluid, whose action is continually
renewed and distributed with undiminished strength. By rubbing the body with
this appliance magnetic currents may be passed through the muscles of sufficient
strength to produce a continual attraction and repulsion of the fluid currents.
Figures and 5 show different arrangements of the magneto-electric elements
enclosed in the thickness or thicknesses of cork or hard india-rubber. The different
poles are indicated in these Figures.
Figure 6 shows a magneto-electric belt to be used for the prevention of sea sick-

page_text: ness. a, silk or linen fabric of two or three thicknesses, with or without a lining.
The belt, as shown, is made in the form of a trapezium, in order to facilitate polari-
sation. b, longitudinal tubes formed in the belt, which are filled with electro-
magnetic sand, serving to unite all the poles of similar name into one at each end of
the belt, the one north, and the other south. The spaces filled with electro-magnetic
sand thus form conductors of the permanent current, developed by the following
elements:-c, transverse cells or tubular spaces, which may if desired be rendered
impervious to prevent the escape of the sand; d, magnetized and polarized steel
spiral embedded in the magneto-electric iron sand e, with which the cells care
filled two strips of iron wire gauze applied on the ends of spirals d, and
embedded in the sand contained in tubes b; g, steel buckles without tongues,
attached to the north and south poles respectively. When the belt is used the
buckles are connected, so as not to interrupt the current; any other suitable attach-
ment may however be employed.
Figure 7 shows in transverse section an electro-magnetic boot sole, in which a is
the insole of cork; b, iron sand; c, fabric forming a covering for same; d, outsolo
of cork;
fabric which is shown as enveloping the greater part of the sole, but it
may be applied around the edges only.
Figure 8 shows an electro-magnetic belt for preventing sen sickness formed of a
pumber of separate tubes filled with magnetic iron sand. a, b, c, d, e, f, are short
lengths of chain to unite the two metal busks g, h, i, j, and d, m, e, n. The first is
applied horizontally upon the epigastrium or pit of the stomach, while the other is
applied to the vertebral column immediately opposite the first mentioned. The
busks are inserted in the thickness of the belt in the positions shown; o, P, Q,
buckles; r, s, t, straps. The whole of the belt is covered on the one side with an
insulating material, such as silk or linen, while the inside surface of the tubes and
busks are applied next the skin This kind of belt may also be used without the
busks.
Figure 9 shows another form of electro-magnetic belt for the prevention of sen
sickness. a, b, c, buckles, or a single one only may be substituted of the same
breadth as the belt. The belt is divided centrally throughout its length by a tube
filled with electro-magnetic iron sand, on either side of which extend a series of
diagonal tubes, also filled with sand, and uniting with the central tube, which
receives and collects the several currents. d, e, f, tabs, or one single tab only may be
used. The belt is lined the same as the foregoing, and both are inade wider at one:
end than at the other for the purpose of determining the direction of the current.
Figure 10 shows an umbilical belt. a, b, c, buckles; d, e, f, g, metal busk placed
perpendicular to the length of the belt; h, i, j, k, diagonal dorsal metallic busk.
The form and arrangement of the busks may be varied. Im, m h, jp, short lengths
of conducting chains, connecting the busks with the ends of the belt. It will be
seen that the tubes all run in the same direction. The belt is lined, and may be
used without the busks and chains, in which case it would be formed of a series of
parallel tubes containing the magnetic clements.
Figure 11 shows an electro-magnetic head band. a, b, c, d, vertical tubes filled
with magnetic iron sand, and made longer at one end than at the other, so as to
determine the direction of the current; e, f, buckle and tab; g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, silk
straps for holding the band in place; 0, 2, 9, 1, temple straps.
Figure 12 shows a pad or appliance for the chest and back, made in two parts.
The part a, b, c, d, e, f, which is to be applied on the chest is formed of two series of
horizontal tubes filled with iron sand, with a vertical busk g, h, i, j. The horizontal
tubes unite in a central vertical tube d, j; the part k, l, m, n, forms the back piece,
and is composed of two series of diagonal tubes uniting in a single vertical tube 8, t.
Upon the back piece is applied the busk o, p, q, r, in a diagonal position. Chains
contained in the vertical tubes 8 t, dj, serve to connect the busks. The back and
front pieces are connected by buckling at the shoulders u, v, w, y, z, a². t, b', u', d', i
represents the opening for the neck; the front and back may also be made in one
piece by making an opening large enough for the head to pass through.
.

page_text: Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is, the apparatus for generating and applying
electricity for medical purposes, substantially as shown and described, or combined
with articles of wearing apparel, as specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.