Dr Macaura’s blood circulator

Made:
1890-1910 in Leeds
maker:
British Appliances Manufacturing Company
Mechanical massager, Dr Mechanical massager, Dr

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Mechanical massager, Dr
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Mechanical massager, Dr
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Mechanical massager, Dr. Macaura's blood circulator and box, made by British Appliances Manufacturing Co., Leeds, English, 1890-1910

Two thousand vibrations per minute are produced by cranking the handle of this massager, which was applied to the body. Advertised as a blood circulator, the massager was claimed to cure pain, deafness, anaemia, heart disease, cramp, polio and ‘women’s problems’. It was invented by Gerald Joseph Macaura, who freely admitted his device was useless against cancer, tuberculosis and baldness. He did, however, recommended a good diet, breathing deeply and avoiding alcohol. Thousands of the devices were made and this example was produced by British Appliances Manufacturing Co, based in Leeds, England.

Details

Category:
Therapeutics
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A602752
Materials:
steel, nickel plated, vulcanite, lignum vitae, heads (2), rubber and box, cardboard
Measurements:
overall: 290 mm x 100 mm x 110 mm, 1kg
type:
massager
credit:
Sibley, F.K.

Parts

Dr Macaura’s blood circulator box

Dr Macaura’s blood circulator box

Box for Dr. Macaura's blood circulator mechanical massager

Object Number:
A602752/2
type:
box - container