CERTAIN IMPROVED MODES OR METHODS OF APPLYING GALVANISM AND MAGNETISM TO CURATIVE AND SANATORY PURPOSES;
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
LUDOVIC AUGUSTUS MEINIG, of Hamburgh, now residing in London, Merchant,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present Most Excellent Majesty, Queen Victoria, by
Her Royal Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Seventeenth
day of November, One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, in the
Thirteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and sucsessors,
give and grant unto me the said Charles Ludovic Augustus Meinig, my
exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege
and authority, that I, the said Charles Ludovic Augustus Meinig, my exors,
admors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said Charles Ludovic
Augustus Meinig, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term
of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in
the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all
Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, the Invention of "CERTAIN
IMPROVED MODES OR METHODS OF APPLYING GALVANISM AND MAGNETISM TO CURATIVE
AND SANATORY PURPOSES;" communicated to me from abroad, in which said
Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that I, the said Charles Ludovic
Augustus Meinig, should cause a particular description of the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by
an instrument. in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled. in Her
A

page_text: said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as
in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the
said Charles Ludovic Augustus Meinig, do hereby declare that the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, are fully
described and ascertained in and by the present Specification thereof, reference
being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:-
Whereas it has been found that portable magnets, that is to say, magnets
attached close to and worn on the human body, exercise a beneficial effect
on the same in many cases of disease. And whereas also ailing persons
have with like advantage been subjected for some minutes, and even hours,
to the influence of powerful eletro. magnets held to the body by other
persons, or placed in certain positions opposite to them. In the former
case the action is mild but constant; in the latter powerful but short.
Portable magnets possess the advantage of allowing the patient freedom
of movement during their application, whereas the advantage of electro
magnets may be considered as consisting in the facilities the offer for modifying,
interrupting, and even reversing their effects, by modifying, interrupting; or
reversing the electric currents, which are the source of their magnetism.
Now my Invention has,-
Firstly, for its object to combine to a certain extent the advantages
of both methods, by employing portable electro magnets instead of constant
magnets, which electro magnets are constructed so as to be applied to, and
worn on the body without the constant aid of the patient himself or others,
and so as to allow of the free movement of the patient within the limits always
prescribed by their necessary connection with the source of the electric
currents from which their magnetism is to be derived. I employ for
this purpose pieces of soft iron, of a shape suited to the part of the body
to which they are to be applied or fastened, and of forms and dimen-
sions corresponding to the effect intended. to be produced; and I' wind
over and upon such pieces of iron coils of insulated copper or other
suitable metal wire, in the manner usually adopted. The poles of the electro
magnets project from the coils, and fall at such points of the pieces of iron as,
when applied, will be next to the body, or at least not separated therefrom: by
the coil.
Figure 1 of the annexed Drawings represents a portable electro magnet
suitable for application to the wrist of the hand! a and b are the poles.

page_text: C₁.C, the coil through which an electric current is sent by means of the unin-
sulated ends. of the coil being connected with the conductors or poles of a
voltaic battery or other source of electricity. d and e'are bands or cords by
which the electro magnet is fastened on the wrist with one pole on the upper
and the other pole on the under side of the same. The wrist is thereby
subjected to the magnetic influence between the poles in a degree and manner
proportioned to the electric current by which the iron is magnetized, and to
the length or number of windings of the coil.
Figure 2 represents an electr magnet adapted to be applied to and fastened
on different parts of the body, with the plane a, c, b, close to the same.
a and b are the poles, c' the coil, and da hoop of copper soldered to the iron,
and projecting above the coil, so that a band or cord may be drawn through
or fastened to it, to keep the apparatus in its place.
Figure 3 represents a band or bandage of leather or other suitable material
a, a, to which rods of iron, b; b, b, are sewed at some distance from and parallel
with each other, the rods, being made a little thicker at the ends, in order that
these may be in a plane with the coil surrounding the middle of. the rods.
Before the rods are sewed to the leather band, an insulated copper or other
suitable metal wire is wound in coils. round each of them, as shewn in the
Drawing, so as to make them all magnetic, when an electric current is sent
through the wire, of, which d and care the loose and uninsulated ends.
d! and e are strings or cords attached to the ends of the leather band, in order
to fasten it round the part of the body which is to be influenced by the electro
magnets. When the coil is wound in the same direction round all the rods,
the north polarity of all the rods will be in one direction, and the south
polarity of all in the opposite; but this arrangement may be modified and
varied by winding the coil round the rods in different directions, and thereby
magnetizing them differently. Each rod may also have its separate coil, or
two or more of them one coil in common; and the different coils may be
connected with electric apparatuses of different strengths or modes of operation,
and thus one rod or some of the rods may be magnetized more or less, or in
different directions than the others, according as it is desired that different
influences should be exercised at different points of the electro-magnetic
series.
Secondly, when portable magnets are worn close to the skin, it' often
happens that they sink as it were into the skin; so as to adhere pretty strongly
thereto; and this adhesion to, the body I consider to be strongly indicative of
and conducive to their salubrious effect; but, the corrosion of the magnets,
which generally takes place in such cases, especially on the side applied to

page_text: the skin, must no doubt interfere materially and injuriously with the magnetic
influence. To exclude, therefore, such interference, without diminishing mate-
rially the magnetic influence, or, in other words, to produce the full or nearly the
full magnetic influence on the human body by means of portable magnets free
from the counteracting or modifying effects of oxide of iron, I cover the magnets
with some non-corrosive and not easily permeable substance, making the
covering as thin as may be, in order that it may not materially alter the shape
or increase the size of the magnets, so as to interfere with their close application,
and employing only the densest of materials, in order that the magnets may
be protected all over as completely as may be from oxidation. I prefer for
the purpose to cover the portable magnets with a layer of gold, precipitated
by the galvanic process, or with gutta percha laid on in a fluid state or
in a sheet state and then made to adhere to the steel by heat. I find it
preferable that the steel should first be covered and afterwards magnetized.
Thirdly, I believe it to be generally known that when two plates or pieces
of metals which are galvanically different, such, for instance, as copper and
zinc, are applied for some length of time to the skin of, the human body at a
small distance, say, one quarter of an inch from each other, and metal-
Lically connected, a galvanic action or current will arise, in most cases owing
to the exhalation or moistness of the skin under and between the plates acting
as the moist element between the two different metals, and so producing a
perfect galvanic circuit. I believe it to be further generally known, that if
two plates of galvanically different metals, as, for instance, one plate of copper
and one plate of zinc, be applied to a limb or part of the human body, and
close to the skin, in such manner that the said limb or other part of the body.
is placed between them, and that if they are then metallically connected, a
galvanic action or current may arise, passing through that limb or part of the
body, if the epidermis, cuticle, or skin under the plates be very thin, and
moistened to a certain degree, either by natural moisture, such as perspiration,
saliva, &c., or by well-conducting solutions of salts or acids, or if the skin be
removed, or even slightly abraded only, if in short the skin be in a condition
or under circumstances to allow the current to pass through it, and the
plates be of a size and nature suited to the thickness or conducting resistance
of the limb or part of the body interposed between the plates. The object.
of my Invention is therefore, in the third place, to combine the galvanic effects
produced by portable galvanic apparatuses constructed on the principles or data
just enunciated, with those deriveable from portable magnets or electro
magnets. I effect this, firstly, by applying portable magnets or electro
magnets simultaneously with galvanic apparatuses of the description aforesaid,

page_text: there being no connecting body interposed between the magnets or electro
magnets and the galvanic apparatus, or only an insulating connection established
between them; or, secondly, by introducing portable magnets or electro
magnets into apparatuses intended and constructed to produce galvanic effects
on the body in the modes before stated, by uniting those magnets or electro
magnets metallically to the other parts of such galvanic apparatus, and in such
manner that the magnets or electro magnets become either conductors only, or
elements in the galvanic circuits; or, thirdly, I make a portable magnet or
electro magnet the bearer of the whole metallic part of a galvanic apparatus,
and this either (1) by uniting metallically to one part of a portable magnet or
electro magnet one or more pieces or sheathings of another galvanically
different metal, arranged in such a manner that when the apparatus is applied
to the body the steel or metal of the magnet or electro magnet and the piece
or pieces or sheathings of the other metal attached thereto shall touch the
skin at a small distance from each other, or on two opposite sides of a limb or
part of the body, thereby producing, with the moistness of the skin or the limb
or other part of the body, the galvanic effects required; or (2) by uniting
metallically with a portable magnet or electre magnet pieces or sheathings of
two or more galvanically different metals, in such manner that when applied
to the skin both or all the metals shall touch the same at small distances or
on different sides of a limb, and shall, with the moistness of the skin or the
body, produce the known galvanic effects. The galvanic effects in all these
combinations will be of course accompanied by the influence of the magnets
or electro magnets employed (the latter when excited). To exemplify the
manner in which a magnetic and a galvanic effect may be combined by means
of portable instruments, I annex Drawings of different apparatuses constructed
on this combined principle.
Figure 4 represents a galvanic and magnetic ring to be worn on the finger.
a is a ring of steel cut through at one place, so that when magnetized it shall
present a pole at each of the ends opposite to each other. To each side
of this steel ring, and throughout the whole circuit thereof, there are soldered
two rings of zinc (6 and c), so that when the instrument is put on the finger.
the parts in contact with the skin shall present to the same a line of steel with
a line of zinc on each side.
Figure 5 represents an apparatus seen from the side to be applied next to
the skin. a is a portable magnet, to which are soldered two pieces of zinc, b, b,
so as to double over and project beyond the ends of the magnet, so that they.
may touch the skin in the same plane with the steel. The side elevation,
Figure 6, shows how the pieces of zinc are fitted upon the steel..

page_text: Figure 7 represents a portable magnet a, to which are soldered two pieces
of zinc b, b, and two pieces of copper c, c, doubled over in the same manner as
shewn in Figure 6. If the magnet a is made in the form of a hoop, as
represented in Figure 8, and applied (for instance) to the wrist, with one
pole on the upper and one pole on the under side of the wrist, currents
through the wrist will occasionally ensue from one piece of zinc to the opposite
piece of copper, while there will be currents along the skin between the zinc
and copper plates lying on the same side, and occasionally even between the
steel and the copper, or the zinc close to it.
Figure 9 represents a portable steel magnet, to which are soldered in
alternate order pieces of zinc b, b, b, and pieces of copper c, c, c, so that when
applied to the skin they shall produce a number of currents between the
different metals.
Figure 10 represents a portable magnet a, to the outer circumference of
which there is soldered a ring 6 of zinc, which, in combination with the steel of
the magnet and moisture of the skin, will occasion electric currents.
Figure 11 represents a portable horse-shoe electro magnet a. The free ends'
of the legs, and c, are metallically coated, that is, the end 6 with copper, and
the end c with zinc, so that when applied to the skin they shall, in combination
with the moisture of the skin, give rise to currents from c to b.
Figure 12 represents a portable magnet coated with alternate squares
of copper c, c, c, c, and zinc 2, 2, 2, 2, which act when applied as before
described.
Figure 13 represents two portable magnets a and c, of a form to be applied
behind the ears, and connected metallically with each other by a flexible
metal string or strings f.f.f, soldered to both ends, and of such length as to
allow the magnets to be placed each behind one ear. a is coated with zinc,"
and c with copper or silver. To a is soldered a piece of copper b, and to ca
piece of zinc d. When the magnets are applied there will firstly arise
currents from a to b, and from d to c along the skin. These currents having
excited the functions of the skin, or the skin being moistened with a solution of
salt in water, or removed, currents may pass through the head from a and c.
Figure 14 represents an apparatus which is adapted to be wound round
part of the body, as the leg or thigh. a, a, are plates of zinc. b, b, plates of
silver. c, c, c, are wires which are spirally twisted in order to allow of some
flexure in all directions, and soldered to the plates a and b. d, d, d, are cords of
silk fastened to the wires, and from which are suspended horse-shoe magnets e, e, e.
Arranged in this manner, the apparatus exemplifies the simultaneous use which
may be made of a galvanic apparatus and magnets, without the latter consti-

page_text: tuting an active element in the galvanic action. But if the plates 0, 0, instead
of being made of silver, consisted of magnetized steel, or if the horse-shoe
magnets e, e, e, instead of being suspended by silk cords were soldered to the
wires c, c, c, we should then have a portable galvanic apparatus; in the galvanic
currents of which magnets would form acting parts.
Figure 15 represents a bandage to which is attached a series of portable electro
magnets, arranged as shewn in Figure 3, but the ends z, z, z, of the iron rods,
have previously to the application of the coil been coated with zinc, and the ends
c, c, c, with copper, and all the rods have been connected metallically by means of
the flexible string or wire f, f. f. When the apparatus is applied, and the ends
of the rods are in close juxta-position to the skin, galvanic currents will occa-
sionally arise between the different metals presented to the body, in addition
to the magnetic effect when the electro-magnets are excited. Where I effect
the metallic connection between steel and other metals by soldering, I raise the
steel, after it has received its intended shape, to a white heat, and then apply.
brass at the places where the soldering afterwards takes place. The brass nielts,
and unites with the steel. After that the temperature is lowered to about red
heat, when the steel is plunged into a cooling bath, to harden it, as usual.
The soldering may then be effected between the brass on the steel and the
other suitable metal by means of any of the known soft solders, which do not
require such a degree of heat as to impare materially the hardness of the steel.
I effect the magnetization, after the soldering has taken place, in the manner
usually followed, to avoid impairing the magnetism of the steel by the heat.
The galvanic effects of such apparatuses as have been described under this
head of my Specification may generally be encreased by covering the same on
the side which is not applied to the body with gutta percba, caoutchouc, or
some other like impermeable and flexible material, by which the perspiration
or moisture will be kept together, and condensed to a certain degree on the
parts of the body to which the apparatuses are applied, causing thereby a greater
frequency of galvanic action. For I wish it to be distinctly understood that
where I have herein-before mentioned a galvanic action or current as ensuing
upon the application of any of the instruments described, I do not mean to
convey the impression that the same ensues instantly on the application, or of
necessity under all circumstances, or that when once begun it continues
uninterruptedly, for in this respect much depends on the general state of the
skin and body, of the person who wears the instrument; and on the part of the
body where it is applied. In some cases, too, it may be found necessary,
to employ artificial moisture, or even to remove the skin, especially when it is
desired that currents should pass through the part of the body to which the

page_text: application is made. Neither do I mean to lay it down as a principle that a
metal plate can act as an element in two different galvanic currents at the
same time; my object being merely to provide for the contingency of the
movements of the body tending to interrupt existing and to form new combi-
nations and currents. The portable galvanic apparatuses to which this head
of my Specification has special reference are such as by presenting two
different metals metallically connected with each other to the body shall
produce galvanic currents only as often as the condition of the skin and body
under or between the two metals (whether such condition be naturally or
artificially produced) will allow of it, according to galvanic principles. In
place of the metals which are usually employed in galvanic combinations,
some mineral substances which possess galvanic properties may be used, such
as prepared coke and graphite; but as these are not adapted to soldering, they
must, when employed, be surrounded tightly by metallic rings, or connected in
some other suitable manner to the other parts of the apparatuses, in order to
admit of the current. Where I have under this head of my Invention used
the words " magnets or magnetic apparatuses, I desire to be understood as
meaning thereby more particularly artificial constant magnets, which are
ordinarily made of steel, as being the metal best adapted to receive and
retain magnetism. Natural magnets (magnetic ore) may, however, be en-
ployed for like purposes, when provided with suitable metallic armatures,
which armatures would then have to be employed for the purposes assigned
under this head to magnets.
"
Fourthly, the object of my Invention is to produce constant or long
continued effects on the human or other animal body, by means of portable
galvanic apparatuses, in which the body or its exhalations are not employed
as the moist element in the galvanic circuit, but which apparatuses are com-
plete in themselves, only constructed so as to be conveniently attached to or
worn upon the body.
Figure 16 represents a sectional elevation of a portable galvanic apparatus
of this description. a is a round vessel of porcelain, with a hole at the bottom
at x. b, the lid has likewise a hole in the bottom at y. c is a thin plate of
platinum, connected with a copper plug a", which is fitted and cemented into
the hole x. The plate of platinum is surrounded with bichromate of potassa,
e, e, e, moistened with a little water, but prevented from touching the copper
plug by the cement. Over the bichromate of potassa plaster of Paris in a
semifluid state is poured in thin layers successively so as to form a diaphragm,
e², e², in the battery, and somewhat deeper at the sides, in order the better to
secure adherence to the sides of the vessel. As plaster of Paris expands in

page_text: setting, it is advisable that each layer should have set before the next is
applied. The rest of the vessel is filled up with thread or fibres of asbestos,
9, 9, moistened with dilute sulphuric acid (ten water to one acid), so that when
the lid is afterwards put on the different layers of materials contained in the
vessel are kept well together. Into the hole of the lid is fitted and cemented
a copper plug y, having hooks on the inside, as shown in the Drawing.
Under and between these hooks, and on the whole inner face of the bottom of
the lid, amalgams of zinc, i, i, in a plastic state, are disposed in a suitable
thickness, so that when the lid is put on the amalgams shall closely rest upon
the asbestos in the case. The two copper plugs, a and y, forming the poles
of the battery, are provided either with screws or screw boxes, to be conve-
niently connected with the conductors. During use the vessel is prevented from
opening by bands of gutta percha wound round it in a plastic state, so that
when cooled they adhere to the vessel and lid, and thereby prevent them from
separating. The apparatus may be worn in a small bag or otherwise, leading
the insulated conductors to the place where the current is intended to act. If
a greater intensity or a greater quantity of galvanism is required than can be
obtained by a single apparatus, I connect two or more similar apparatuses with
each other, by screwing the plugs of the different apparatuses together. Thus,
for intensity, the lid plug of one is connected with the vessel plug of the next,
the conductors being then connected with the free end plugs of the last appa-
ratuses on each side of the series; and for quantity, all the lid plugs for one
conductor, and all the vessel plugs for the other conductor, are connected,
according to rules well known, and only within the limits of their portability.
Figure 17 is a sectional elevation of four apparatuses connected for quan-
tity, and Figure 18 of four apparatuses connected for intensity. The plugs
which are connected together are made respectively as screws and screw
boxes, so that when screwed tightly together they shall press the surface of
the plugs, projecting slightly from the porcelain against each other. When
conducting metal bands are used, as in Figure 17, they are provided with
holes for the screws, and introduced between the plugs, thereby connecting the
plugs and the bands metallically. In Figure 18 the conductors are screwed
to the end plugs, as represented in the Drawings in Figure 17. They are
soldered or in any other convenient manner connected with the vessel plugs
and with the band connecting the lid plugs. Combined apparatuses, as
represented in these Figures, are most conveniently worn in a wooden case,
into which they should be made to fit exactly, and from which the conductors
may lead to where the current or currents are desired to act. These appa-
ratuses will keep up their action for some length of time, according to the

page_text: quantity of the bichromate of potassa used, and the power of the current; but
it is necessary. that new dilute acid should occasionally be added to the upper
cells, and also that the amalgams of zinc should be cleansed or renovated
when oxidized. I make no claim, however, to this combination of materials
as new; and any combination which will keep up constant actions in such
batteries without any material discharge of gases will answer the purpose.
As conductors for such apparatuses I employ metal wire twisted together so
as to allow of some flexure, and insulated in the manner well known; and
I unite with the ends to be connected with the battery the screws or other
means necessary for that purpose. But those ends which are to be applied
to the body (when the current has to pass through or traverse the same) I
unite to knobs or pieces of metal or armatures, to which I fasten at the side
to be applied to the body pieces of sponge or some other capillary substance;
moistened with some good conducting solution, such as a solution of salt or
sal ammoniac in water, which will greatly contribute to overcome the con-
ducting resistance of the skin, as is well known; but any other suitable fabric
may be used as a conductor, such as wire wound spirally. A conducting
solution, or capillary materials moistened therewith, may be applied also directly
to the body, and after that the armature or knobs which may be fastened by
bandages or otherwise kept in their place on the body. The conductors when
insulated may be made of such a length as only to lead the current the
shortest way to the body, or they may be wound in portable coils to increase
the intensity of the current. Portable galvanic apparatuses such as exemplified
in the Drawings last herein-before described, may be employed. either for
passing the electric fluid through the body, in which case the conductors are
applied at two different parts of the body without any immediate connection
between them, and connected with the apparatus fastened to or suspended
from the body, the circuit being closed by the body, the current passing
through the same; or, secondly, the body may be subjected to the influence of
currents passing along but not entering the same, as more amply described
under the fifth head of this Specification, in which case the insulated con-
ductors themselves may be wound into the desired shape, and applied, their
ends being connected together and with the battery, or they may be connected
with a portable conducting apparatus such as described under the next
following head, the currents of the battery thereby affecting the body as
intended; or, thirdly, such batteries may be used for magnetizing portable
electro magnets, as described under the fifth head of this Specification. Such
batteries, when used for the human body, may likewise be introduced into
portable galvanic or magnetic apparatuses, or combined galvanic and mag-

page_text: netic apparatuses, both of the description treated of under the third head, that
is to say, by making such galvanic or magnetic or galvanic and magnetic appa-
ratuses, or part thereof, conductors of the currents generated, or combining
the current produced by them with the current generated in such portable
batteries in the manner exemplified in the Drawing, Figures 19 and 20.
Figure 19 is a specimen of a magnetic apparatus acting as conductors of the
battery g. A series of magnets a', a, a, a², are fastened to a bandage, and
connected by wires, except between the second and third, where the wires are
connected with the poles of the battery g. When the apparatus is applied so
that the pieces of sponge e, e, moistened with salt water, and fastened to
the end magnets, lay close to the skin at different places, the current of the
battery g will pass through the wires and magnets, and between the end
magnets a¹ and a, through the body, combining a galvanic effect with the
influence of the magnets on the body. If the legs of the magnets were
covered or connected with alternate copper and zinc plates, Figure 19.would
represent a specimen of a galvanic and magnetic apparatus as described under
the third head, combined with a portable battery.
Figure 20 represents a galvanic apparatus a, in which, when applied, the
current of the portable battery combines with the galvanic current, as described
under the third head. z is a zinc plate; r, a copper plate. zis connected by
the wire at 6 to the platinum pole, and c at d with the zinc pole of the
battery when the apparatus is applied, so that the body constitutes the moist
element between 2 and c. A double battery galvanic current traversing the
body is effected. When the conductors are immediately connected with such
portable batteries as described, a constant galvanic current in one direction
is sent through the conductors, and by them through or near the body; but
for the purpose of modifying, increasing, or varying the effect, the conductors
may be connected with the battery or batteries in such manner that the
current shall be broken and renewed successively, with or without an addi-
tional magneto-electric current, or that the galvanic fluid shall traverse the
conductors alternately in two directions, with or without a lengthened inter-
ruption between the different currents, and with or without an additional
magneto-electric current.
Figure 21 represents a portable apparatus in which the current may be
broken and renewed alternately. p, p, is a wooden box enclosing the appa-
ratus, with handles at the sides by which it may be carried in the hand
or otherwise fastened to the body. a, a, are four batteries connected together
so as to supply the quantity of two and the intensity of two. The insulated
conductor from the platinum poles connected with. the battery at a fornis

page_text: the the coil b, which is wound over a wooden tube, and is connected at the
other end of the coil with a spring c (which slides on the cylinder d), but is at
the same time prolonged in f to lead currents to the body. The other con-
ductor is united to the zinc pole of the batteries at g', and to a spring e,
sliding on the cylinder, as shewn in the Drawing. On d slides also a third
spring g, which is fastened to the side of the box, and connected with the wire
or string h,. which forms the second conductor from the body. k is a spring
case, with its axis going through the side of the box, to be wound up from the
outside. The spring turns the wheel m, the circumference of which is pro-
vided with teeth, which, when the wheel revolves, takes into the teeth of the
wheel n fixed on an axis o, o, supported in the sides of the box, and cause the
same also to revolve. On the axis o, o, is fitted a cylinder d of copper or other
metal, but into which, in the line touched by the spring c, when the cylinder
revolves, pieces of wood or other suitable insulating substance, i, i, i, are
inserted at intervals, so that the spring c, when the cylinder revolves, shall
alternately touch only the copper or only the insulating substance. When c
touches the copper of the cylinder, the current will go through the cylinder to
the spring e, and by this back to the battery, and no part, or at least no
material part, of the current will pass the conductors f and h; but when c
touches only the insulating substance on the cylinder, the current, being broken
in c, will pass through f to or near the body, and back again through h, g
cylinder, the spring e, to the battery. When a rod of iron or bundles of iron
wire are inserted into the coil through the hole t, left open in the wooden box
for that purpose, there will be, besides the galvanic current, a magneto-electric
current traversing the conductors f and has often as the current is broken
at c, this magneto-electric current originating from vanishing magnetism in
the iron or iron wires, through the interruption of the stronger (because more
perfectly closed) circuit by which the iron or iron wires were magnetized.
The wooden case is most conveniently made to open at one side, as repre-
sented in the Drawings, to allow of the batteries being taken out and renovated
when exhausted, for which purpose the connection at e and x is made by
means of screws. w², w, is a partition of wood supporting one end of the
coil (the other end being supported in the side of the box), and into which the
springs c and e are fastened. The springs must be made so as to press with
some force on the cylinder d, to perfect the metallic contact.
the
For the purpose of varying the direction of the current sent through the con-
ductors fand h, I construct the cylinders and arrange the springs and conductors,
as shewn in Figure 22, in which, instead of one cylinder, two (A and B) are fitted
on the axis o, o, being separated from each other and from the axis (if this be

page_text: made of conducting materials) by gutta percha or some other suitable insulating
substance. The cylinders are of wood, but each partially covered with a
sheet of copper; that is to say, the cylinder A has a strip of copper all round at
that part of its circumference which comes in contact with the spring v, but
is covered only half way round at the parts where the springs x and y touch;
and in like manner the cylinder B has a strip of copper all round at that part of
its circumference touched by the spring d, but is covered only half way round
on the line touched by the springs a¹ and y'. The copper parts on A and B are
respectively arranged so that the wood of each cylinder is placed exactly
opposite the copper of the other, as will be more clearly seen from the hori-
zontal plan of the two cylinders in their relative position, given separately in
Figure 23, in which the ribbed or ridged parts represent the copper, and the
plain parts the wood. In Figure 22 the copper and wood are respectively
designated by the letters c and w. The springs x, x¹, y, y', v, and d, all slide
on the cylinders, as shewn in the Drawing, and with sufficient pressure to
perfect a metallic contact when required. The touching points of x
and x, as also the touching points of y and y', lay exactly in a straight
line parallel with the axis of the cylinder. The touching points of x
and y are exactly opposite to each other, and so are those of x¹ and y¹.
The two springs x and x² are fastened into the partition w³, w², and connected
with the positive (platinum) conductor from the coil, and the two springs y
and y', fastened into the side of the box are connected with the negative
or zinc conductor. When the cylinder A presents copper to the spring x
and wood to y, the cylinder B will present wood to x² and copper to y', the
current going accordingly from a through A, v, f, to the body or near the
body h, d, B, y', back to the battery. But when A in revolving presents
copper to y and wood to x, B will at the same time present wood to y' and
copper to a¹, the current then going from a¹ through B, d, h, the body f, v, A, y,
and back to the battery. When it is desired to interpose an interruption
between the two different currents, I effect this by making copper surround
less than half of the circumference of one or both cylinders, by which
arrangement both the springs x and x³, and y and y', for a moment will be
precluded from any contact with the copper of the two cylinders, and conse-
quently no current pass through the conductors f. and h. But when the
copper of one or both cylinders is made to surround more than the half of
their circumference, say, for instance, two thirds, the galvanic circuit will for
a moment be closed by that cylinder or cylinders, without affecting the con-
ductors fand h in any material degree; and when this current is used for

page_text: magnetizing an iron rod or iron wires inserted into the coil, as before
mentioned, there will be a magneto-electric current traversing the con-
ductors f and h, besides the galvanic current, when the closing of the
circuit by the cylinder or cylinders is interrupted, which magneto-electric
current originates from the magnetism of the iron rod or iron wires vanishing,
wholly or in part, by that interruption. In the apparatuses herein-before
described it is of course to be understood that every part should be constructed
in proportion to the others, as, for instance, the size of the batteries and the
quantity and conducting power of the materials should be proportioned to the
dimensions of the coil and the resistance of conduction to be overcome, the
length of time of the application, and the nature of the effects desired to be
obtained; but all these relations being well known by persons conversant
with galvanism and its application, I will only here state, for the sake of
exemplification, that when it is desired to produce constant currents in one
direction through the body, with good conducting solutions at the ends of the
conductors, I employ a single battery, contained in a round porcelain vessel of
abont three inches diameter and one inch in height, with two or three ounces
of bichromate of potassa and sulphuric acid, diluted by ten parts of water to
one part of acid. The amalgams of zine covering the inner surface of the lid
and the diaphragms of plaster of Paris are each of one eighth of an inch
thickness. This battery I find to maintain its action for several days, or even
longer, the asbestos with the dilute acid being renovated, and the amalgams
cleansed occasionally. When the lower orders of animals are to be subjected
to the currents from such portable apparatuses as described under this head of
my Specification, care must be taken, firstly, to fasten the instruments in
such a manner and to put the animal under such circumstances that the
apparatus may not be broken or its effects interrupted. And, secondly, at
the places where the currents are intended to enter or leave the body, to
remove every insulating substance, such as hairs, feathers, &c., and even
the skin, if it be of an insulating nature, and not adapted to be made a con-
ductor by moistening it with solutions, as before described.
Fifthly, the object of my Invention is to subject the human and other
animal bodies to the magnetic effects accompanying conductors of electric
currents, by means of portable conducting apparatuses, which, when con-
nected with a suitable source of electricity, shall convey a current or currents
round or along the body to which they are applied. When it is desired to
surround a part of the body by an electric current, I wind a copper wire
of suitable strength to withstand some pressure from without into a spiral of

page_text: such diameter that it may be easily pushed up or drawn over the body to the
part which it is intended to surround, and of the length intended for the
apparatus. I then enclose this copper spiral in a tube of leather or other suit-
able material. To the outside of the leather six or eight bands are sewed at
equal distances from each other, parallel with the axis of the. tube, and with
loose ends, to serve as fastenings for the coil and the apparatus. I then wind.
insulated copper wire or ribband of a thickness proportioned to the current.
intended to be sent through it in windings over or round the tube, parallel,
or nearly so, to each other, and at right angles to the axis of the tube, so that
they form a magnetizing coil for the tube or its contents, in the mode followed:
for magnetizing iron rods, the wire being of a length and number of con-
volutions proportioned to the magnetic effect intended to be produced. The
ends of the coil are left loose. and uninsulated (the extreme end being twisted
several times with the last winding, in order to prevent the coil from loosening,)
to be connected with the poles or conductors of the electric apparatus. The
ends of three or four of the bands are bound together over the coil, to keep
the convolutions in their place, or at least to prevent them from separating
beyond the length of the tube, after which the apparatus is ready for use.
When the tube is pushed up or down the body to the part which is intended to
be magnetized (this part forming, as it were, a core to the tube), and fastened
to the body by means of the bands not used for the coil, and an electric current.
is sent through the coil, that part of the body will be affected magnetically by
such currents, and the patient will be able to move about within the limits. of
the connection with the source of electricity. The tube, and accordingly the
whole apparatus, may be made straight, or curved, according to the part of the
body to which it is to be applied, as far as the mass of the coil and whole.
apparatus will permit. Instead of copper, any other suitable metal may
be used for the inner spiral and the coil;. but I consider iron not to be so well
adapted, particularly for the inner spiral, owing to its relations with mag-
netism. The effects may be increased or modified by sewing or otherwise
fastening to the inner side of the tube, parallel with its axis, iron rods or iron
wire, which, when a current or currents of sufficient power are sent through
the coil, will be magnetised, thereby affecting the body. When the tube
surrounds the human body closely, so that such iron rods or wires lay close to
the skin, a galvanic effect may be combined with the magnetic effect, in the
manner described under the third head of this Specification, by connecting
the iron rods or wires metallically, by means of copper wire, and sheathing
hem or otherwise connecting them or some of them with one or more
lifferent metals, these metals, and the iron or the different metals con

page_text: nected therewith, when all lying close to the skin, giving rise to galvanic.
currents, as more amply described under the third bead of this Specification..
When I wish to subject the human or other animal body to the magnetic
influence of passing electric currents, not surrounding but passing along the
same in straight or waving lines or planes, by means of portable conducting
apparatuses, I sew or fasten to a piece or pieces of leather or other like
fabric suitable metal wire or band bent into such lines as may be conducive
to the intended effect. The wires or bands are most conveniently insulated
by caoutchouc or other like impermeable material to preclude the extralation,
and the piece or pieces of leather are provided with bands to be fastened to
the body. The ends of the wires are left loose, in order that they may
be connected with the electric source. Figures 24 and 25 represent speci-
mens of such portable conducting apparatuses. When the wires or bands.
have strength sufficient to remain in their positions, and be fastened themselves
to the body by bands, the leather lining may of course be dispensed with.
The same remark applies to leather tubes, when used for coils for surrounding.
parts of the body.
Figure 26 represents a coil of strong insulated wire wound upon a core,
and held together, when the core is removed, by strips of gutta percha a, a,
laid on in a plastic state, so that when cooled they adhere closely to the
coil. b, b, b, are bands by which the coil may be fastened to the body. The
coil is applied so that the tube formed by it stands vertically on the body, or
at right angles to it; and the effect may be encreased or modified by a core of
iron being inserted into the tube or opening of the coil; but the height of
the coil in the direction of its axis should not exceed one inch to be worn
without inconvenience. The apparatuses last herein-before described I employ
for producing magnetic effects on certain parts of the human or other animal
body, where it is not deemed advisable to magnetize the whole bulk of that
part. They are fastened by means of bands or otherwise to the body, and lay
close to the same, and the free ends of the wire are connected with the
conductors or poles of an electric apparatus, when the electric current, passing
through the wire or metal band of the portable conducting apparatus, will
exercise a magnetic effect on the body according to the power, direction, and
constancy of the current, and the figure described by the wire.
Sixthly, the object of my Invention is to subject two different parts or
places of the human or animal body at any distance from each other to the
influence of one or principally one polarity only of magnetism, to the exclusion
or nearly the exclusion of the other polarity. Either the same polarity may
be applied to both parts or places, or a different polarity to each.. I effect this

page_text: by means of portable chains or series of alternate, steel magnets and rods of
soft iron, connected so that the rods of iron engross or nearly engross the
magnetism throughout all the magnets, with the exception of the last two
poles ending the series on both sides.
Figure 27 represents a side view of such a series of alternate magnets
a, a, a, a, and iron rods b, b, b, the two free pole ends being of different
magnetic polarities. The ends of the magnets are fitted into incisions in the
rods, not loosely, but still so freely as to allow of the magnets or rods being
moved or turned to a certain extent sidewards round the rivets or screws
c, c, c, c, which go through holes in the rods and magnets, and thereby fasten
them together. I arrange the magnets in this instrument so that the two
poles bound by the same rod are of different polarities, so as to act in accord-
ance on the magnetism of the iron. At the end of the free poles bands
are drawn through small holes in the magnets, to fasten the apparatus to the
body. It will be obvious that the magnetism of the poles being let into the
iron rods is altogether, or nearly so, engrossed by the soft iron, thereby
exercising much less power of magnetism on external objects than the free
poles, and that when the apparatus is applied (for instance) with one free
pole on one side and the other free pole on the other side of the neck or
breast, the parts of the body between the free pole ends are exempt, or nearly
so, from magnetic influences, and that each of the spots where the end poles
are applied will be subjected to one, or principally one, polarity only. The
apparatus may of course be made of any length proportioned to the distance
between the parts of the body to be influenced by the free pole ends by mul-
tiplying the number of links or encreasing their length. The length of the
iron rods I make about one half or two thirds of the length of the magnets.
When the free end poles are required to be of the same polarity, I make one
iron rod of double length and larger in the middle, and place into both ends
of it magnet poles of the same polarity, as shewn by the rod r in Figure 24.
In place of the magnets inserted into iron rods, with their poles in the
apparatuses represented, pieces of soft iron may be added, using steel magnets
only for the end pieces; or instead of iron rods in the middle of the series
magnets may be employed, each placed with its negative pole opposite to the
positive pole of the next adjoining magnet, and vice versa; but I find the
alternate magnets and iron rods preferable.
Seventhly, the object of my Invention is to produce a magnetic effect of
one or principally one polarity only on certain parts of the body by means of
portable transversal magnets or other magnetic apparatuses constructed so as
when applied to present only one polarity to the body, the other pole being on
he side turned from the boily. I employ for this purpose bars or pieces

page_text: of steel magnetised transversely, or helixes of steel wire magnetised trans-
versely, so that one line of the circumference of the helix parallel with its axis
shall present one polarity, and the opposite side of the circumference a line of
the other polarity. Or I employ portable magnets magnetised longitudinally,
but applied perpendicularly, or at right angles to the body, with one pole
turned towards and the other poles turned from the same, fastened in suitable
bandages to keep them in their positions.
Figure 30 is a side view of a bar of steel magnetized transversely, and
fastened to an arm by the bands a, a, the letters N and S indicating the north
and south polarities.
Figure 31 represents a circular helix of steel wire to be worn round an
arm or a leg, the letters N and S indicating the direction in which it is
magnetized.
Figure 32 represents a series of small magnets a, a, a, magnetised in the
direction shewn by the letters N and S. b, b, b, is a bandage of leather into
which the magnets are inserted and fastened, and c, c, is wool or cotton sewn
to the leather bandage, and filling up the intervals between the magnets on
the one side to be applied to the body, in order to prevent the ends of the
magnet from rubbing or fretting the skin.
Eighthly, the object of my Invention is to employ the galvanic currents
excited between two pieces of different metals metallically connected, by means
of the natural moistness of the skin or artificial moistness applied to it, or by
means of the body to which the pieces of metal are applied, all as described
under the third head of this Specification, for exercising the magnetic influence
accompanying a galvanic conductor (as described under the fifth head) on the
body to which the apparatus is applied. For this purpose I lead the wire or
other piece of metal connecting such metals, or effect their metallic con-
nection, not in the direct or shortest way, but make the conductor uniting them
pass the body in a direction and length adapted to the effect intended to
be produced; or I connect the conductors with portable conducting apparatuses
of the kind described under the fifth head of this Specification, taking care
that the resistance of the metallic connection is inferior to the intensity
of the current or currents which are to be conducted. It is of course essen-
tial that the two metals be arranged or applied so that their only metallic
connection shall be through the conductor, and I therefore separate or keep
them from each other by insulating substances, such as gutta percha, when they
are to be applied to the body in such manner that the movements of the same
may influence their relative positions, and thereby produce a direct contact.
Figure 33 is a side or upper view of an apparatus to be applied round
the thick part of an arm. a is a piece of zinc. b, a piece of copper which,

page_text: when the apparatus is applied, shall lay on each side of the arm with pieces of
linen or sponge i, i, saturated with salt water between them and the skin.
c, c, c, is the coil formed by an insulated wire connecting the two metals, as
shewn in the Drawing, and surrounding the plates and the arm.
It being
essential that the conductor should as far as possible be one uninterrupted
metallic body, to allow the currents to pass easily, I solder the conducting wire
to both plates, supposing always the part of the body to which the encircling
apparatus is to be applied is of the same or greater thickness than any part of
the body over which the wire. must be passed up or down, in order to be fitted
to the part where it shall act. When such is not the case, as, for example,
when the apparatus is intended for the neck, the plates must be applied first
with one end of the wire soldered to one of the plates, and the coil wound
round the neck, after which the other end of the wire must be fastened by a
screw or otherwise to the second plate.
Figure 34 represents a front view of an apparatus consisting of one plate of
zinc z, and one plate of copper c, sewed or fastened to a strong piece of gutta
percha a, a, a, a, with a small interval between, them b. b. The conducting
wire i, i, is soldered one end to the zinc and the other to the copper, before the
plates are fastened on to the gutta percha, and the wire forms a coil or other
figure f, or it is divided and metallically connected with portable conducting
apparatuses, as described under the fifth head of this Specification, all of
which are to be applied where a magnetic effect is required to be produced,
proceeding from the galvanic currents that may ensue when the metal plates
of the apparatus represented in Fig. 34 are both applied to moist skin. An
apparatus such as shewn in Fig. 34 may also be made to connect the ends of
a series of plates, as represented in Figure 14, by the end wires at c¹ & c²,
being soldered one to the eopper c, and the other to the zinc z of the apparatus,
thereby adding the effects of .currents traversing the whole circuit of the
series to the other more local galvanic and magnetic effect of such
apparatus.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I do not restrict myself to
the use of any of the instruments or apparatuses or arrangements figured in
the annexed Drawings, and herein-before described, the same being intended
merely as exemplifications of the different modes or methods devised by me
of applying galvanism and magnetism to curative and sanatory purposes,
and these modes or methods admitting of an endless variety of forms and
modifications; but that the improvements which I claim as constituting my
said Invention are as follows:-

page_text: First, I claim the employment for curative and sanatory purposes of portable
electro magnets constructed and operated with in the
exemplified and described.
manner before
Second, I claim the method of employing for the said purposes the influence
of portable magnets, protected from oxidation by a thin coating of gold or
gutta percha, or other like incorrodible and not easily permeable substance, as
before described.
Third, I claim the combination of portable magnets or electro magnets, and
portable galvanic apparatuses, for the purposes aforesaid, as before exemplified
and described.
Fourth, I claim the modes or methods of producing long continued gal-
vanic or magnetic effects on animal bodies by means of portable galvanic
apparatuses attached to such bodies (but independent thereof for the moist
element), as before exemplified and described.
Fifth, I claim the modes or methods of producing magnetic effects on
animal bodies, or parts thereof, by transmitting electric currents along or
around the surfaces thereof, by portable conducting apparatuses, as before
exemplified and described.
Sixth, I claim the application of portable magnetic apparatuses to animal
bodies in such manner that one or principally one polarity only of magnetism
shall act on each of two different parts of the said bodies, and so also that either
one and the same polarity shall effect both parts or a positive polarity affect
one part and a negative polarity the other, wholly irrespective of the distance
between those parts and of their relative positions, all as before described,
Seventh, 1 claim the method of producing a long continued effect of one
or principally one polarity only on certain parts of animal bodies, by means
of portable transversal magnets, or by portable magnets applied perpen-
dicularly or at right angles, as before described. And,
Eighth, I claim the application of the galvanic currents (generated by such
portable galvanic apparatuses as are described under the third head of the
Specification) to exert a magnetic influence on animal bodies as explained
under the fifth bead), by the modes or methods described under the eighth or
last of this Specification.
.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Ludovic Augustus Meinig, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of May, in the
voor of our Land One thousand eight hundred and fifty
CHARLES LUDOVIC AUGUSTUS (L.S.) MEINIG.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Seventeenth day of May, in
the year of our Lord 1850, the aforesaid Charles Ludovic Augustus Meinig
came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged
the Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and
specified, in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was
stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Seventeenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thou-
sand eight hundred and fifty.