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: New York

Hart's Swedish Asthma and Hay Fever Cure

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For asthma and hay feverCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For asthma and hay fever
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1904
maker
Hart's Swedish Asthma Cure Company
ID Number
MG.M-10415.02
catalog number
M-10415
accession number
246707

Blair's Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1882
maker
H. Planten and Son
Prout & Harsant
ID Number
1981.0170.036
accession number
1981.0170
catalog number
1981.0170.036

Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Pierce's Proprietaries, Inc.
ID Number
2008.0018.288
catalog number
2008.0018.288
accession number
2008.0018

Warner's Safe Nervine

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For headache, neuralgia, insomnia and nervous prostrationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For headache, neuralgia, insomnia and nervous prostration
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1898
ca 1898
date made
ca 1920
maker
Warner's Safe Remedies Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.55
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707
246707

William R. Warner & Co.'s Original Pill Cascara Cathartic (Dr. Hinkle)

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For the relief of chronic and habitual constipation. Average Dose: 1 or 2 pillsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:
For the relief of chronic and habitual constipation. Average Dose: 1 or 2 pills
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
William R. Warner and Company
ID Number
MG.314016.122
catalog number
314016.122
accession number
314016

Dr. Kilmer's Prompt Parilla Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headache, drowsiness, bad taste in the mouth, torpid liver, constipation, biliousness, nausea, flatulence, belching wind, sour stomach, distress after eating and poor appetiteCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headache, drowsiness, bad taste in the mouth, torpid liver, constipation, biliousness, nausea, flatulence, belching wind, sour stomach, distress after eating and poor appetite
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr. Kilmer and Company
Dr. Kilmer and Company
ID Number
1978.0883.076
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.076

NP-27, for Athlete's Foot and Ringworm, 1 1/2 oz. avoir.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1967
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.047
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.047

Vaporole Aromatic Ammonia, For Use as "Smelling Salts"

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Burroughs Wellcome Company
ID Number
1985.0516.095
catalog number
1985.0516.095
accession number
1985.0516

Caroid and Soda Bircarb Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Invaluable for Indigestion and Dyspepsia especially where there is excessive secretion of acid in the stomach causing "Heart Burn" Eructations, Etc. Etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Invaluable for Indigestion and Dyspepsia especially where there is excessive secretion of acid in the stomach causing "Heart Burn" Eructations, Etc. Etc.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1930
maker
American Ferment Co., Inc.
ID Number
1978.0235.066
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.066

Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription Tablets

For the relief of chronic weaknesses and complaints peculiar to females.Currently not on view
Description
For the relief of chronic weaknesses and complaints peculiar to females.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
World's Dispensary Medical Association
ID Number
1981.0219.093
accession number
1981.0219
catalog number
1981.0219.093

Mentholatum

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An external application to relieve or soothe nervous headache, burns, bruises, muscular rheumatism, nasal catarrh, colds, chapped hands, sunburn, hay fever, insect bites, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An external application to relieve or soothe nervous headache, burns, bruises, muscular rheumatism, nasal catarrh, colds, chapped hands, sunburn, hay fever, insect bites, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
maker
Mentholatum Company
ID Number
1979.0798.148
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.148

Dr. Kilmer's Prompt Parilla Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For headache, drowsiness, bad taste in the mouth, torpid liver, constipation, biliousness, nausea, flatulence, belching of wind, sour stomach, distress after eating, poor appetite, the complexionCurrently not o
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For headache, drowsiness, bad taste in the mouth, torpid liver, constipation, biliousness, nausea, flatulence, belching of wind, sour stomach, distress after eating, poor appetite, the complexion
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Dr. Kilmer and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.02
catalog number
M-10413.02
accession number
246707

Aspirin, 5 Gr, U S P, 100 Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1952
ID Number
1986.0198.130
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.130

Warner's Safe Remedy for the Kidneys and Liver

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
Warner's Safe Remedies Company
ID Number
2008.0018.303
catalog number
2008.0018.303
accession number
2008.0018

Alka-Tone

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: treatment of indigestion, either stomachic or intestinal, with sluggishness of the hepatic functions and constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: treatment of indigestion, either stomachic or intestinal, with sluggishness of the hepatic functions and constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1840-1870
maker
Bristol-Myers Company
ID Number
MG.M-07234
catalog number
M-07234
accession number
220009

Radway's Ready Relief

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
ZZ.RSN83048753

Aspirin Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1935
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1984.0351.196B
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.196B

Mexican Mustang Liniment

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Lyon Manufacturing Company
ID Number
2008.3006.160
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.160

Unguentine with Dianestol, 220 Gr

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.092
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.092

Ridall, 2 1/8 Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.064
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.064

Doctor H H Kanes Buchu

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1900
maker
The American Buchu Company
ID Number
MG.274347.153
catalog number
274347.153
accession number
274347

Celery King Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A delicious and effective laxative. A compound for the bowels.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A delicious and effective laxative. A compound for the bowels.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
S. C. Wells and Company
ID Number
1978.0235.289
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.289

Zinsep Compound Stomach and Ulcer Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Stomach and ulcer remedy; Gas eliminant; Gentle Laxative; Intestinal disorders; Relief of indigestion, nausea, vomiting, sour stomach, gas in stomach and intestinesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Stomach and ulcer remedy; Gas eliminant; Gentle Laxative; Intestinal disorders; Relief of indigestion, nausea, vomiting, sour stomach, gas in stomach and intestines
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Union Pharmacal Company
ID Number
MG.274347.191
catalog number
274347.191
accession number
274347

Ramon's Tabs Aspirin Caffeine

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To help relieve pain and distress resulting from simple headaches, head colds, fatigued muscles, and neuralgic conditions.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To help relieve pain and distress resulting from simple headaches, head colds, fatigued muscles, and neuralgic conditions.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1940
ID Number
1979.0798.323
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.323

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