Balm of America: Patent Medicine Collection

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.

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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.

Brown and gold-colored tin with hinged lid and decorative motif on sides and borders. Tin is empty. Original contents: one grain capsules of Glycogen. Probably imported from France by E.
Description
Brown and gold-colored tin with hinged lid and decorative motif on sides and borders. Tin is empty. Original contents: one grain capsules of Glycogen. Probably imported from France by E. Fougera and Company of New York.
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: In tuberculosis, typhoid fever, scarlatina, furunculosis [infection of the hair follicle], diphtheria, influenza, in neurasthenic conditions, weak heart, migraine, morphinism, tobaccoism, etc.
Antitoxic and distinctly bactericidal, stimulating the natural resistance of the organism to pathogenic invasions.
In the early 1900s, French doctor, Jacques de Nittis, introduced the therapeutic use of glycogen, a naturally occuring substance which stores carbohydrates in the body. The substance was thought to help increase the production of white blood cells and thus help the body fight off infection. It was also employed in wasting conditions such as those brought on by cancer, tuberculosis, and diabetes, to help rebuild strenghth and weight.
SEE: de Nittis, Jacques, "Glycogen, A Therapeutic Aid (Translated from the Tribune Medicale, April 2, 1904.)" in Southern Medicine, Volume 11, No. 3, September, 1904, pp 11-12.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1905
maker
E. Fougera and Company
ID Number
2019.0068.01
catalog number
2019.0068.01
accession number
2019.0068
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-11460.02
catalog number
M-11460.02
accession number
260557
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.07
catalog number
M-06892.07
accession number
210760
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.11
catalog number
M-06892.11
accession number
210760
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1955-1960
maker
Cot-N-Chips Company
ID Number
1985.0481.036
catalog number
1985.0481.36
accession number
1985.0481
1985.0481
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Healing, soothing, cooling, non-irritating and cleansing for the eyesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Healing, soothing, cooling, non-irritating and cleansing for the eyes
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Valma's Drug Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1185
catalog number
293320.1185
accession number
293320
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Kiehl's Inc.
ID Number
1981.0589.033
accession number
1981.0589
catalog number
1981.0589.033
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A laxative pillCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A laxative pill
Location
Currently not on view
maker
E. Fougera and Company
ID Number
2009.0097.14
accession number
2009.0097
catalog number
2009.0097.14
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.05
catalog number
M-06892.05
accession number
210760
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr. C. I. Shoop
ID Number
MG.M-11460.01
catalog number
M-11460.01
accession number
260557
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.04
catalog number
M-06892.04
accession number
210760
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0481.341
catalog number
1985.0481.341
accession number
1985.0481
This object is one of over 700 medically related objects used on the set of the television show M*A*S*H.
Description
This object is one of over 700 medically related objects used on the set of the television show M*A*S*H. Most of these items are authentic medical instruments, supplies, and equipment from the 1950s.
M*A*S*H was an award-winning television show based on the bestselling novel and Oscar winning motion picture film of the same title. It portrayed the lives of doctors and nurses assigned to a fictitious medical unit, the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, based in Uijeongbu, Korea during the 1950-1953 war. The program was initially broadcast from September 17, 1972 to February 28, 1983.
After the show ended in 1983, Twentieth Century Fox donated material from the two major sets, the “Swamp” and the “Operating Theater,” to the museum, along with scripts, photographs, and interviews with individuals who served in MASH units in Korea and Vietnam. See accessions 1983.0095, 1985.0335, 1988.0748, 1988.3163, and archival collection NMAH.AC.0117, for further MASH material.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0252.420
catalog number
1985.0252.420
accession number
1985.0252
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
E.W. Rose Co.
ID Number
MG.M-10446.02
catalog number
M-10446
accession number
251551
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.03
catalog number
M-06892.03
accession number
210760
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Bickmore Company
ID Number
1985.0481.020
catalog number
1985.0481.020
accession number
1985.0481
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-11460.04
accession number
260557
catalog number
M-11460
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
distributor
Procter & Gamble Company
maker
Procter & Gamble Company
ID Number
1998.0102.24
catalog number
1998.0102.24
accession number
1998.0102
Three (3) brown glass bottles with cork stoppers. Bottles are wrapped in green and red patterned paper with a green, red, and white paper label on the front side.
Description
Three (3) brown glass bottles with cork stoppers. Bottles are wrapped in green and red patterned paper with a green, red, and white paper label on the front side. The top of the wrapper is torn off on all three specimens revealing the top of the bottle inside and part of the paper insert which is wrapped around each bottle. One bottle has a red, white, and blue shield-shaped paper seal on the back: "U. S. Customs / Panama Pacific International Exhibition / Exhibit / Serial No. 1697 / case No. P A 3 / Lot No. 18 bottles"
Indications: Cardio-vascular and chronic respiratory diseases, scrofula, lymphatism, obesity, and in all cases requiring the use of ieither iodine or iodides, especially when these disagree with the patient. [1917 advert. The Lancet]
Dose: 2 to 6 pearls (capsules) per day, to be taken after eating
Maker: Pharmacie Astier, 72 Avenue Kleber, Paris.
Riodine, chemical formula (C18-H33-O3-1H)3-C3-H5, is an organic derivative of iodine.
This item is part of a collection of pharmaceutical products exhibited by the French companies, Astier Pharmacie and Clin et Cie., at the Panama–Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco, California, in 1915. Following the close of exhibition, the objects were donated to the Smithsonian by the French Commission to the exposition.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
maker
Phamacie Astier
ID Number
MG.59672.03
accession number
59672
catalog number
59672.03
Five (5) glass bottles wrapped in green and red patterned paper with a blue, red, and white paper label on the front side. Four of the bottles are sealed with a blue paper label "ARHEOL" on top.
Description
Five (5) glass bottles wrapped in green and red patterned paper with a blue, red, and white paper label on the front side. Four of the bottles are sealed with a blue paper label "ARHEOL" on top. Indications: Gonorrhee, Cystite, Catarrhe vesical [gonorrhea, cystitis, vesical catarrh]. Dose: 10 to 12 capsules per day. Arheol, chemical formula C15-H26-O, active principle of sandalwood oil.
Vente en Gros / 72, Avenue Kleber, Paris / (Marque Deposee)
This item is part of a collection of pharmaceutical products exhibited by the French companies, Astier Pharmacie and Clin et Cie., at the Panama–Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco, California, in 1915. Following the close of exhibition, the objects were donated to the Smithsonian by the French Commission to the exposition.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Phamacie Astier
ID Number
MG.59672.07
accession number
59672
catalog number
59672.07
Cylindrical glass bottle with metal screw-on cap and paper, wrap-around labels. Label on neck of bottle is blue with black print, and has images of medals awarded. Main label is brown with black and red print.
Description
Cylindrical glass bottle with metal screw-on cap and paper, wrap-around labels. Label on neck of bottle is blue with black print, and has images of medals awarded. Main label is brown with black and red print. Bottle is full of contents / unopened.
Maker: Pharmacie Astier, 72 Avenue Kleber, Paris
Dose/Directions: Deux Cuillerees a Cafe par jour dans du vin ou dans tout autre liquide aqueux (Two teaspoons per day in wine or any other aqueous liquid)
Indications per label: aliment d'epargne; anti-neurasthenique; regulator du coeur; excitant du systeme musculare (anti-neurasthenic; heart regulator; muscular system stimulant)
This item is part of a collection of pharmaceutical products exhibited by the French companies, Astier Pharmacie and Clin et Cie., at the Panama–Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco, California, in 1915. Following the close of exhibition, the objects were donated to the Smithsonian by the French Commission to the exposition.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1900
maker
Phamacie Astier
ID Number
MG.59672.12
maker number
341184
accession number
59672
catalog number
59672.12
Six (6) red paper-covered cardboard boxes with hinged lids and white, black and blue label on top. Boxes contain (6) 5cc glass ampules nested in cotton or wool. Three boxes have an outer paper wrapping and are sealed.
Description
Six (6) red paper-covered cardboard boxes with hinged lids and white, black and blue label on top. Boxes contain (6) 5cc glass ampules nested in cotton or wool. Three boxes have an outer paper wrapping and are sealed. Maker: Laboratoires Clin; Clin & Cie., Comar & Cie., 20, Rue des Fosses St. Jacques, France. Indications: Cancer, Tuberculosis, Infectious diseases (1914 advert., BMJ)
Uses mentioned in medical journals: (1914) used in the treatment of fever in tuberculosis; (1920 Yearbook of the APhA) used as an injection in the treatment of sarcoma and carcinoma.
This item is part of a collection of pharmaceutical products exhibited by the French companies, Astier Pharmacie and Clin et Cie., at the Panama–Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco, California, in 1915. Following the close of exhibition, the objects were donated to the Smithsonian by the French Commission to the exposition.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.59672.15
accession number
59672
catalog number
59672.15
Six (6) red paper-covered cardboard boxes with hinged lids and white, black and red label on top. Boxes contain (6) 5cc glass ampules nested in cotton or wool. Two boxes have an outer paper wrapping and are sealed. Maker: Laboratoires Clin; Clin & Cie.
Description
Six (6) red paper-covered cardboard boxes with hinged lids and white, black and red label on top. Boxes contain (6) 5cc glass ampules nested in cotton or wool. Two boxes have an outer paper wrapping and are sealed. Maker: Laboratoires Clin; Clin & Cie. - Comar & Cie., 20, Rue des Fosses St. Jacques, France. Therapeuitc Indications: All infectious diseases and in particular: pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, measles, variola, puerperal septicaemia, scarlatina, cholera, Malta fever, acute meningitis. Local applications: mammary abscess, epididymitis and orchitis [infections in testicles], whitlow [infection of the finger tip], furunculosis [infection of hair follicle, boil]. (1914 ad, BMJ);
Indications, 1915, New and Unofficial: claimed to be antiseptic and germicidal and non-irritating even when injected hypodermically or intravenously. It is also said to be useful when applied locally in inflammatory conditions, and it has been used in surgical cases.
This item is part of a collection of pharmaceutical products exhibited by the French companies, Astier Pharmacie and Clin et Cie., at the Panama–Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco, California, in 1915. Following the close of exhibition, the objects were donated to the Smithsonian by the French Commission to the exposition.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.59672.14
accession number
59672
catalog number
59672.14
Glass bottle of granules with a metal screw-on cap, a printed paper insert wrapped around the bottle, and an outer paper wrapper over all. Label in French. Red, white and blue shield-shaped paper seal on package: "U. S.
Description
Glass bottle of granules with a metal screw-on cap, a printed paper insert wrapped around the bottle, and an outer paper wrapper over all. Label in French. Red, white and blue shield-shaped paper seal on package: "U. S. Customs / Panama Pacific International Exhibition / Exhibit / Serial No. 1697 / case No. P A 3 / Lot No. 12 bottles"
This item is part of a collection of pharmaceutical products exhibited by the French companies, Astier Pharmacie and Clin et Cie., at the Panama–Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco, California, in 1915. Following the close of exhibition, the objects were donated to the Smithsonian by the French Commission to the exposition.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Phamacie Astier
ID Number
MG.59672.13
accession number
59672
catalog number
59672.13

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