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Hi
Thanks Vicki, Ros and Christine for your very helpful info.
You're quite right, it appears to be what was known as a 'violet ray
machine' or 'violet ray generator'.
I've now found some useful and interesting web stuff on vintage violet
ray machines, including this website, which is an online museum of
vintage electrotherapy
http://www.electrotherapymuseum.com
Thanks again for helping to identify this unusual gadget!
Adam
Adam Bell
Assistant Keeper
History
Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
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From: Social History Curators Group email list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Victoria Slade
Sent: Friday, June 04, 2010 1:39 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [SHCG-LIST] Bizarre medical machine, possibly an early ECT
machine?
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author of this message.
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Dear Adam,
Your machine looks very similar to a Tucker's Violet Ray machine we have
in the collection here. Ours comes with a number of glass attachments
including one shaped for the eyes and a comb-like one. If you think it
would be helpful I can provide you with copies of the information and
instruction leaflets that come with this machine?
In 1924 Percy Hall wrote in his book, 'Ultra-Violet Rays in the
Treatment and Cure of Disease', that "the power of the ultra-violet rays
to cure surgical tuberculosis and rickets, to hasten the cure of wounds,
and improve the general health of weakly children has been abundantly
established."
Best wishes,
Vicki
Vicki Slade
Curatorial Officer (Social History)
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum
Direct line 01926 742703
-----Original Message-----
From: Social History Curators Group email list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ros Watson
Sent: 04 June 2010 12:33
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [SHCG-LIST] Bizarre medical machine, possibly an early ECT
machine?
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your message will be sent to all the people on the list, not just the
author of this message.
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Adam
This looks like an ultra violet therapy machine to me rather than an ECT
machine. So it won't really help you recreate Frankenstein. You could
buy them for home use I think. The different glass shapes allowed you to
direct the light at different parts of the body. The Elco company were
one of the manaufacturers, but there were lots of others. I think Elco
may still be going. They claimed to cure many ailments and were sold
from the c1900 to the 1950s.
Ros Watson
Curator of Human History
Harrogate Museums and Arts
The Mercer Art Gallery
Swan Road, Harrogate, HG1 2SA Tel: 01423 556188 Fax: 01423 556130
Email: [log in to unmask]
www.harrogate.gov.uk
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