Gift of Daniel Piotrowski in memory of Horace W. Sellers III, 2016.100.72a-e © 2016 The Connect…

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Morehead’s Graduated Magnetic Machine

Original OwnerOriginally owned by Dr. Cyrus Pendleton American, 1830 - 1919

ManufacturerManufactured by D. C. Morehead

Dateabout 1847

Mediumwalnut; copper; wood; wire

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions ((a) height x width x depth of box): 4 × 8 3/4 × 7in. (10.2 × 22.2 × 17.8cm)
Primary Dimensions ((b) height x width x depth of battery cell): 2 5/8 × 7 7/8 × 3in. (6.7 × 20 × 7.6cm)
Primary Dimensions ((c) height x width x depth of machine): 3 × 8 × 2 7/8in. (7.6 × 20.3 × 7.3cm)
Primary Dimensions ((d-e) length x diameter of handles): 6 × 1in. (15.2 × 2.5cm)

ClassificationsEquipment

Credit LineGift of Daniel Piotrowski in memory of Horace W. Sellers III

Description(a) box
(b) battery cell
(c) machine
(d-e) handles

Dr. Cyrus Pendleton of Hebron, Conn. originally owned this Morehead's Graduated Magnetic Machine. The machine is stored in a walnut box with directions for use printed on the inside of the box top. A battery cell is located at the back of the box. It is rectangular with a smaller, narrower cell in the center. The battery is stored in front of the battery. It has a green tube with copper caps, copper screws in each corner, and a copper cross-piece behind the tube. Two wooden and magnetic handles have wires attached to the top. The wires from the handles attach to the machine and wires from the battery attach to the machine.

Object number2016.100.72a-e

InscribedTyped in black ink on inside box cover: "MOREHEAD'S GRADUATED/ MAGNETIC MACHINE./ This Instrument is an important improvement over all other forms of manufacture, and is recommended by the Medical Profession generally,/ as being the most convenient and effectual Magnetic Machine in use. It is exceedingly simple in its arrangement, it admits of the most perfect/ control, and can be GRADUATED to any power; adapted for an infant, or sufficient for the strongest adult, at the pleasure of the operator. The/ Magnetic force is imparted in a continuous manner, and with no unpleasant sensation to the most delicate patient. It requires no assistant in its use,/ and is inevery respect enturely harmless./ It may be stated that the Magnetic Machine is used with positive and permanent success in all cases of Rheumatism, acute or chronic, seated either/ in the head, joints or limbs; Gout, Tie-Doloreux, Nervous and Sick Headache, Paralysis, Epileptic Fits, Dyspepsia, Palpitation of the Heart, Spinal,/ and Hip Complaints, Stiffness of the Joints, Lumbago, Neuralgia, Nervous Tremors, General Debility, Deficiency of Nervous and Physical Energy,/ and all Nervous Disorders. As a preventive for Apoplexy, the use of the Machine is confidently recommended and in the most confirmed cases of/ Scrofula, Dropsy, Erysipelas, Deafness, Curvature of the Spine, and all similar complaints, its effects are equally successful. (See Morehead's Manual/ for the application of the Machine in various diseases.)/ DIRECTIONS FOR USE./ Fill the cell of the Copper Battery, where the Zinc is placed, with a solusion of Blue/ Vitriol (Sulphate of Copper,) made by dissolving two ounces of the crystals to each/ pint of water. The Battery being thus charged, place one end of each of the connect-/ing wires firmly into the apertures at the corners of the Copper and Zinc plates of/ the Battery, carefully fixing the other ends of the wires in the binding screws of the/ Machine, as represented in the cut. The wires attached to the handles are to be fas-/tened in the opposite screws, then slightly touch the cross-piece of the Magnet, and/ immediately the Machine will commence operating. Upon holding the handles the/ Magnetic sensation will be experienced, which may be graduated to any degree of/ power, by simply withdrawing the Graduator from the centre of the Coil./ After using the Machine, the Zinc should invariably be taken out of the liquid and/ well washed and scraped, so as to entirely remove the deposit, and leave the surface/ bright. The Zinc should never be kept in the liquid except when the Machine is de-/sired to operate. On placing the Zinc in the liquid, care must be taken that no part/ of it touch the Copper sides of the Battery. The solution of Blue Vitriol requires to/ be renewed when it becomes too weak for efficient action; the frequency of renewal/ depends on the time the Machine has been in operation, probably every two or three/ days. The ends of the connecting wires and the apertures in the Battery where they/ are placed, should be kept bright and clean. The screw on the top of the cross-piece/ of the Magnet requires to be occasionally adjusted, which should be done by carefully/ turning the screw up or down as may be requisite, to render the action of the Machine/ perfect. The Platina where the point of the screw touches, should be kept clean and/ free from dust; and every portion of the Instrument should be preserved in as careful/ and cleanly a manner as possible./ The above directions are very plain and easily understood, and if strictly followed there is no danger of the Machine becoming out of/ order or deranged in any manner./ MANUFACTURED AND SOLD WHOLESALE AND RETAIL BY/ D. C. MOREHEAD, M. D., 182 BROADWAY, NEW-YORK./ (Entered according to the act of Congress, in the year 1847 by D. C. MOREHEAD, in the Clerk's Office of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New-York."

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