Shocking 1800's Medical Device - Clean and Repair

Physicians in the late 1800's liked to tout the benefits of electrical stimulation on (and in) the bodies of their patients, claiming to be able to cure a wide variety of ailments.
Today, I go through and clean, repair and hopefully preserve a galvanic powered, electro-therapy machine, also know as a portable battery or Gaiffe instrument. This little thing can turn low voltage DC into high voltage AC so that a stimulating shock is felt. I hope you enjoy as I explain how this works with some animations to help.
While I usually do restorations, this has been on my to-do list for awhile. I have tried to learn as much as I could about it to ensure it is safe and I have learnt how to do some simple animation to properly explain how it does what it does.
If you are here for the device more than the clean and repair, try looking up the book I reference and learnt a lot from, "An International System of Electro-therapeutics' first published in 1894.
play.google.co...

[@shellydehart8217]

Son of a gun, you did it! That’s fantastic. I’m impressed that you took much of your time to learn about this cool gadget. I remember growing up that we had one of those gadgets but ours you had to crank it to feel the shock or electricity go through ya. You did a amazing work on this. ♥️😊👍👍👍👍🌟

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! There was a bit less restoration and more tidy up, but I think it is such a cool device. They made toy versions of this for a long time, just not able to give as much of a zap. I'm glad you have found, and are enjoying some of my other videos 🙏

[@fredrickbaker5262]

Wow! Once I heard the sound and saw how you used the device, the tens unit is exactly what I thought about. good job.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

It never occurred to me to compare the 2! Same concepts, but luckily we don't try to use a TENS to cure all other sicknesses.

[@theoneandonlyowl3764]

I have personal experience with the machines. They were still using them hospitals not 20 years ago, and probably still are. The application is similar and the machines are electronic, but the machine I fixed a couple of times was not what I'd call a modern build. I'm fairly sure the output was D.C. too. I spent a lot of time in the theatres fixing all the machines that go 'Bing'. I forget all the settings available, apart from 245V D.C., but being an electrician with an electronics leaning, I was horrified. Especially as I'd spent a week in hospital, prior to snagging a job there, with depression and one of the first things they offered was to book me in for was a few sessions on one of those machines. I'd experience with both 240 and 415V as well as some really nasty DC voltages, and horrible static charges. Zapping yourself or your mates with your insulation tester is very tame in comparison. Passing any voltage through your brain is a very bad idea. Those things should have never been invented. Errr... nice work though, lol. I'm working my way through your videos from the oldest after a new one was recommended and it's good to find another Qld'er on YT.

[@Restorology]

This is fascinating. Thank you for sharing this. I enjoy your style of informative narration. I learn something every time. Cheers 🍻

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks heaps, glad you enjoyed it!

[@kathharper]

Cool "quack machine" restoration! Devices like this one were very popular and no doubt some of them REALLY dangerous from that time period. -Family had a similar and bigger one my Dad found that he had to hide from us as it worked. Wasn't very strong but the idea at the time was definite quackery or even a bit of the placebo effect as the mild shock made patients think it was doing something therapeutic. It does make one wonder whether modern devices like the TENS machines will be viewed as quack machines as medicine evolves.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

They are a cool device. From what I researched, newer machines do have some effects in certain scenarios, but need very precise current. For example they still use shock therapy for extreme depression with positive and repeatable results.

[@cindyherbold2384]

Great restoration. Thank you for the narrative very interesting 😊 ❤

[@RestorationEndeavours]

My pleasure! Not as many people seemed as interested in this piece, but it is so fascinating!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

Anyone else think it would be terrifying to be on the receiving end of this thing? Also… I have a tens unit in my house so I guess this is a precursor?

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Same concepts. TENS would have a type of transformer like this, but more complex and smaller. The scary part is, imagine your doctor said they would treat a heart or lung condition with it!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

@@RestorationEndeavours That's truly frightening!

[@debrapaulino918]

Was this used for epilepsy? Depression? Psychosis? All of those? Unthinkable trauma. Most likely non sedated. All those disorders deemed to be "in your mind."

[@RestorationEndeavours]

@@debrapaulino918 Exactly. Scary stuff. Check the description to a link to a copy of a book from he 1800's explaining how to treat certain conditions. Google just happens to have it up for free.

[@batterymakermarkii2654]

I'd replace that capacitor, it's a paper one and has got to be leaky as hell by now. You could easily melt out the beeswax, remove the guts and slip a modern one inside.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

It is! There is a point where you can see its suppression of the spark is reduced. I may down the track do just that or carve out underneath and put a smaller one in.

[@some-idea]

I love the test done on someone else 🤣

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Only after I was sure it was safe!

[@cindyherbold2384]

Yes 😮 very primitive, like Frankenstein!

[@kylianloubere4708]

Hello, I was able to acquire this device not long ago, but I noticed that the roller that is inserted into the coil was missing. I would like to know how to obtain a similar part, because I cannot afford to buy this device just for 1 accessory. I hope to receive a response from you, best regards Kylian.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Do you mean the brass tube that alters the strength of the shock? This one seemed to be brass with a lip on the end and then a clean varnish to stop it tarnishing. Maybe try a bit of brass tube from a Hobby Store? Let me know if you need more information, and good luck.

[@kylianloubere4708]

@@RestorationEndeavours I was able to find an incomplete Gaiffe on the net at a low price to be able to recover the brass tube. So I guess I solved my problem. anyway thank you for your response

[@cindyherbold2384]

Yes 😮 very primitive, like Frankenstein!