Alfred Eriksson's World Famous Apparatus for Vital Restoration
In the early 20th century, electricity was sold not just as technology, but as hope. Devices like this one promised to cure sciatica, rheumatism, nervousness, and insomnia through a weak electric current—the “spark of life” returned to the body.
Today it appears as a cabinet of curiosities of scientific belief, but also as an early attempt to unite body and machine.
The belief in the healing power of electricity has disappeared – but perhaps not the need to believe in something that can restore us.
This is how it was connected (historically)
- Power source: 2–4 1.5 V dry cells (often located in a separate compartment) or sometimes mains via a simple converter in later models.
- Choose two electrodes. Attach the cables to the brass terminals marked e.g. + / – or A / B.
- Moisten sponge pads (dist. water + a little salt) for better contact.
- Placement (typical examples of the time – not medical advice):
- Lumbar/seat for “sciatica”.
- Above the level of “rheumatism/gout”.
- Forearm/hand as counter pole via the wooden handle in the other hand.
- Adjust: start at lowest, increase until clear but bearable tingling/muscle twitching.
- Time indications in advertisements: often 5–15 minutes per point, 1–2 times/day.
