ELECTRO-MAGNETIC QUACKERY. 601 



though invisible agent, not at work? It pervades universal nature, and 

 may be said to hold the Universe in its grasp. It unites one particle of 

 matter to another, binds world to world and system to system. * * 

 It deposits the precious metal in the veins of the rock, gives its beautiful 

 sj^mmetrical form to the crystal, and paints the flowers of the field; and, 

 while it awes us in the flashing lightning and crashing thunder, lights up the 

 gentle Aurora Borealis in our winter evening sky." 



We have before us as we write a few of these pamphlets and advertise- 

 ments. There is, for example, the "most marvellous half-crowns-worth in 

 the world, the Electric Star," which is to be worn on the chest or spine over 

 one garment. "The warmth of the body will be sufficient to excite the cur- 

 rent, which should not be felt or but very slightly. If, however, the current 

 be too strong, it must be muffled with an extra thickness of flannel, which 

 changes its action to a 'quantity current' (less intensity)." This beneficent 

 star is to be obtained at the railway stations. The magnetic system of cure, 

 of which there are several varieties before us, are all based on the simple 

 fact of carrying a magnet on the person. These magnets are made up into 

 belts, sj^ine bands, gloves, necklets, &c., for local application to the affected 

 part. They are an almost infallible remedy for the whole gamut of human 

 ailments from teething and whooping cough to gout and paralysis. The 

 physical cause of the curative powers of magnetism is not far to seek. We 

 are told in one of these pamphlets that "it is one of the most clearly demon- 

 strated truths of science that magnetism is one of the forms of electricity ; 

 and that magnetism as easily and naturally becomes electricity, when ab- 

 sorbed by the living forces of the human frame, as water becomes vapor or 

 steam by the absorption of heat. The human frame, moreover, absorbs 

 magnetism when brought into connection with it, as easily and naturally as 

 the plant absorbs nourishment from the soil in which it grows. * * 

 Magnetic currents entering the human fra ifie, are absorbed by the blood 

 which carries in it a large portion of iron, and (in the arieries) also of oxy- 

 gen, both of them are highl}'- magnetic. As they circulate in the body, 

 therefore, they answer the same purpose as the coils of wire in the magneto- 

 electric machine. They attract and absorb the magnetism. The magnetism 

 thus drawn by them into the blood, becomes an electric current in the 

 blood, increasing its vitality and thus conveying fresh life and energy to 

 every part of the frame." A remedy like this which renovates the blood 

 itself cannot fail to be very comprehensive in its efficacy. As an instance 

 of the kind of infirmities to which it is applicable besides all the princijDal 

 diseases, we give another quotation : " Try a magnetic pad on a child that 

 is restless and fretful during the night, and the relief experienced will soon 

 speak for the value of the remedy. Persons in good'health, but exposed to 

 infection, or constitutionally liable to forms of disease, could hardly fail to 

 find themselves secured by wearing a magnetic belt or spine band, accom- 

 panied by the daily use of the magnetic friction glove. So with others who 

 would probably say they are in good health, but who are liable to depression 

 of spirits. * * Few sufferers need despair of obtaining relief " 



