Brief Description

Révulseur or Baunscheidtismus for preparing skin for the application of "Oleum Baunscheidtii". Consists of black synthetic stem, spring handle and head with 30 silver-plated needles.

History of Object

"Lebenswecker" (c. 1840) was a device sonsiting of 30 or more gold-plated needles fixed in a holder. The spring mechanism was similar to that of scarifiers and the arrangement of needles in Chinese multiple-needle acupuncture techniques. "Oleum Baunscheidtii" contained cyanide, croton oil and other irritants, and caused exanthematous eruption. The technique became fashionable among German-Americans and was for a time very popular in the United States. Here it was used as late as 1900, but in Europe the technique had died out much earlier. This model is later than 1840 and has 33 silver-plated needles. "Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary" (26th ed.), p. 159, notes that it was used to treat "chronic rheumatism"; see "baunchsiedtism".

Materials and Finishes

Metal (silver plated) and synthetic.

References

Book: Gei-Djen, Lu and Joseph Needham, 1980. "Celestial Lancets: A History and Rationale of Acupuncture and Moxa" (Cambridge University Press), p. 300.

Brief Description

Electrical vibrator for electrovibratory massage, by Sanax. Metal motor casing, black wooden handle, with electrical cord (3 prong, 240 volts), with five head fittings.

History of Object

Materials and Finishes

Metal (chrome plated), wood (painted), wire (electrical), plastic, rubber, cloth and velvet.

References

Brief Description

"Veedee" Vibrator by J.E. Garratt. Consists of hand-cranked instrument with spinning head attachments. Also price list, instructions, user list, two booklets and advertising cloth.

History of Object

Sold in Victoria by William Davis, [address] Kew; and Alford & Rowse, [address] Hawthorn.

Materials and Finishes

Wood, leatherette, metal, velvet, rubber, cork, paper (printed), plastic, cotton, glass, contents and leather.

References

Brief Description

Advertising brick-like plinth for Jones' "Rheumaticuro" with the slogan, "Acts Like A Charm".

History of Object

Materials and Finishes

Sand and clay (painted).

References

Brief Description

"Everready" "Medical Coil" No. 87, vibrating and toling instrument, battery operated with push button operation. In own cardboard box, with original battery.

History of Object

Materials and Finishes

Metal (plated), leather (chamois), fabric, wire (electrical), cardboard, paper (printed) and synthetic.

References

Brief Description

Sterling Violet Ray apparatus comprising small portable vulcanite high frequency generator with attached cylindrical vulcanite handle and copper-tipped, glass surface applicator with cylindrical tube and flattened bulb, instruction booklet and instrument case. Metalcylinder, nozzle and screw included; missing connecting attachments.

History of Object

This item was originally donated to the Victorian Branch of the Australian Medical Association. The A.M.A. donated its historical collection of documents and artifacts to the University of Melbourne's Medical History Museum in 1994.

Originally belonged to Sir Cecil Colville.

Materials and Finishes

Vulcanite, metal, fabric, leather and wood.

References

Brief Description

"Violetta" ray apparatus comprising: cylindrical vulcanite handle; high-frequency generator with attached electric power plug; 4 glass surface applicators with cylindrical tubes and metal bases; 2 flattened bulbous tips, 1 T-shaped, 1 with fork-type prongs; leatherette-covered case with purple fabric lining and printed 12-month guarantee glued on inside of lid.

History of Object

This item was originally donated to the Medical Society of Victoria (which later became part of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Medical Association). The A.M.A. donated its historical collection of documents and artifacts to the University of Melbourne's Medical History Museum in 1994.

Materials and Finishes

Vulcanite, glass, leatherette, fabric and metal.

References

Brief Description

Révulseur or resuscitator for the technique of counter irritation, by scarifying the skin and then applying the mixture, "Oleum Baunscheidtii". Vulcanite apparatus with large stem, spring handle for releasing circular head of needles, protected by bulb and cap, with decorative arrow tip.

History of Object

This item was originally donated to the Medical Society of Victoria (which later became part of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Medical Association). The A.M.A. donated its historical collection of documents and artifacts to the University of Melbourne's Medical History Museum in 1994.

Materials and Finishes

Vulcanite and metal.

References

Book: Gwei-Djen Lu, Joseph Needham. 1980. "Celestial Lancets: A History and Rationale of Acupuncture and Moxa". Cambridge Univeristy Press, p.300.

Quote from reference above: "...Charles Baunscheidt, invented in the forties [1840s] a 'resuscitator' (Lebenswecker) which consisted of 30 or more gold plated needles fixed in a holder and driven into the skin of the patient at the release of a spring... Oleum Baunscheidtii, containing cyanide, croton oil and other irritants was then painted over the place, resulting in an exanthematous eruption... The whole process became fashionable among German-Americans... The spring mechanism was evidently derived from similar arrangements in the 'scarifiers' used for bleeding, but the arrangement of the needles is reminiscent of the multiple needle techniques used in China..." p.300.

Brief Description

Pewter "Amoniaphone" consisting of cylinder with screw-on handles at each end and central nozzle.

History of Object

Mr Peter Phillips bought the amoniaphone in the late 1970s at Mrs. Murphy's Antique Shop in Echuca. He donated the bottle in August 1997.

Materials and Finishes

Pewter.

References

Brief Description

Photocopy of phrenological chart/report compiled and completed by Professor A.J. Abbot for Master Amos Walter Bowman (age 14), dated July 26, 1896. Described as "Full Verbal Delineation - Written at cost of 5/-", and comprised blue cover page, seven pages of written report (buff) and blue end page containing Abbot's "Man Know Thyself!"

History of Object

Donated by the family of Dr. A.W. Bowman.

Materials and Finishes

Paper (printed).

References

Brief Description

Porcelain bust (head and upper trunk) mounted on brass fitting which attaches to polished wooden disc. Bust is white with areas marked in black, either named or numbered. The key to the numbers is on the "upper trunk" of the bust.

History of Object

From Harold Attwood's collection.

Materials and Finishes

Porcelain, ink, brass and wood.

References

See Supplementary File for inscriptions of cerebral regions.