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.

Useful in the treatment of cuts, bruises, fever, sores, burns, scalds and minor irritations of the skin and scalp.Currently not on view
Description
Useful in the treatment of cuts, bruises, fever, sores, burns, scalds and minor irritations of the skin and scalp.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930
maker
Pfeiffer Chemical Company
ID Number
1981.0219.064
accession number
1981.0219
catalog number
1981.0219.064
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for the relief of pain due to simple headache, simple neuralgia, muscular aches and pains and headaches accompanying head cold.Directions: Place powder on tongue and follow with water or stir in small g
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for the relief of pain due to simple headache, simple neuralgia, muscular aches and pains and headaches accompanying head cold.
Directions: Place powder on tongue and follow with water or stir in small glass of water and swallow.
Dosage: One powder. May be repeated in 3 or 4 hours. Do not take more than three powders in any 24 hour period. Children under 12, only as directed by physician.
Caution: Do not take more than dosage recommended or take regularly for more than ten days without consulting your physician. When used in large amounts and for a long period of time it may be injurious to kidneys. Keep this and all medicine out of reach of children.
Location
Currently not on view
trademark registration date (Goody's "They Are Good")
1936-10-13
maker
Goody's
ID Number
2008.0018.059
catalog number
2008.0018.059
accession number
2008.0018
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1932
maker
Blackburn Products Company
ID Number
AG.P73.2759.14
catalog number
P73.2759.14
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Antacid Alkalizer. Effective in relieving acid-indigention, gas, heartburn, sourness, and nausea.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Antacid Alkalizer. Effective in relieving acid-indigention, gas, heartburn, sourness, and nausea.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
post 1938
1938-1955
maker
BiSoDol Company
ID Number
2008.0018.007
catalog number
2008.0018.007
accession number
2008.0018
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Indicated as a Sedative for Simple Nervousness, Simple Neuralgia, Restlesness, Minor Headaches and Common Sea, Train, Auto and Airplane Sickness.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Indicated as a Sedative for Simple Nervousness, Simple Neuralgia, Restlesness, Minor Headaches and Common Sea, Train, Auto and Airplane Sickness. It is also useful as an aid to other treatment for Tobacco and Alcohol excess.;
Is recommended for use in the following ailments: Epilepsy and Hysteria, Nervousness, Sleeplessness, Neuralgia, Nervous Dyspepsia, and Nervous Irritation. nervous Headache and other Nervous Disturbances. Nervine is also useful as an aid to other treatment for Tobacco and Alcoholic Excess
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1938
ca. 1938
distributor
Oakland Laboratories
referenced
Miles Laboratories
maker
Oakland Laboratories
ID Number
ZZ.RSN83048760
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
maker
Stuart, F. A.
ID Number
2008.0018.164
catalog number
2008.0018.164
accession number
2008.0018
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1933
maker
Mansfield Drug Company
ID Number
2008.0018.146
catalog number
2008.0018.146
accession number
2008.0018
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains, periodic pains, simple nervousnessCurrently 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, periodic pains, simple nervousness
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
1978.0883.231.F
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.231.F
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.A
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.231A
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:To build up the vital organs, the defects of which are the cause of diabetes, burger [Buerger's disease], liver and kidney troubles.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
To build up the vital organs, the defects of which are the cause of diabetes, burger [Buerger's disease], liver and kidney troubles.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
After 1906
date made
ca 1940s
ca 1930s
maker
Dailey's Laboratories
Dailey's Laboratories
ID Number
MG.274347.228
catalog number
274347.228
accession number
274347
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920s-1930s
ID Number
1979.1144.067
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.067
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains, periodic pains, simple nervousnessCurrently 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, periodic pains, simple nervousness
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
1978.0883.231.D
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.231D
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
maker
Meyers, Charles
ID Number
2008.0018.073
catalog number
2008.0018.073
accession number
2008.0018
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1938
circa 1920
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
2008.0018.024
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.024
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the relief of simple headache, simple neuralgia and the discomforts arising from head colds and minor pains.Dose: 1 powder, repeat in half hour if not relieved.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the relief of simple headache, simple neuralgia and the discomforts arising from head colds and minor pains.
Dose: 1 powder, repeat in half hour if not relieved.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1927-1930s
maker
Orangeine Chemical Company, Inc.
ID Number
2012.0165.026
catalog number
2012.0165.026
accession number
2012.0165
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1938
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.027
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.027
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: laxative
Location
Currently not on view
date made
circa 1930
maker
Davis & Lawrence Company
ID Number
2008.0018.018
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.018
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains, periodic pains, simple nervousnessCurrently 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, periodic pains, simple nervousness
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
1978.0883.231.K
catalog number
1978.0883.231.K
accession number
1978.0883
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: anti-bilious granulesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: anti-bilious granules
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906 - 1938
1906-1938
maker
World's Dispensary Medical Association
ID Number
2008.0018.042
catalog number
2008.0018.042
accession number
2008.0018
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A valuable application for weak and inflamed eyes, inflamed and granulated lids. Antiseptic and Soothing.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A valuable application for weak and inflamed eyes, inflamed and granulated lids. Antiseptic and Soothing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906-1938
maker
Daso, Dik
ID Number
MG.274347.268
catalog number
274347.268
accession number
274347
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
trademark registration date (Goody's "They Are Good")
1936-10-13
maker
Goody's
ID Number
MG.302607.122.03
accession number
302607
catalog number
302607.122.03
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An antiseptic surgical dressing for sunburn, cuts, chaps, wounds, itching, stings, etc. Soothes and aids healing.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An antiseptic surgical dressing for sunburn, cuts, chaps, wounds, itching, stings, etc. Soothes and aids healing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1934
maker
Grove Laboratories
ID Number
2012.0165.734
catalog number
2012.0165.734
accession number
2012.0165
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1914 - 1938
1914-1938
maker
Charles E. Frosst and Company
ID Number
2008.0018.001
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.001

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