Catarrh Snuff
Catarrh Snuff
Snuff was actually in use as early as the 1600’s. It was usually in powdered form and mixed with various scents and flavors such as cinnamon and lavender. It was used recreationally but also used medicinally dur to its capability to help clear the sinus cavities. In the 1830’s a Dr. Benjamin Marshall (from New York) began to market this product as a cure all for, phlegm (also known as catarrh), throat issues and lung diseases and headaches. I was amused to see that it was noted in one place that it was NOT intended to cure ‘wrong headedness’. The product became more popular as the century progressed with this product attaining and maintaining popularity through the 1870’s to 1900.
I have found references to a few makers of catarrh snuff. One was the aforementioned Dr. Benjamin Marshall. An advertisement for the product in the publication The Adams Centinel (June 6, 1865) reads:
“ Dr. Marshall’s Catarrh Snuff”
This snuff has thoroughly proved itself to be the best article known for curing the Catarrh, Cold in the Head and Headache. It has been found an excellent remedy in many cases of Sore Eyes, Deafness has been removed by it, and hearing has often been greatly improved by its use.
It is fragrant and agreeable, and given immediate relief to the dull heavy pains caused by diseases of the head. The sensations after using it are delightful and invigorating. It opens and purges out all obstructions, strengthens the glands and gives a healthy action to the parts affects. More than thirty years of sale and use of Dr. Marshall’s Catarrh and Headache Snuff has proved is great value for all the common diseases of the head, and at this moment stands higher than ever before.
IT is recommended by many of the best physicians, and is used with great success and satisfaction everywhere. Read the certificates of wholesale Druggists in 1864.
The undesigned having for many years been acquainted with Dr. Marshall’s Catarrh and Headache Snuff, and sold it in our wholesale trade, cheerfully state, that we believe it to be the equal, in every respect, to the recommendations give of it for th cure of Catarrh Affections, and that it is decidedly the best article we have ever known for all common diseases of the head.
Burr&Perry, Reed, Auston&Co., Brown, Lamson & Co., Reed, Cutter & Co., Seth w. Fowle, Wilson, Fairbank & Co., Henshaw, Edmand & Co., New York: II. II. Hay, Porterland, Main; Barnes & Park, A. B. & D. Sands, Stephen Paul & Co., Israel Minor & Co., Mckesson & Robbins, A.L. Scovil & Co., M. War, Close & Co., Bush & gale, New York.
For Sale by all Druggists. Try it.
Dr. Kellogg also had a catarrh snuff product. His label read as follows:
Quote from Label "DR. KELLOGG'S // CATARRH SNUFF // PREPARED BY // NORTHROP & LYMAN // PRICE, TWENTY-FIVE CENTS // This SNUFF is the best article // known for the cure of Catarrh, // cold in the Head, Headache, Sore // eyes, and all affections of the // Head. // It removes all obstructions, strength- // ens the Glands, and gives a healthy ac- // tion to the parts affected. Use the same // as common snuff, 4 to 6 times a day, // None Genuine unless signed, Northrop & Lyman";
Bottle purchased at Harpers Ferry Flea market for $3 roughly 2010. Recent prices found online: Dr. Marshall’s Catarrh Snuff bottle on sale on Etsy 4/22/2021 $20
Doct Marshall Catarrh Snuff Bottle