This picture was taken at the Musee d’Histoire de la Medicine. This machinery was used in the past to help those with mild depression. Electricity was run through the contraption and the patient would touch the metal bar to get a “treatment” of electricity. It was thought that electrical stimulation of some sort could have neurological effects. This concept is still used today to possibly treat various diseases with specific electrical stimulations throughout the brain. Some people have even been using methods like transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance their cognitive abilities.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-diy-brain-booster-devices-work/