Boyd's Battery



The Boyd's Battery (or Boyd's Miniature Galvanic Battery) is an electrotherapeutic medical medallion, promising to generate a healing electric current in the wearer, produced by the reaction of the varying metals constituting the battery against the skin (as a galvanic response). It was invented by J.C. Boyd, for whom it is named, and first sold in 1878 through Boyd's Galvanic Battery Co.

Design
The battery itself is approximately 3 centimetres in diameter, and is composed of 12 individual disks of copper, brass, German silver, and nickel, surrounding a central copper rosette, itself with a brass disk plugged into the centre, all of which is encircled by a brass ring.

Effects
Among other afflictions, a Boyd's Battery was recommended to those subject to any of the following symptoms: "Restless Nights, Nightmare, Palpitation of the Heart, Loss of Confidence, Dizziness, Fainting Spells, Loss of Memory, Fullness of Blood, Fits of Melancholy, Debilitated, Lack of Power of Will and Action, Disordered Condition of the Liver, Blood, Kidneys, or Urinary Organs". It was proposed that "these troubles arise mostly from relxation or debility, for the relief of which electricity is eminently adapted."