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.

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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.

Place: Illinois

Foley Family Pills for Constipation

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.071
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.071

Dr. W. B. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and conditions resulting from it.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and conditions resulting from it. Owing to its mild action and pleasant taste the ideal laxative for children, women and old folks, and all those who cannot stand a harsh purgative.
A pleasant laxative compound composed of drugs known to be beneficial when an evacuant is indicated, acting gently on the bowels as a flushing agent to relieve conditions due to constipation. Disturbances arising from sluggish bowels may be helped by its use.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup38]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

DeWitt's D. & C. Expectorant

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs due to colds, and soothing for minor bronchial and throat irritations caused by colds.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs due to colds, and soothing for minor bronchial and throat irritations caused by colds.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1940
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.080
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.080

Crane's Quinine and Tar Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:An Expectorant for Coughs, Colds, Hoarseness, Tickling in throat, Bronchial Coughs, and Coughs resulting from La Grippe.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:
An Expectorant for Coughs, Colds, Hoarseness, Tickling in throat, Bronchial Coughs, and Coughs resulting from La Grippe.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1975
before 1975
before 1975
before 1975
1908-1918
maker
Crane Medicine Co.
ID Number
MG.314016.068
catalog number
314016.68
accession number
314016

King's Discovery

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungs.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungs.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
H.E. Bucklen and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1229
catalog number
293320.1229
accession number
293320

Dr. Caldwell's Improved Prescription Powders

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and painsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
1978.0883.231.B
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.231.B

Partola Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An aid to good health. Candy laxative and internal antiseptic.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An aid to good health. Candy laxative and internal antiseptic.
Date made
after 1923
copyright date (on packaging)
1919
maker
Partola Products Co.
ID Number
1979.0798.408
catalog number
1979.0798.408
accession number
1979.0798

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup27]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Dr Pierre's Boro-Pheno-Form

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:An inhibitory antiseptic for vaginal useCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
An inhibitory antiseptic for vaginal use
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1915
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Dr. Pierre Chemical Co.
ID Number
1984.0351.055
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.055

K. & M. Effervescent Bromo Caffeine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1920 before 1938
maker
Keasbey & Mattison Company
ID Number
1978.0883.011.F
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.011.F

Hamlin's Wizard Oil

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Cures all aches, pains, swellings, soreness, and inflammation from whatever cause.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Cures all aches, pains, swellings, soreness, and inflammation from whatever cause. For rhuematism, neuralgia, lame back, sprains, bruises, contracted cords and muscles, cuts, wounds, old sores, sore throat, diphtheria, headache, toothache, croup, cramps, colic, diorrhoea, chlorea morbus, burns, scalds, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1900
maker
Hamlin's Wizard Oil Company
ID Number
2004.3012.06
nonaccession number
2004.3012
catalog number
2004.3012.06

Dewitt's Baby Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: For infants' and children's coughs due to coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: For infants' and children's coughs due to colds
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1950
Associated Name
Tupper's Pharmacy
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1980.0698.046
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.046

Dr. E.C. West's Red Label Nerve and Brain Treatment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Loss of power; loss of manhood; sterilityor barrennessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Loss of power; loss of manhood; sterilityor barrenness
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1870 - 1906
maker
John C. West Chemical Company
ID Number
MG.M-12151.14
catalog number
M-12151
accession number
271464

Cascarets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the cure of chronic constipation. Liver stimulant, strengthen the bowels, make pure blood.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the cure of chronic constipation. Liver stimulant, strengthen the bowels, make pure blood.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Sterling Remedy Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1201
catalog number
293320.1201
accession number
293320

Dr. Peter's Lozogo

Embossed clear glass bottle with green metal screw cap and a white paper label with green print. "A time-proven family medicine compounded of foreign and domestic herbs and botanicals." 18 fluid ounces. Bottle is 3/4 full of dark brown liquid.
Description
Embossed clear glass bottle with green metal screw cap and a white paper label with green print. "A time-proven family medicine compounded of foreign and domestic herbs and botanicals." 18 fluid ounces. Bottle is 3/4 full of dark brown liquid. Price $1.50.
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Laxative. Stomachic. Carminative. For relief from functional constipation, and, when these troubles are due to constipation, for relief from nervousness, indigestion, upset stomach, headaches, loss of sleep and appetite, flatulence, foul breath and coated tongue. It creates a feeling of warmth in the stomach. It helps expel gas from the stomach and intestines...[label cut off]
In 1892, the manufacturer Peter Fahrney patented a special design for a bottle or flask.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1922
trademark registration date (Dr. Peter's Lozogo)
1922-08-01
maker
Dr. Peter Fahrney and Sons Company
ID Number
1979.0798.023
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.023

DeWitt's Catarrhal Cream

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For nasal catarrh, cold in the head and inflammation of the nasal passages. Cleansing, antiseptic and germicidal.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For nasal catarrh, cold in the head and inflammation of the nasal passages. Cleansing, antiseptic and germicidal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920s
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.042
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.042

Foley Cathartic Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For disorders of the stomach, liver, and bowels caused by constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For disorders of the stomach, liver, and bowels caused by constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.29
catalog number
M-10413.29
accession number
246707

Dr. Caldwell Pine Balm

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1935
product launch date
1933
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
MG.274347.278
catalog number
274347.278
M-12141
accession number
274347

Dr. King's New Life Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and biliounessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and biliouness
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908 - 1918
1908-1918
maker
H. E. Bucklen & Co.
ID Number
2008.0018.037
catalog number
2008.0018.037
accession number
2008.0018

Viosterol in Oil, 20 Cc (Abbott's)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Abbott Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.216
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.216

Cascasweet

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup36]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Foley Family Pills for Constipation

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.070
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.070

Traxo

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A stomachicCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A stomachic
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1943
maker
Pinus Medicine Company
ID Number
1979.0798.114
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.114

Dr. W. B. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
2008.3006.118
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.118

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