Name/Title
Perkins tractors owned by PerkinsDescription
On February 19, 1796, Dr. Elisha Perkins (1741-1799) patented the first medical quackery device in the United States when he created two metal probes which supposedly “drew out” disease and pain after being drawn across the skin on any part of the body. His “Perkins Tractors” were two rods of brass and iron, though one tractor was supposedly made of copper, zinc, and gold, and the other iron, silver, and platinum. George Washington owned a pair and this particular example was owned by Perkins himself.
Below is a famous illustration demonstrating the use of Perkins' metallic tractors, an aquatint with watercolors on paper by James Gillray (1801).
These tractors were purchased from antique dealer Michael Gordon who purchased them on eBay from a descendant of the Perkins family.Condition
Overall Condition
Very GoodDate Examined
Aug 8, 2026Create Date
August 8, 2026Update Date
October 2, 2026
