Thursday, October 20, 2016

Now This Is Shocking...!

Sometimes I have to wonder if the folks of the Victorian Era were mostly nuts! Sometimes there isn't any doubt!


Electrocuting Their Own Genitals



Photo credit: dontdoitmag.co.uk

The Victorians liked men to be men, and any sign of unmanliness was a serious cause of concern. To battle weakness and deficiencies of “masculine energy,” Victorian scientists came up with one of the most absurd cures ever: a belt that delivered constant electric shocks to the subject’s genitals.

These were the days when electricity was so new that it was considered a potential cure-all for just about everything. Just as wackos in the 1950s claimed that radiation could heal anything, so too did Victorians consider electricity a kind of wonder drug.

The experiments were considered such a success that their use expanded to curing impotence, and they started appearing for sale in magazines. Strangely enough, they never really caught on with the general public, who seemed unwilling to embrace severe shocks to their genitalia.

I have a pretty good idea as to why this didn't catch on with the general public. I know I wouldn't have used one, thanks just the same!

Coffee out on the patio this morning.

8 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

I never heard that peeing on the electric fence had any useful side effects, either.

Judy said...

Makes you wonder if the inventor actually tested and/or used it themselves.

Made blueberry scones if anyone would like one with your coffee.

HermitJim said...

Hey Gorges...
But we all know that there are a few, right?
Thanks for stopping by this morning!


Hey Judy...
I'd bet he didn't and I don't blame him at all!
Thanks for coming by today!

linda m said...

I don't think I would like to have any "experimenting" done on me. I have seen some of these contraptions in museums and no thanks.

JO said...

Good Grief! Victorians sure were a strange lot.

Seems I fixed the problem with getting updates here. Sure didn't like not seeing your new posts. See you all on the patio

Dizzy-Dick said...

Yep, shocking for sure!! I bumped into an electric fence and it hit the bone at the base of my neck. That lit up my whole body. Don't ever want to do that again.

Sixbears said...

I cringe just thinking about it. That's no way to treat Big Jim and the Twins.

HermitJim said...

Hey Linda...
I feel the very same way, believe me.
Thanks for the visit today!


Hey Jo...
Glad that you got the bugs worked out.
Thanks for dropping in sweetie!


Hey Dizzy...
That must have been memorable, for sure.
Thanks for coming over today!


Hey Sixbears...
I can safely say that isn't the treatment for anyone's family jewels!
Thanks for stopping by today!