Burgundy pasteboard box holds rust-coloured pencil-like thermometer holder which holds two thermometers and clips to the pocket; thermometer case has ink stains so assume was used; box lists a family-owned drug company, therefore would have local value as "giveaway promotional item to doctors.
Burgundy pasteboard box holds rust-coloured pencil-like thermometer holder which holds two thermometers and clips to the pocket; thermometer case has ink stains so assume was used; box lists a family-owned drug company, therefore would have local value as "giveaway promotional item to doctors.
Number Of Parts
4
Part Names
a - case bottom - Size: Length 8.5 cm. x Diameter 1.3 cm.
b - case top (a+b = 12.0) - Size: Length 4.7 cm. x Diameter 1.5 cm.
c - thermometer stubby - Size: Length 10.2 cm. x Diameter 0.5 cm.
d - thermometer 1/2 minute - Size: Length 10.2 cm. x Diameter 0.5 cm.
e - box - Size: Length 12.6 cm. x Width 2.2 cm. x Depth 2.2 cm.
Valuator Dr. J. R. Scott: must be pre-1939 as the box says made in Germany (not East or West as it was after 1945)
Material
(a-b) plastic: rust
(c-d) glass, mercury: clear; white; red; black
(e) pasteboard, paper: burgundy; yellow; white
Inscriptions
Printed in gold on box top: "With the Season's Greetings. // From // N. C. POLSON & CO. LIMITED // Montreal, / December 1929 [illeg]"; stamped in purple ink under bottom: "Made in Germany"; printed in red on "Stubby": "428 Cardinal Stubby USA = (92° - 110°)"; printed in black on 1/2 minute: "b237 Max. 1/2 Minute "MIRA" 2006 D® b. 29 Germany (94° - 110° F.)"
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-F4-4
Condition Remarks
# 1: (a-b) have ink stains; (e) shows wear along edges; # 2: no damage
Research Facts
After having studied at Queen’s University, Neil C. Polson established a drug business in Kingston in 1877. N.C. Polson & Co. became widely known across North America as a druggist and chemical manufacturer. One of their products, Catarrhozone, was widely advertised as an inhaled germ-killer and remedy for all respiratory ailments. The Vapor treatment was meant to be dropped onto a small piece of wool held inside the portable wood inhaler, then inhaled periodically through the mouth.
Their trade covered Canada, the U.S. and the West Indies.
The firm was established by Neil Polson Sr. in 1877, owned a wholesale drug and manufacturing chemist house in Kingston, Ontario. and was taken over by his two sons, Neil Jr. and Henry. They made medicines under the name of Polson Co., the Catarrhozone and Nerviline. Polson went on to become mayor of Kingston in 1893.
Exhibit History
To display in Museum: Potions, Pills and Prescriptions; May 1, 2000 - 28 Jan 2017.