IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE APPLICATION OF MAGNETO-ELECTRICITY, OR MAGNETISM, OR NATURAL ELECTRICITY TO SWIMMING AND OTHER BATHS FOR CURATIVE AND ANAES- THETIC PURPOSES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Geminiano Zanni, of Highbury, in the County of Middle-
sex, Medical Electrician, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO
THE APPLICATION OF MAGNETO-ELECTRICITY, OR MAGNETISM, OR NATURAL
ELECTRICITY TO SWIMMING AND OTHER BATHS FOR CURATIVE AND ANAES-
THETIC PURPOSES."
Sealed the 27th April 1877, and dated the 1st November 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Geminiano Zanni at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st November 1876.
GEMINIANO ZANNI, of Highbury, in the County of Middlesex, Medical Electrician.
"IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE APPLICATION OF MAGNETO-ELECTRICITY, OR
MAGNETISM, OR NATURAL ELECTRICITY TO SWIMMING AND OTHER BATHS FOR
CURATIVE AND ANAESTHETIC PURPOSES."
My said Invention is designed to provide an efficient curative and anaesthetic
agent which may be administered without any costly or complicated appliances, and
which will act agreeably and without any shock to the system of the patients.
The said Invention is carried into practice by the employment of magneto-
electricity in combination with baths of any kind. These baths differ from those
known as galvanic or voltaic baths in having no galvanic or voltaic battery, and
using only natural electricity, and in having the poles arranged to pass the magneto-
electric current through the earth and bydrostatic resistance, thereby distributing
the magneto-electricity uniformly through all parts of the patient's body.
When my Invention is applied to an ordinary domestic or similar bath, the bath
should be constructed of porous porcelain provided with suitable connections for the
conducting wires, one of which is extended to a magneto-electric apparatus, and the
other to the earth.
The apparatus I prefer to use is that described in the Specification of former
Letters Patent granted to me, and bearing date the 29th day of October, A.D. 1858,
No. 2419. This apparatus is kept in action by a spring or weight while the
magneto-electric bath is being administered; it is arranged in combination-with a
graduated hydrostatic electrometer, and produces a constant magneto-electric current,
which is regulated according to the nature of the disease or the result sought to be
obtained.

page_text: When the patient enters the bath the said apparatus is set in motion and sends a
magneto-electric current to earth, which current passes through the patient's body,
and exerts its curative or anaesthetic effect without producing any shock or other
disagreeable sensation.
In applying my Invention to a shower bath the magneto-electric current is con-
ducted from the earth to the patient's body by the running streams of water.
For supplying the magneto-electric current to a swimming bath the aforesaid
apparatus is kept in motion by steam or other similar motive power.
This Invention will be a very valuable hygienic agent, being not only a safe cure
for many diseases, but also a preventive of disease; its curative effect is prompt in
mild cases, and progressive with more serious illness; it subdues pain, regulates the
circulation of the blood, and generally improves the tone of the system, and
strengthens the constitution in youths of delicate health.
.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Geminiano Zanni in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st May
1877.
GEMINIANO ZANNI, of Highbury, in the County of Middlesex, Medical Electrician.
"IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE APPLICATION OF MAGNETO-ELECTRICITY, OR
MAGNETISM, OR NATURAL ELECTRICITY TO SWIMMING AND OTHER BATHS FOR
CURATIVE AND ANESTHETIC PURPOSES."
My said Invention is designed to provide an efficient curative and anæsthetic
agent which may be administered without any costly or complicated appliances, and
which will act agreeably and without any shock to the system of the most delicate
patient.
The said Invention is carried into practice by subjecting the patient to the action
or influence of magneto-electricity while in a bath. The baths administered
according to my Invention differ from those known as galvanic or voltaic baths in
having no galvanic or voltaic battery, and using only natural electricity, and in
having the poles arranged to pass the magneto electric current through hydrostatic
or other resistance, thereby distributing the magneto-electricity uniformly through
all parts of the patient's body.
When my Invention is applied to an ordinary domestic or similar bath, the bath
should be constructed of porous porcelain or any other suitable material, provided
with suitable connections for the conducting wires, one of which is extended to a
magneto-electric apparatus, and the other to the earth.
The apparatus I prefer to use are those described in the Specifications of former
Letters Patent granted to me, and bearing date the 29th day of October, A.D. 1858,
No. 2419, and the 11th day of July 1876, No. 2821, the former relating to an appa-
ratus for producing an intermittent current, and the latter relating to an apparatus
for producing a constant current. This apparatus is kept in action by a spring or
weight while the magneto-electric bath is being administered; it is arranged in
combination with a graduated hydrostatic electrometer or soft iron keeper to the
permanent magnet or any other resistance apparatus, which regulates the magneto-
electric current according to the nature of the disease or the result sought to be
obtained.
The Drawing illustrates in perspective elevation the arrangement and combination
of an ordinary domestic bath and the said magneto-electro apparatus.
a is the bath; b is the said apparatus; c is the earth plate. It will be obvious
that these parts may occupy any convenient position relatively to each other, and
may have the connecting wires arranged as described.
When the patient enters the bath a the said apparatus b is set in motion, and
sends a magneto-electric current to earth, which current passes through the patient's

page_text: body, and exerts its curative or anæsthetic effect without producing any shock or
other disagreeable sensation.
In applying my Invention to a shower bath the magneto-electric current is con-
ducted from the earth to the patient's body by the running streams of water.
For supplying the magneto-electric current to a swimming bath the aforesaid
apparatus is kept in motion by steam or other similar motive power.
This Invention will be a very valuable hygienic agent, being not only a safe cure
for inany diseases, but also a preventative of disease; its curative effect is prompt in
mild cases, and progressive with more serious illness; it subdues pain, regulates the
circulation of the blood, and generally improves the tone of the system.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and shewn how the same may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practise, I claim, the application or
employment of magneto-electricity, or magnetism, or natural electricity for curative
or anaesthetic purposes by means of suitable apparatus arranged in connection with
a bath, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Geminiano Zanni, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this First day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-seven.
GEMINIANO ZANNI. (L.S.)