Researches in electro-allotropic physiology : uses of different qualities of electricity to cure disease
820 Broadway, New York: Jerome Kidder M'f'g. Co. after 1883. [2], 115, [3] pages. 8vo (5 3/4 x 8 3/4 inches) Printed tan wrappers. Front wrapper detached, rear nearly so, soiled and chipped. Generally clean internally. Edges of catalog with significant wear not affecting text. Wrappers with advertising internally as well. Pages 15/16 with two small paper holes to the text body affecting an illustration on page 15 and two paragraphs on page 16. Good. Wraps. [26615]
Post dating the death of Jerome Kidder, (who died on May 13, 1879), this catalogue sized pamphlet presents as a research piece with an integrated trade catalogue. It begins with earned awards and boilerplate how applications work from previous catalogs. Pages 26-45 are excellent wood engravings in the typical trade catalogue style, with prices and explanations of Kidder's electrical apparatus, showing current offerings. Then follows a few pages of testimonials. But unlike earlier catalogues, much of the remaining material is composed of reprints from major medical journals highlighting the value of electricity in medicine, applications, etc. Given the undoubtedly high cost of printing, the firm must have found real sales value in reprinting articles from major research journals. These journal articles report real world electro-medical treatments and results. Perhaps this scientific content was an attempt to differentiate them from the quack medicine providers who were prone to printing pages of unverifiable testimonials.
Not in Romaine, who does note three other Jerome Kidder related items. Davis and Dreyfus (Finest Instruments) records a single location (Bakken) but dating it to circa 1887 (and noting three other editions from 1874 to c1888). OCLC notes a few other examples (only one of the current edition), all in very small numbers (<4). Edmonson (American Surgical Instruments, the History of their Manufacture...) notes Jerome Kidder Mfg Co at 820 Broadway, New York from 1882 to 1900. Dated base on the last printed internal date (1883 in the testimonials).
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