Posted 12 years ago
isearchuwin
(4 items)
Here we go again in my friends Attic....When I saw this it was hanging on the arm of the old slot machine I put on here. I thought it was something that belonged to the slot machine as a base or ???? Looking at it I thought no it would not plug in and what good was this separate piece going around a slot machine but not hooking into it and it has a plug???? Well it is round and it is leather and has a plug. I just could not imagine what it was. Well took it home and wiped off some dust and low and behold....it has a faded embossed round marking with what I can see to be: Wilshire Ionco Magnetic Life Buoy Los Angeles Wear 10 minutes twice a day. Well needless ot say I am not going to plug it in nor wear it! Has anyone seen or heard of this one? I can't read anymore of it. It is worn off and faded. I would love to know when it was made and any history. She had no idea what it was as again she is 81 and moved into the house 40 some years ago after marrying and it all belonged to her husband's father and mother so she does not even know what all the stuff is up there. She just has left it but wants to get some of it out so I am helping her. Wierd stuff up there and some cool stuff. Any info on this strange thing would be great! I can't seem to find categories for what I have! Where is the medical oddities category??????
Hi isearchuwin! I love old quackery medical equipment. And I agree that a category for it would be great! I found this picture:
http://p2.la-img.com/171/23644/8420383_1_l.jpg
and a little information that might be of interest.
"Known a 'magic horse collar,' this was the first magnetic belt offered to the public. Bob McCoy's 'Quack: Tales of Medical Fraud,' describe it as being a coil of insulated wire about 18 inches in diameter with a bakelite electric plug and cord, Wilshire marked clearly on plug. Measures approximately 18 x 21 inches in its current form. Includes the smaller coil that, when brought in close proximity to the plugged-in larger belt, would light the little flashlight bulb, thus confirming the apparatus was working."
Thanks for the share! :-)
Wow Chinablue Thank you very much! Lots of great information. Quack is right though but some people bought them looking for relief. Fun item but pretty useless except conversation piece. Should be in a Doctors office on the wall or something!
You're very welcome, isearchuwin! It's amazing what people have used themselves and what has been used by doctors over the years. What's interesting to me are the items and practices that they are finding weren't so crazy after all and are actually being re-visited by researchers today. Glad I could help. :-)