AN IMPROVED GALVANIC BATTERY
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charlotta Helena Carlson, of Lee, in the County of Kent,
for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED GALVANIC BATTERY."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charlotta Helena Carlson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th July 1879.
CHARLOTTA HELENA CARLSON, of Lee, in the County of Kent. "AN IMPROVED
GALVANIC BATTERY."
My Invention consists of an arrangement of zinc and copper plates or other
suitable elements placed parallel to each other, and seperated by paper, cardboard,
or other suitable material, such as felt or flannel saturated in a specially exciting
salt or basic acid, such as chloride of ammonium, or bichromate of potash, so that
when such exciting medium is dry and untouched there is no action, but when com-
bined with a slightly acid or saline solution (such as the perspiration of the body)
a slight & gentle electrical current is produced, and passes through that part of the
body completing the circuit between the positive and negative poles of the elements.
In order that the perspiration may have free access to the battery, I use for one of
the elements a perforated sheet of metal, preferably copper, or other suitable metal,
which plate is worn nearest the body in such a manner that the perspiration
and warmth of the body may pass freely to the exciter. The two plates and the
exciter are covered with washleather or other suitable material, and the metal
terminals of the elements are brought outside such covering so as to complete
the circuit through the body. The electric back supporter is fixed by suitable
bands to the body, and may be used in stays, braces, belts, or by itself, as may be
desirable.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charlotta Helena Carlson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th
January 1880.
CHARLOTTA HELENA CARLSON, of Lee, in the County of Kent. "AN IMPROVED
GALVANIC BATTERY."
My Invention consists of an arrangement of zinc and copper plates or other
suitable elements placed parallel to each other in a compact and suitable form, with
a specially retained exciting salt or basic acid between them of such a character
that when such exciting medium is dry and untouched there is no action, but
when combined with a slightly acid or saline solution (such as the perspiration
of the body) a slight and gentle electrical current is produced, and passes through
that part of the body completing the circuit between the positive and negative
poles of the elements. In order that the perspiration may have free access to the
battery, I use for one of the elements a perforated sheet of metal or other suitable
material, which plate is worn nearest the body in such a manner that the per-
spiration and warmth of the body pass freely to the exciter. The two plates and
the exciter are covered with wash leather or other porous material, and the metal
terminals of the elements are brought outside such covering so as to complete
circuit; and said plates may be used in stays, braces, belts, or by themselves, or in
other convenient forms, as may be desirable. The exciting salt I prefer to use
is sal-amoniac, and I prefer to use coarse blotting paper as the medium for holding
such salt, which I make into a saturated solution for the purpose; when the paper
is well imbued I allow it to dry gradually, and it is then ready to be placed
between the metal plates, one of which I prefer to make of copper gauze, the other
of sheet zine; the battery thus formed is enclosed within wash leather, and is
ready to form part of or be inserted in any garment, or worn as a belt, pad, locket,
or other device.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charlotta Helena Carlson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of January, A.D. 1880.