The Electricure
Item #133 - Electricure, McKee & Johnson, Newark, New Jersey;
c. 1900; A heavy aluminum cylinder, about 7lbs, 4" diameter at
the base, 8" high; 9-position selector switch on top - helpfully
labeled "Switch", switch held together
with screws at the back, 2 connections both labeled 'C'; two limb/neck electrodes, one hand electrode.
Case black leatherette over wood 12" x 5" x 4.5".
Condition of cylinder, switch, area electrode and limb electrodes is
excellent; some insulation loss on wires; some scuffing on box.
$800
The Electricure works on the same non-principle as the Oxydoner and the Electropoise. The cylinder is placed in a bowl of water and the electrodes are connected to the patient. The temperature difference between the water and the patient is supposed to create a flow of 'thermal electricity' that forces oxygen into the body. In use no current is created and no oxygen is supplied.
An earlier version of this instrument was made under the name Electrikure by Seeger & Clarke of NYC. Most references in the literature are to the Electrikure. Legal actions in Rhode Island around 1900-1907 were against the Electricure.
The base is heavy, about 7lbs at a guess. Made of spun aluminum, it is likely filled with crushed rock and pitch, there is no rattle when shaken.
The switch unscrews from the cylinder. The switch arm
is electrically connected to the stud.
The switch seems to select between various resistances,
or lack thereof:
The Electricure
Absolutely Cures Consumption, Female
Complaints, Paralysis, Rheumatism, Heart
Disease, and all Acute, Chronic and Organic
Diseases, no matter what their name or origin. It is no faith cure or necromancy, but is the
practical application of the greatest
discovery the giving of oxygen of this wise age
for the cure of all human Ills, and all
ailments of beasts as well, for the principle
affects equally all living kind. Two distinguishing qualities that make it
vastly superior to all other means of curing
disease and relieving pain, mark Its successful
work thus far, namely: It Is safe in its operations, reliable in its
effects. The effects of the Electricure must
not be confounded with a battery, dynamo or
static electricity nor galvanism, in any form
that has ever been given to the public; and its
operations are not like any electrical or
magnetic device as it Is a practical
application of a law of thermal electrical
action, the result of phenomena gathered in the
field of nature, around which no fences are,
and he who will may enter and dig truth with
which to bless mankind; Hence in comparison with other devices, founded
upon the principles of electrical science that
have been given to the public, attention is
called to this phenomena: (1) That Its
electrical currents are sensible on first
application to about one person in ten; on the
second, to one in one hundred; and on the
third, to one in ten hundred; It is operated without assistance whenever
water or its equivalent in temperature can be
had; altogether it is a marvel of construction,
adaptability and convenience; and is the most
adequate life agent of the century having
distanced all its eager competitors in the
grand race for amelioration of human suffering
by the direct application of the greatest
forces of the universe thermal electricity and
oxygen, as it kills every microbe in the
system. Let no invalid despair or seek the sea, the
mountain or a foreign shore In search of
health perchance to die when it can be surely
found at home by the Intelligent use of the
Electricure, for cures are wrought by it that
under the old system of medication are
impossible. Electricure advertisement