Improved Galvano Electric Belt or Bandage.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 12th June, 1893-Accepted, 5th Aug., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Galvano Electric Belt or Bandage.
A communication by HEINRICH THEODOR BIERMANNS, of Frankfort-on-the-Main,
in the Empire of Germany.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street, Manchester,
both in the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
This improved galvano electric belt or bandage is shown on the annexed drawing,
in which-
Figure 1 is a front view of the belt or bandage;
Figure 2 a sectional view on the line, Figure 1, whilst,
Figure 3 shows the reverse side of the belt or bandage, and
Figure 4 shows how the same is to be worn.
On the felt or flannel strip A are fastened by means of non-conducting material
(hempen thread) zinc discs or plates a with three eyelets or holes a¹ a² a³ and also
copper discs or plates b, with a hook and a hole s, for absorbing the liquid. The
holes a² a³ serve for hanging in the gold lace or gold cord L for the purpose of
increasing or decreasing the strength of the electric current. The gold lace or
cord L serves also for bringing the current to the different parts of the body.
These plates are so arranged that each zinc plate a and each copper plate b forms,
in combination with the felt bedding or plate A, a galvanic element. For
increasing the strength of the current, several elements are so fastened upon the
felt strip A that the hook 6' of the copper plates b grips into the eyelets a¹ of the
zine plate a by which means a galvanic chain is formed. On the strip of felt A
there are further strings or tapes B B as well as button holes C C. On one side
of the belt or bandage, the entire series of copper plates are covered with cotton
pieces w w so as to prevent conducting connection of the two separated elements
owing to the perspiration arising from the body when the belt or bandage is being
worn. When the electric belt or bandage has to be worn and the electric current
has to be developed, the side of the belt or bandage on which the copper and zinc
plates are fitted is rubbed over with a sponge well damped with good acetic acid.
The other side of the belt or bandage, that is, the one on which the copper elements
are covered with pieces of cotton and which is not moistened, will lie against the
bare skin. Owing to the felt A being impregnated with acetic acid, an electric
current arises on the principle of the Volta pile which by the wearing of the belt
or bandage, Figure 4, has effect on the part of the body covered with it. If the
electric belt is worn on the back, the current can be led by means of a gold thread
to different parts of the body. If the electric belt need only give off a very weak
current, the elements are not hooked together but are only fastened by means of
the copper and zinc being sewn together. It will of course be understood that the
gold cord need not necessarily be applied. The strings or bands B B serve for
fastening the belt to the body whilst the button holes CC serve for fastening the
belt on the inner side of the shirt to buttons, which will be sewn thereon, if the
same has to be worn permanently along the back to stimulate or excite the central
nerve system. For keeping the electric belt in a good condition, the same can be
placed after use in a hot soda solution for 10 or 15 minutes and should then be dried
as quickly as possible in the air or hung before the fire.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is-
A galvano electric belt or bandage consisting of a felt or flannel strip A
provided with strings or tapes B B and button holes C C, and when worn being
impregnated with acetic acid, and on which strip A are fastened, by means of a
non-conducting material, zinc plates a having eyelets or holes a' a² a³ and copper
plates having hooks baud holes s, these parts being thus formed into a galvanic
chain and in which belt or bandage the current may be brought to different parts of
the body by means of a gold cord or lace substantially as described.
Dated this 10th day of June 1893.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.