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Bill Jackson, FRPharmS, is a retired pharmacist
and a past president of the British Society of the History of Pharmacy
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The 4Ulcercare leg ulcer wrap |
Now that I am no longer in the first flush of youth I have
observed an increase in the number of pamphlets delivered by the postman,
urging me to buy sanitary underwear, incontinence pads, portable urinals,
crutches, folding walking sticks and invalid chairs. Other offers have
included air cushions, knee supports, magnifiers, hearing aids, devices
to aid entering or leaving the bath, or to exercise my legs while remaining
seated in an armchair, support stockings, copper bracelets for rheumatism,
and, more recently, fabric joint supports which contain copper thread
to “support and insulate the joint with gentle warmth and comfort”.
Magnetic jewellery
Recently I have noticed an increase in the number of appliances that
claim to possess therapeutic properties due to the action of magnets
incorporated in them. These include two different types of magnetic
haematite bracelet and a watch, with a quartz movement in an expandable
bronzed bracelet set with semi-precious stones and magnetic haematite.
Another leaflet illustrates a “magnetic Tibetan bracelet” made
from 20 haematite pearls and one smoked glass pearl with brass and
crystal trimmings, which would provide soothing magnetic therapy. The
secret of this bracelet is said to be based on a 4,000-year old science
used in traditional Chinese medicine. This device is also supposed
to bring the wearer good luck.
Another piece of jewellery is a gold-plated necklace (which should,
preferably, be worn next to the skin) containing seven “rare earth cobalt” type
magnets, each of which produce a 400 gauss magnetic field. The advertisement
observes that although the effects of magnetism remain a mystery many
people believe that it is useful for correcting imbalances (presumably
a reference to humoral medicine), improving the circulation and combating
stress and fatigue. Another magnetic bracelet that is suitable for both
men and women, made from “chromium metal” plated with 18
carat gold, contains five magnets, which would be in direct contact with
the skin when worn.
My memory was stimulated by these advertisements and I rummaged through
my collection of curios to unearth a “magnetic ear clip”,
which I had purchased some years ago. This was designed to be clipped
to the lobe of the ear (the left one for a right-handed person and the
right for anybody who is left-handed). The purpose was to exert a magnetic
influence on one of the acupuncture points in the ear, thereby reducing
the wearer’s appetite, and so helping to reduce his or her weight.
If one was seized with a wild desire to have a snack, the clip should
be squeezed or rubbed to help to combat this. It should be worn for one
hour, three times a day before meal-times and for an hour before bedtime.
The purchaser was warned, however, that the ear clip would not perform
miracles — it was only an aid to
assist in dieting, and more exercise would be helpful. Magnetic therapy in times past
The references to ancient therapies raised the question of how prevalent
the use of magnetism as a curative agent had been throughout the ages.
In “Chronicles of pharmacy” A. C. Wootton observed that
the in the first part of the sixth century AD, Aetius recommended holding
a magnet in the hand to relieve gout. In the 15th and 16th centuries,
magnetism was used to treat toothache, headache, convulsions and nerve
disorders, and towards the end of the 17th century magnetic tooth-picks
and earpicks were available to prevent or
alleviate pain in those areas.
In New England at this time, Thomas Palmer, who acted as both preacher
and doctor, was compiling a manuscript notebook of remedies. One of the
cures he suggested for a rupture or hernia was: “Or beat a load stone into fine powder and give it in pap, and
annoint the groines
with hony, and then strew it over with fine filings of Iron. Let this
Medicine be used for 10 or 12 dayes, the patient being well trussed up.”
Loadstone (or lodestone) is magnetite, a naturally occurring magnetic
iron ore, and the theory was that the iron filings adhering to the abdomen
would be magnetically
attracted by this, and would be drawn up, thereby reducing the rupture.
Unfortunately, a Dr Gilbert of Colchester had observed, in 1660, that
when it was powdered loadstone lost its magnetic properties.
Before this, in 1641 an Irishman, Valentine Greatrakes, joined Cromwell’s
army and was inspired by a dream to offer his services as a healer. His
method was to stroke the affected parts with an iron bar that had been
magnetised. His success was confirmed by men of education and distinction,
but the cures were only transitory, and the number of people who came
to him for treatment gradually
declined, until, finally, he retired.
In the early 1770s, a Jesuit priest known as Father Hell gained a reputation
for curing people by applying plates of magnetised steel to their bodies
and, in 1774, Franz Anton Mesmer established his pseudo-science of “animal
magnetism”. This originally took the form of group therapy in which
the patients sat round a tub containing “magnetised water”.
Iron rods protruded from the tub and the patients grasped them and held
them close to the afflicted parts of their bodies. Some of them were
cured by means of a convulsive fit, while others fell into a hypnotic
trance. Mesmer was forced to leave both Vienna and then Paris, condemned
as a charlatan, but mesmerism was practised in London without any constraint.
However, eventually he reached the conclusion that the value of the treatment
lay, not in the power of magnetism, but in that of the operator.
James Graham was a remarkable man who was born in Edinburgh in 1745,
studied medicine there (though he never qualified) and later practised
in England and then America where he made a great deal of money. On his
return to London he established a “Temple of health and hymen” where
one of his scantily clad assistants was 16-year-old Emma Lyons, who later
became Lady Hamilton, and subsequently Nelson’s mistress. Graham
is now
remembered chiefly for his “celestial bed”. This was 12 feet
long and nine feet wide,
supported by 40 glass pillars. It was activated by about 15cwt of compound
magnets. The bed could be tilted to aid impregnation, and for a fee of
50 guineas a couple who wished to conceive could spend the night in it,
to the accompaniment of music. In 1783, Graham returned to Edinburgh,
but by 1788 he
developed signs of insanity and had to be
restrained. He died six years later.
Advertisement for magnetic corsets invented by Cornelius Harness |
In 1891, Cornelius Bennett Harness
took out a patent for “Improvements
relating to corsets”. This related primarily to “electric
corsets” but also made provision for “magnetic corsets”.
The magnets described in the patent could be of any convenient form of
magnetised steel, and were usually horse shoe shaped or straight, and
placed in pockets whose position could be varied as required. The magnets
could even be used as corset stiffeners instead of the usual ones made
from whalebone. In addition to making the most awkward figure graceful
and elegant, they were said to aid the chest in its development and to
strengthen
the internal organs. Testimonials from a number of ladies endorsed their
value in treating rheumatism, nervous depression, loss of
appetite and insomnia. The corsets retailed at 5s.6d. post free, or 10s.6d.
for two, and must have been jolly good value at this price
because those supplied by other makers at this time seem to have varied
from 10s.6d to 52s.6d. each, with the exception of “Brown’s
patent dermathistic corset”, which was available in all colours
for 5s.11d.
Thus we see that although the value of magnetism as a therapeutic agent
has been a constantly recurring theme for some two thousand years, each
treatment has, in turn, been abandoned.
Magnetic therapy today
Now it would appear that magnetic cures are staging another comeback.
In addition to magnetic jewellery, another product advertised recently
was a cervical collar made from foam covered with jersey (a fine wool
yarn) which could be used to alleviate neck pain. It contained nine
magnets, could be adjusted by means of a hook and loop tape fastener
and could be worn without discomfort. The retail price was £6.99.
Further investigation revealed that one American supplier was offering
magnetic mattresses, pillows, magnetic wraps for the ankle, back, legs,
arms, shoulder, body, elbow, knee, chest or abdomen, neck, thumb and
wrist, as well as shoe inserts (powerstride, premium and supreme), magnetic
seats for the home, office or car and a magnetic cushion. Also available
were 4" x 6" x 0.5" ceramic magnets weighing two pounds
each, costing $30. Their gauss rating was 3,950 and they could penetrate
up to 12 inches. These were supplied in padded bags and could be placed
under pillows, mattresses, seat cushions and pet beds or against a headboard.
They could also be used to magnetise water by placing one under a glass
or pitcher of it. Finally, they produced a cordless magnetic massager.
This had the advantage of being portable and working more quickly because
a moving magnet has greater penetration than a static one. It was powered
by a lithium ion rechargeable battery and held a spinning neodymium magnet
with a gauss rating of 12,300 — surely a bargain at $125.99.
Another catalogue arrived this week which contained an advertisement
for a “shoulder pad with magnets”, containing no fewer than
15 “strategically placed sewn-in magnets”. Magnetic therapy on the NHS
Now we learn that the 4Ulcercare device, said to be more effective
than conventional treatments in healing ulcers, has been
available on the NHS since 1 March (see Panel) It
has been claimed that this will result in a considerable saving to the
NHS. Privately, the
wrap retails at £29 (plus postage), but will be supplied for NHS
use at £13. This device is marketed by Magnopulse, which supplies
a number of other products, including arm wraps, leather wrist bands,
and “Ladycare”, a small magnetic device which can be attached
to underwear to alleviate dysmenorrhoea. They also produce a wide range
of products for animals.
Magnetic fields are said to stimulate the circulation, enhance the natural
process of healing and increase the oxygen levels as well as decreasing
the levels of toxins in the blood. A number of trials have been carried
out to test the 4Ulcercare device, the results of which appear to be
encouraging. However, we should remember that many people were prepared
to testify to the efficacy of the treatments of Greatrakes, Graham, Mesmer
and Harness. Possibly, any improvement is due to a placebo effect, but
does this matter if good results are achieved at a moderate cost?
Perhaps the deciding factor could be that Cherie Blair, Bill Clinton
and Sir Anthony Hopkins are reported to be interested in magnetic therapy.
I am sure that time will
settle the question of whether this therapy will prove to be good value
for money.
2006: Leg ulcers and the first magnetic device available on the
NHS
Leg ulcers mainly tend to affect the elderly,
and most pharmacists will have come across a patient with a chronic
leg ulcer. Such ulcers
have to be kept clean and dressings are changed once a week. Large
or heavily exudating wounds require more frequent dressing changes
and it has been estimated that up to 50 per cent of community nurses’ time
is spent dressing ulcers.
About 70–80 per cent of leg ulcers are venous ulcers. These
are caused by high blood pressure in the veins in the legs (due to
the impaired function of the valves in those veins) and occur between
the ankle and mid-calf. The main treatment for venous ulcers is compression
therapy using a graduated multi-layer high compression system (eg,
a four-layer compression bandage).
Up to 20 per cent of leg ulcers are arterial. Poor blood circulation
(eg, as in peripheral vascular disease) can result in tissue ischaemia
and necrosis. Arterial ulcers typically occur over the toes or bony
parts of the feet and are generally more painful than venous ulcers.
They should not usually be treated with compression, so it is important
that all patients are properly assessed. Treatment may involve vascular
surgery to improve peripheral blood flow.
Leg ulcers are associated with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Diabetic ulcers can have both venous and arterial components.
Magnetic therapy Magnetic therapy for leg ulcers can now be prescribed
on the NHS in the form of 4Ulcercare. This is a magnet-containing
device designed to be wrapped around the leg. It is worn next to
the skin, between the knee and the calf muscle. According to the
manufacturer, the device should be worn 24 hours a day, and once
the ulcer has healed, the device should be worn at night to prevent
the ulcer recurring.
In a double-blind study,1 26 patients with chronic leg ulcers used
either 4Ulcercare or placebo for 12 weeks and their wounds were assessed
every four weeks. The patients using the magnetic device had reduced
ulcer measurements compared with the control group.
The manufacturer suggests the device works by:
· Promoting part of the tissue healing mechanism (when soft tissue
is injured it generates small electrical currents and magnets might
affect these currents)
· Increasing the proliferation of connective tissue cells
· Improving blood circulation
— Lin-Nam Wang |
1. Eccles NK, Hollinworth H. A pilot study
to determine whether a static magnetic device can promote chronic
leg
ulcer healing. Journal of Wound Care 2005;14:64–7.
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The
Pharmaceutical Journal