The offspring of a cattle prod and an electrical lamp? It definitely looks like something left over from the Spanish Inquisition.
Invented in 1918, this device promised to stimulate the abdominal brain (I am not sure what that is, although men have long been accused of thinking with it). The device consisted of a 4.25 inch probe which was plugged into the wall and then inserted into the rectum. When plugged in, a blue light bulb lit up to tell you it was working to restore your manly vitality.
Plus, from the Museum of Erectile Dysfunction, which has several more scary things - this electrostimulation device from the 1880s may look innocuous enough, until you find out that the short cylinder goes up the rectum while the length of the longer probe is inserted in the urethra.
One has a positive charge, one has a negative charge, and together they pack a wallop intended to jolt the genitalia back into action.
If that didn't do the trick you could always try these Radium Suppositories:
After radium was discovered in 1898 by Paul and Marie Curie, radioactive substances were used as popular quack cures for all kinds of conditions. Before anyone knew about their toxic and carcinogenic properties, people drank radioactive water for its supposed curative effects, and, as you can see, also inserted radiation in the other end.
These radium suppositories promised to restore "sexual power" to men's weakened organs. "Also splendid for piles and rectals sores."
If that didn't do the trick you could always try these Radium Suppositories:
After radium was discovered in 1898 by Paul and Marie Curie, radioactive substances were used as popular quack cures for all kinds of conditions. Before anyone knew about their toxic and carcinogenic properties, people drank radioactive water for its supposed curative effects, and, as you can see, also inserted radiation in the other end.
Thanks for all the stuff on your blog. Always interesting, sometimes instructive.
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