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Victorian Boyd's Battery Quack Medical Device

Regular price $298.00
Unit price
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Do you suffer from bromodosis, halitosis, delirium or other various types of maladies?

If so, we can help! With Boyd's newfangled miniature galvanic battery of 1878, all it takes is the humidity of your skin to produce a gentle electrical charge guaranteed* to cure what ails you!

"By electrifying the blood, it stimulates the entire system, so that it enables nature to throw off nearly all diseases, and causes the blood to become youthful and vigorous in its action,”

The blood is the life! The efficacy of electricity! Nearly all diseases effectually cured by Boyd's miniature galvanic battery!"

In the 19th century, get-rich-quick, quack "doctors" outnumbered actual physicians almost 3 to 1! From ultra violet rays to blood circulating medical massagers, these wacky (and sometimes dangerous) devices were being pedaled by hucksters on every street corner.

While not much has changed in the last 150+ years (copper bracelets, anyone?), it's still fun to look back at these kooky devices and ask yourself "what were they thinking?!"

This little pendant is one of the more subdued and harmless examples of medical quackery. Known as Boyd's Battery, this galvanic battery allegedly uses a mixture of metals to work with the wearer's own humidity (aka sweat) to produce a gentle electrical charge, which will, of course, purify one's blood and cure what ails them.

This product was recommended to anyone with the following symptoms:

Restless nights, nightmares, palpitation of the heart, loss of confidence, dizziness, fainting spells, loss of memory, fullness of blood, fits of melancholy, debilitated, lack of power of will and action, disordered condition of the liver, blood, kidneys, or urinary organs.

It was proposed that "these troubles arise mostly from relaxation or debility, for the relief of which electricity is eminently adapted."

*This is a Victorian quack medical device, we make no guarantees about what curing powers it may or may not possess. But if it does work, please let us know!

Comes on a new sterling silver chain. 

Additional Details
Date: 1878
Materials: Mixed metals, sterling silver chain
Measurements: 1 1/4" diameter, 18" chain
Markings: Boyds Battery, Patented Jan 17 1878
Condition: Very good.
There is minor verdigris and tarnish to the metal. Does not detract.
Cleaning and Care

Clean with microfiber cloth and mild soap. Dry througholy.

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