Atomizer consisting of (a) an amber glass bell-shaped bottle; (b) a rubber squeeze bulb; and (c) a bakelite spray tube; box not numbered.
Number Of Parts
3
Part Names
a - bottle - Size: Length 5.8 cm x Diam. 5.3 cm
b - bulb - Size: Length 15.2 cm
c - spray tube - Size: Length 13.2 cm
box - Size: Length 7.2 cm x Width 15.2 cm x Depth 7.6 cm
Provenance
Acquired from the Academy of Medicine; source: Mr. Hugh Gilchrist, executor of Dr. McCosh's estate (Toronto); owned and used by Dr. J.T. McCosh of the University of Toronto.
University Health Network - Academy of Medicine Collection
Category
Diagnostic & Treatment Artifacts
Classification
Respirology
Accession Number
1980.18.85 a-n
Description
Two piece black cardboard package (m-n) contains supplies for an inhaler using Munyon’s inhaler tablets (a-b) including green glass bottle (k) to hold the arrangement of glass tubes and black rubber corks to create an inhaler when inserted into the appropriate liquid inside the bottle; two boxes wi…
Two piece black cardboard package (m-n) contains supplies for an inhaler using Munyon’s inhaler tablets (a-b) including green glass bottle (k) to hold the arrangement of glass tubes and black rubber corks to create an inhaler when inserted into the appropriate liquid inside the bottle; two boxes with vials of inhaler tablets, not opened, with tan paper labels providing directions; separate vial with tablets for fever cure (c); box with graphic image of man using inhaler and other sides with precautions and illustration of the assembled inhaler.
Number Of Parts
13
Part Names
a – box & vial of tablets Box: L 8.5 cm x W 2.2 cm x D 2.2 cm Vial: L7.7 cm x 1.9 cm Diam
b – box & vial of tablets Box: L 8.5 cm x W 2.2 cm x D 2.2 cm Vial: L7.7 cm x 1.9 cm Diam
c – fever vial L 5.9 cm x 1.6 Diam
d – glass tube for rubber bulb L 7.0 cm x 1.3 cm Diam
e – rubber bulb – broken and solid
f – rubber stopper L 2.4 cm x 2.4 cm
g – clear glass tube l5.1 c, x 1.5 cm Diam
h – glass tube L 10.0 cm x 0.3 cm Diam
i – curved glass tube L 5.0 cm x 0.3 cm Diam
j – rubber stopper L 1.3 cm x 1.5 cm Diam
k – green glass bottle L 10.5 cm x 4.6 Diam
l – missing
m – box surround L 13.0 cm x W9.8 cm x D 5.7 cm
n – box bottom L12.2 cm x W 9.3 cm x D 5.2 cm
Provenance
Acquired from the Academy of Medicine; source: Mr. Dean Charters.
Embossed in glass of inhaler: "MUNYON'S // INHALER // CURES // COLDS CATARRH // AND ALL //THROAT & LUNG // DISEASES"; on fever cure lable: "Induces perspiration: may be // safely administered in all fevers. // Directions: Dissolve 12 pellets // in 20 teaspoonfuls of water; take // a teaspoonful every hour. // Half quantity for children"
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-E3-14
Temporary Location
On exhibit “Quack: The Exhibit that cures all” at Museum of Health Care, 29 June 2017.
James Monroe Munyon’s pompadour hairstyle was a familiar feature of American newspapers around the turn of the 20th century. Having tried his hand at teaching, law, social work, publishing and song-writing, he started his Homoeopathic Home Remedy Company in the early 1890s and hit pay dirt.
In 1897, Munyon opened a London head office and a depot in Liverpool. A massive advertising campaign promised free vials of the remedies and challenged the British public to test his new system of curing disease. Perhaps Munyon anticipated lasting fame in the UK, but he couldn’t have predicted what his company would be remembered for.
From attached circular: "Munyon's Homeopathic Remedies not only preserve health but are a source of economy"; "cures by inhalation"; "It clears every air passage, sweetens the breath, strengthens the nerves, and aids digestion."
There was a separate remedy for every disease. To name but a few, there were…
Munyon’s Kidney Cure, which a 1907 analysis showed to be 100% sugar.
Munyon’s Asthma Cure (sugar and alcohol)
Munyon’s Blood Cure (sugar)
Munyon’s Special Liquid Blood Cure (sugar, potassium iodide and corrosive sublimate)
Munyon’s Catarrh Cure (sodium bicarbonate, salt, borax, phenol and gum)
Munyon’s Special Catarrh Cure (sugar)
Munyon’s Grippe Remedy (sugar and arsenic)
Munyon’s Pile Ointment (a farthing’s worth of soft paraffin).