Dr. Macaura's Blood Circulator, 1890-1910

This item is a hand-held mechanical massager invented by an American, Gerald Joseph Macaura. Two thousand vibrations per minute are produced by cranking the handle of this mechanical massager, which was applied to the body. Advertised as a blood circulator, the massager was claimed to cure pain, deafness, anaemia, heart disease, cramp, polio and ‘women’s problems’ such as the now debunked diagnoses of hysteria. ‘Dr.’ Macaura freely admitted his device was useless against cancer, tuberculosis and baldness. He did, however, recommended a good diet, breathing deeply and avoiding alcohol. Thousands of the devices were made and this example was produced by British Appliances Manufacturing Co, based in Leeds, England. Similar items are Dr. Macaura's Pulsocon to loosen the joints and increase the circulation of blood. For more body massagers see the Niagara Hand Unit (NLC-2000-391) and the the Vibrofix Electric Massager (NLC-2000-504).