Hollow cylindrical black Bakelite or wood inhaler which consists of a central section which is wider at the middle than the ends; both ends have screw on / off attachments; one is rounded and plugs one end, the other is hollow and cylindrical and has screw attachments at both ends; one end attaches…
Hollow cylindrical black Bakelite or wood inhaler which consists of a central section which is wider at the middle than the ends; both ends have screw on / off attachments; one is rounded and plugs one end, the other is hollow and cylindrical and has screw attachments at both ends; one end attaches to the central section and the other to a rounded piece which screws on and plugs the other end; the central section has engraved words on it.
Number Of Parts
4
Part Names
Size: Length 10.8 cm. x Diam. 2.0 cm.
Provenance
Acquired by Dr. M. Chiong for his patent medicine collection.
Central section engraved with, "CATARRHOZONE // N. C. POLSON & CO. // KINGSTON, CANADA"
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-A2-5 Row A
Condition Remarks
The outer finish on the lower part of the central section has minor damage; the screw threads on the attachment to the upper section of the central piece have been damaged; all screw on / offsections will come on and off easily
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Document
Reference Comments
There are three binders of information on the N.C. Polson Company (The Catarrhozone Co.) with Dr. Chiong's written records, including advertisements for inhalers
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.