1940’s Era Royal Lee Endocardiograph EKG Made in Milwaukee – Vintage
This 1940’s era endocardiograph machine was designed by Dr. Royal Lee, “probably the largest publisher of unreliable and false nutritional information in the world” in 1937. It was manufactured by The Endocardiograph Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“The Endocardiograph was an electrical amplifying and recording stethoscope used by chiropractors and other practitioners to ‘diagnose’ disease and prescribe Lee’s vitamin preparations as treatment. Literature describing the use of the device also claimed that practitioners could use it to ‘detect and analyze’ enlargement of the heart, heart muscle fatigue, and diseases caused by nutritional deficiencies.”
“In 1963, the FDA initiated a seizure of three Endocardiographs in the possession of the Vitamin Products Company of Maryland (a distributor) along with promotional literature shipped by Lee’s organizations. The Government charged that the labeling of the device contained statements that falsely represented it as effective in detecting vitamin deficiencies, high blood pressure and many other disease conditions. In a speech on the day after the seizure had been made, Kenneth Milstead, Deputy Director of the FDA Bureau of Enforcement, described Lee as ‘probably the largest publisher of unreliable and false nutritional information in the world.” (The Shady History of Royal Lee and Standard Process Laboratories, Stephen Barrett MD)
The machine is made to be portable and is in its original wooden case which shows some use.
Measurements:
Height: 11.5 inches, 13 inches including handle
Width: 12 inches
Depth: 8.5 inches
