This is an antique Quack Machine. Patented in 1886 by W.O. Wilson, he named it the \"Actina\".
It was an electro-mechanical pocket device advertised to cure Deafness, Blindness, Asthma, Bronchitis, Headaches, Sore Throat, Week Lungs, and Colds etc. You name it, this thing would cure it! The device was to be held over the problem area: eyes, ears or nose, and the cure would begin.The amazing ACTINA is 3 1/4” high with screw stoppers at either end. It is made of brass with either nickel or silver plating. It has a small copper band which is inscribed \"Actina, W.C.Wilson Inventor No. 92488 Pat. May 11, 1886 No. 341,712.\" Its principal ingredient was Oil of Mustard, which was an active poison. Apparently, the smell alone was enough to send one reeling.
Just slightly our of round at the base. Also, the bottom plug does not stay in well.
All in all, an interesting old piece of medical quackery.
Winning buyer to pay calculated shipping from our 52641 Zip Code. Insurance available upon request. E-mail me with any questions you might have. Thanks for your interest!