Medicine Through Time Gallery: Quack or Cure.
The dividing line between quack treatments and medical wonder cure has always been a relatively fine line.
Who would have thought that ground willow bark would be an effective cure for headaches? The bark of the white willow tree (Salix alba) has been used in China for centuries as a medicine because of its ability to relieve pain and lower fever. Early settlers to America found Native Americans gathering bark from indigenous willow trees for similar purposes. But today of course willow bark contains the same chemical as aspirin, which was recenlty described by Cancer Resarch UK as as 'One of the greatest finds in the history of drug discovery'.
In this virtual gallery though we exhibit some historical treaments and remedies, in the Devon and Exeter Medical Society Collection, that haven't become quite as well established.
A late 19th century electric shock machine.
A magneto-electric machine pocket size for nervous diseases which would have been used in the treatment of toothache, tic-doloreux or neuralgia. (? late 19thC?)
The Veedee Vibro Massager (c. 1900). "A mechanical device for the cure of nervous diseases and functional disorders."
An electric machine for nervous diseases which would have been used in the treatment of toothache, neuralgia etc. (?early 20thc?)
The Belgian blackstone dated 1800 originated in Trinidad.
It was promoted as an 'infallible cure for the treatment of blood poisoing,
snake bites, mad dog bites, wasp stings etc.
The instructions are to: draw a drop of blood from the injured part and
apply the stone to the wound. The stone sticks to the injured part and
does not come off until all the poison has been removed.
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An Overbeck's Rejuvenator (1925) - with variety of electrode attachments.
A Belgian blackstone dated 1800. A Belgian blackstone dated 1800.
The redmedy originated in Trinidad. It was promoted as an 'infallible cure for the treatment of blood poisoing, snake bites, mad dog bites, wasp stings etc.
The instructions are to: draw a drop of blood from the injured part and apply the stone to the wound. The stone sticks to the injured part and does not come off until all the poison has been removed.
Advert for the Veedee Vibro Massager (c. 1900). "A mechanical device for the cure of nervous diseases and functional disorders."