Title derived from volume title., Frontispiece for: Essai sur l'ectricité́ des corps, Paris, 1746., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., This electronic record is derived from historic data and may not reflect our current information. Review and updating of records is ongoing., and Temporary local Medical Library subject terms: Scales & Balances; Weights & measures.
Publisher:
Chez les Frères Guérin
Subject (Topic):
Electricity, Experiments, Biomagnetism, Spectators, Scientists, and Scientific equipment
Two renowned quacks demonstrate the superiority of each other's experiments and inventions. On the left, Graham, a quack, fashionable doctor and visionary, stands on the glass insulators used in his experiments with electricity and placed on top of a podium in the form of an E.O.(gaming) table, a reference to the illegal gambling he patronized at his residence. He stradles a long tube signed, "Prime conductor / Gentle restorer / Largest in the world." Behind his table stand two gigantic porters employed at his establishment, named here "Gog" and "Magog." The placard around Gog's neck, "The Temple of Health & of Hymen," is an allusion to Graham's 'celestial bed' for cure of sterility. His opponent on the right side of the image, quack, conjurer and showman Katerfelto, crouches next to a cylindrical conductor signed, "Positively Charg'd." The trident inserted in the back end of the conductor touches a grindstone turned by the devil. Electric sparks shoot from its front end and from Katerfelto's right thumb and index finger. Some sparks drip on a toy cannon in front of him firing at Graham. His podium is made of flimsy planks placed atop the container signed, "Reservoir for Dead Insects destroyd by Dr. Katterf[elto]."
Description:
Title from item., Sheet trimmed trimmed to plate mark., and Mounted to 28 x 39 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. March 17th 1783 by W. Humphrey No 227 Strand
Subject (Geographic):
England
Subject (Name):
Graham, James, 1745-1794. and Katerfelto, Gustavus, fl. 1782-1783.
Subject (Topic):
Electricity, Experiments, Gog and Magog, Quacks, Devil, Medicines, Gambling, and Wigs
