Balm of America: Patent Medicine Collection

Balm of America Banner image, a collection of medicine

About the Collection
The Smithsonian Institution began to collect objects related to health and medicine in 1881. It first obtained examples of patent medicines in 1930, acquiring packages of Haarlem Oil (or Dutch Drops), Dr. John Hooper’s Female Pills, and Roche’s Herbal Embrocation. Since then the Smithsonian’s collection of patent medicines has expanded to over 4,000 products, dating from the 19th century to the present day.

About this Object Group
This group of objects features examples from this collection, found in the Division of Medicine and Science at the National Museum of American History. Each entry includes a photo of the object, the product’s name, maker’s name, place of manufacture, and a date range. Ingredients and therapeutic claims are included when indicated on the product packaging.

Browse
Browse the collection by therapeutic category. You can also use the keyword search (at right) which searches all fields of information.

More Information
Learn more about patent medicine history and how this history is revealed in examples from our collection. Questions or comments? Contact us.

Bateman's Drops

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-11468.02
catalog number
M-11468.02
accession number
260557

Lydia E. Pinkam's Pills for Constipation

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81550G35

Enerjets Stimulant

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Restores mental alertness and wakefulness when experiencing fatigue or drowsiness.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Restores mental alertness and wakefulness when experiencing fatigue or drowsiness.
Date made
c. 1980
maker
Chilton Labs, Inc.
ID Number
2004.0129.68
accession number
2004.0129
catalog number
2004.0129.68

Respeez Medicated Spray

ID Number
1993.0384.033
catalog number
1993.0384.033
accession number
1993.0384

Turlington's Balsam of Life

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1982.0513.04
accession number
1982.0513
catalog number
1982.0513.04

Taylor's Royal Brand Green Seal Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
ZZ.RSN80837X02

Gieher Spencer Pills

ID Number
1984.0782.190
accession number
1984.0782

Ramon's Laxative Cold Tablets

ID Number
ZZ.RSN81522N00

Ayres Diarrhoea Cure

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.292320.1175
accession number
292320
catalog number
292320.1175

Tod'co Styptic Pencil

ID Number
ZZ.RSN81512R05

Chamberlain's Cough Remedy

Date made
1908-1918
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10768 [dup26]
catalog number
M-10768
accession number
256193

Dr. Lynas' Vegetable Compound

Date made
c. 1910s
maker
Dr. J.B. Lynas & Son
ID Number
1986.0873.33
catalog number
1986.0873.33
accession number
1986.0873

Prescription 1000 External

maker
Reese Chemical Company
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81508V03

Munyon's Paw-Paw Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-12145
catalog number
M-12145
accession number
274347

Kaz Mist

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Kaz, Inc.
ID Number
1985.0475.455
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.455

Turlington's Balsam of Life

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1982.0513.06
accession number
1982.0513
catalog number
1982.0513.06

Ramon's Laxative Cold Tablets

ID Number
ZZ.RSN81522N01

Blackstones Quinine Cold Tablets

maker
Tru-Lax Manufacturing Company
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81522V00

Dr Wood's Compound Syrup of Tar

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-10242.03
catalog number
M-10242.03
accession number
241520

Dr Wood's Compound Syrup of Tar

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-10242.04
catalog number
M-10242.04
accession number
241520

Requa's Charcoal Tablets

ID Number
ZZ.RSN82861T47

Turlington's Balsam of Life

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1982.0513.03
accession number
1982.0513
catalog number
1982.0513.02

Turner's Little Liver Turners

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-121240
catalog number
M-121240
M-121240

Squaw Vine

ID Number
1978.0235.070
catalog number
1978.0235.070
accession number
1978.0235

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