Electrotherapeutic chair, London, England, 1890-1900

Electrotherapeutic chair, by C.B. Harness, English, 1890-1900 Electrotherapeutic chair, by C.B. Harness, English, 1890-1900 Electrotherapeutic chair, by C.B. Harness, English, 1890-1900

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Electrotherapeutic chair, by C.B. Harness, English, 1890-1900
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Electrotherapeutic chair, by C.B. Harness, English, 1890-1900
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Electrotherapeutic chair, by C.B. Harness, English, 1890-1900
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Electrotherapeutic chair, possibly a modified dentist's chair, probably for auto-conduction, with metal grip electrodes on chair handles, adjustment dials on back, and the remains of some electrical apparatus in panel underneath seat, by C.B. Harness, English, 1890-1900

Torture or treatment? This imposing wooden and velvet chair is an electrotherapeutic chair. Electrotherapy was a popular treatment during the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was used for a range of ailments. It was believed electric currents passed over the skin stimulated the body to recovery. The fold-down carpeted footrest hides a compartment. This houses the battery-powered electrotherapy unit. The unit produced a current that was passed through wires to the metal hand grips. The patient sat in the chair and held these grips while an electric current was applied. The reclining chair also has an adjustable headrest. This indicates it had other medical uses such as dentistry. The ornate nature of the chair suggests there was a wealthy clientele prepared to pay for electrotherapy.

Details

Category:
Therapeutics
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A602153
Materials:
frame, mahogany, upholstery, velvet, red and fittings, metal
Measurements:
overall: 990 mm x 760 mm x 1130 mm,
type:
electrotherapy equipment - component

Parts

Electrotherapeutic chair, London, England, 1890-1900

Electrotherapeutic chair, London, England, 1890-1900

Electrotherapeutic chair, without foot rest

More

Torture or treatment? This imposing wooden and velvet chair is an electrotherapeutic chair. Electrotherapy was a popular treatment during the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was used for a range of ailments. It was believed electric currents passed over the skin stimulated the body to recovery. The fold-down carpeted footrest hides a compartment. This houses the battery-powered electrotherapy unit. The unit produced a current that was passed through wires to the metal hand grips. The patient sat in the chair and held these grips while an electric current was applied. The reclining chair also has an adjustable headrest. This indicates it had other medical uses such as dentistry. The ornate nature of the chair suggests there was a wealthy clientele prepared to pay for electrotherapy.

Electrotherapeutic chair, London, England, 1890-1900

Electrotherapeutic chair, London, England, 1890-1900

Foot rest, wood fascia board and 4 screws to hide internal mechanism of Electrotherapeutic chair

More

Torture or treatment? This imposing wooden and velvet chair is an electrotherapeutic chair. Electrotherapy was a popular treatment during the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was used for a range of ailments. It was believed electric currents passed over the skin stimulated the body to recovery. The fold-down carpeted footrest hides a compartment. This houses the battery-powered electrotherapy unit. The unit produced a current that was passed through wires to the metal hand grips. The patient sat in the chair and held these grips while an electric current was applied. The reclining chair also has an adjustable headrest. This indicates it had other medical uses such as dentistry. The ornate nature of the chair suggests there was a wealthy clientele prepared to pay for electrotherapy.