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.

Phillips' Phospho-Muriate of Quinine

maker
Chas H. Philips Chemical Company
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81508V04

Indian Herbs Tablets

ID Number
ZZ.RSN81522V59

K-Y Lubricating Jelly

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Johnson and Johnson
ID Number
MG.314016.006
catalog number
314016.006

Wakefield's Vegetable Cathartic Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: These Pills are unsurpassed as a thorough and active anti-bilious remedy in all acute attacks.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: These Pills are unsurpassed as a thorough and active anti-bilious remedy in all acute attacks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
pre-1906
maker
Dr. C. Wakefield and Company
ID Number
MG.274347.265
catalog number
274347.265
accession number
274347
catalog number
M-12140

Mason's Health Defenders

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.313462.048.2
catalog number
313462.48
accession number
313462

Unguentine Aerosol for Sunburn, 5 Oz

date made
1969-1982
maker
Morton - Norwich Products
ID Number
1986.0198.081
accession number
1986.0198

Su-Ton, Geriatric Supplement and Cerebral Stimulant

maker
Rucker Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1985.0475.742
catalog number
1985.0475.742
accession number
1985.0475
1985.0475

Magnespirin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
ZZ.RSN83148O08

Blackstone's Imitation Lemon Flavor

ID Number
ZZ.RSN81522N27

BC Headache and Neuralgia Powders

maker
B.C. Remedy Company
ID Number
1979.1144.041
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.041

Simmon's Liver Purifier

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-12140 [dup26]
catalog number
M-12140
accession number
274347

Sparce

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81569E01

Lea's Hair Tonic

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81515V02

Blackstones Quinine Cold Tablets

maker
Tru-Lax Manufacturing Company
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81522V01

Donovan's Solution

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.141786
catalog number
141786

Dr Shreves' S and L Pills

ID Number
AG.P73.2759.10
catalog number
P73.2759.10

Jayne's Tonic Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81550G48

Schenck's Mandrake Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr. J. H. Schenck & Son
ID Number
MG.M-10903.112
catalog number
M-10903.112
accession number
259201

Kinsman's Asthmatic Powder

maker
Capital Drug Co., Inc.
ID Number
1985.0481.079
catalog number
1985.0481.079
accession number
1985.0481

St. Joseph Genuine Pure Aspirin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Plough, Inc.
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81535V72

Dr Benj Godfrey's Cordial

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1900
maker
Dr. Benj Godfrey
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81533G56

Dr Hand's Plesant Physic

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81533G15

Taylor's Bromo-Aspirin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1982.0492.02
accession number
1982.0492
catalog number
1982.0492.02

Haarlem Oil

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81530G34

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