Accession No
2939
Brief Description
‘Macaura’s Pulsocon’; ‘blood circulator’ vibrating massage medical device, by British Appliances Manufacturing Company; English, 1920 (c)
Origin
English
Maker
British Appliances Manufacturing Company
Class
medical
Earliest Date
1920
Latest Date
1920
Inscription Date
Material
paper (cardboard and one other); metal (steel, white metal); organic (bristle); rubber; plastic; wood
Dimensions
length 276mm; box length 315mm; breadth 130mm; height 115mm
Special Collection
Provenance
Purchased from Christie’s, South Kensington, London, England; lot 118, 09/12/1982.
Inscription
‘MACAURA’S PULSOCON’ (box sides)
‘PATENT No. 13932.’ (box top)
‘The British
Appliances Manufacturing
Company.’ (box ends)
‘PULSOCON
PATENT 13932’ (bottom of instrument)
Description Notes
‘Macaura’s Pulsocon’; ‘blood circulator’ vibrating massage medical device, by British Appliances Manufacturing Company; English, c. 1920.
Stainless steel body with vertical wooden handle and cranked wooden handle operating cogs to vibrator head. Rubber suction attachment. Badger bristle brush in case. Original cardboard box with instructions leaflets.
Complete.
References
Events
Description
Macaura's pulsocon is a blood circulator from the 1920's. The human body needs a good supply of circulating blood. This is so that oxygen and nutrients can be pumped around and waste products can be taken away.
The pulsocon was basically a mechanical massager which was used like a handrill. The handle is turned (or cranked) and causes the tip to vibrate. The tip can then be placed on the body surface to massage a particular area.
Today modern massage and therapies recognise the importance of having good circulation, as well as being able to relax tense muscles and exercise stiff joints.
Created by: Lisa Newble
FM:40089
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