HARNESS' ELECTROPATHIC BATTERY BELTS

HARNESS' ELECTROPATHIC BATTERY BELTS

As seen in Margaret Oliphant’s "The Library Window", the ‘understanding' of female hysteria came about in the 19th century. However, according to this advertisement, women should not fear…there is an electrical belt that can not only cure all your problems, but also prevent you from “female complaints” or “hysteria" in the future. We can infer that the angel seen in the center can be viewed as almost a god-send for female problems. Not only are there descriptive words such as “weakness” around these troubles but there is a large emphasis on how it can help a "lady's" figure and maintain the "vigour of the frame". These descriptions and the persuasive form of advertising towards women, shows how society devalued their emotions and diminished their problems.

Emma Saul

19th Century UK Periodicals

Myra's Journal

April 01, 1889

British Library

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