The greatest discovory [sic] for suffers of catarrh, Hay fever, Asthma is Mayers’ Magnetic Catarrh Cure. Its wonderful cures since its discoveay [sic] are known to thousands.
This grand medicine will positively cure all forms of these terrible diseases.
It accomplishes what no other remedy has done. So simple a child can use it. No cure no pay. One bottle will do the work and lasts for a three months treatment. Entirely new, no other remedy like it. This is what the eminent Dr. Henry Carrington Alexander, D. D., L. L. D., has to say of its marvelous cure.
The Mayers Drug Co., Oakland, Md.
Gentlemen:–Ever since I have tried your famous catarrh remedy I have intended to give you a voluntary testimonial of its efficiency. I have been a sufferer for years from nasal and post nasal catarrh, and the bone in my nose has been visibly changed in its shape.
After a trial of all manner of good and indifferent recipes, I have no hesitation in pronouncing your Magnetic Catarrh Cure the best, the speediest and most effectual remedy I have yet encountered. I wish and predict your success in the effort to demonstrate the value of your neat device in the way of a truly scientific and meritorious inhalant. You have made me your everlasting debtor.
I am my dear sirs,
Yours faithfully,
Henry Carrington Alexander.
Sept. 12th, 1893.
This advertisment is typical for the turn of the century. Grand claims and a testimonial by an eminent personage laid out in text form with minimal proofreading.
The Mayers Drug Company is listed in the Maryland archives’ 1908 Annual Report of the Comptroller. There are also a couple of references to their bottles. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen anything else by this company — and so have no idea when it folded or what happened to its Magnetic Cure.
Actually, I have no idea what form the “cure” takes. I thought originally that it was something one drank, but according to Dr Alexander, it seems one inhales it. Perhaps it’s a precursor to Zicam™?
Dr Alexander is known only on the web for the biography he wrote of his uncle Joseph Addison Alexander, former professor at Princeton.