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.

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.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906-1908
maker
Baltimore Chewing Gum Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1393
catalog number
293320.1392
accession number
293320
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.314016.045
catalog number
314016.045
accession number
314016
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.3006.177
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.177
One of 41 specimens donated to the museum in 1927 by Sharp & Dohme for an exhibition "telling the story of the collection, marketing, and medicinal use of well-known and extensively used drugs." The curator requested examples of official preparations of iron and potassium, and Sh
Description
One of 41 specimens donated to the museum in 1927 by Sharp & Dohme for an exhibition "telling the story of the collection, marketing, and medicinal use of well-known and extensively used drugs." The curator requested examples of official preparations of iron and potassium, and Sharp & Dohme provided 23 specimens of potassium preparations and 18 specimens of an iron preparations.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1927
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.M-02323
catalog number
M-02323
accession number
99602
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2002.0138.028
accession number
2002.0138
catalog number
2002.0138.028
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1982.0350.15
accession number
1982.0350
catalog number
1982.0350.15
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Aspetinol Mfg, Company
ID Number
1978.0235.199
catalog number
1978.0235.199
accession number
1978.0235
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To remove corns in one nightCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To remove corns in one night
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Kohler Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1978.0235.081
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.081
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: CURE OF HEADACHE, NERVOUSNESS, NERVOUS HEADACHE, NEURALGIA, BRAIN FATIGUE, SLEEPLESSNESS, OVER BRAIN-WORK, DEPRESSION, AND MENTAL EXHAUSTIONCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: CURE OF HEADACHE, NERVOUSNESS, NERVOUS HEADACHE, NEURALGIA, BRAIN FATIGUE, SLEEPLESSNESS, OVER BRAIN-WORK, DEPRESSION, AND MENTAL EXHAUSTION
Location
Currently not on view
date made
After 1889
after 1889
maker
Emerson Drug Company
ID Number
2008.3006.143
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.143
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
H. Clarke and Sons
ID Number
2002.0138.023
accession number
2002.0138
catalog number
2002.0138.023
One of 41 specimens donated to the museum in 1927 by Sharp & Dohme for an exhibition "telling the story of the collection, marketing, and medicinal use of well-known and extensively used drugs." The curator requested examples of official preparations of iron and potassium, and Sh
Description
One of 41 specimens donated to the museum in 1927 by Sharp & Dohme for an exhibition "telling the story of the collection, marketing, and medicinal use of well-known and extensively used drugs." The curator requested examples of official preparations of iron and potassium, and Sharp & Dohme provided 23 specimens of potassium preparations and 18 specimens of an iron preparations.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1927
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.M-02320
catalog number
M-02320
accession number
99602
One of 41 specimens donated to the museum in 1927 by Sharp & Dohme for an exhibition "telling the story of the collection, marketing, and medicinal use of well-known and extensively used drugs." The curator requested examples of official preparations of iron and potassium, and Sh
Description
One of 41 specimens donated to the museum in 1927 by Sharp & Dohme for an exhibition "telling the story of the collection, marketing, and medicinal use of well-known and extensively used drugs." The curator requested examples of official preparations of iron and potassium, and Sharp & Dohme provided 23 specimens of potassium preparations and 18 specimens of an iron preparations.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1927
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.M-02324
catalog number
M-02324
accession number
99602
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For head colds. Opens the nasal passages. Makes breathing easier. Soothes irritation. Brings quick relief.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For head colds. Opens the nasal passages. Makes breathing easier. Soothes irritation. Brings quick relief.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Maryland Pharmaceutical Company
ID Number
2012.0165.745
catalog number
2012.0165.745
accession number
2012.0165
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1983.0658.02
accession number
1983.0658
catalog number
1983.0658.02
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
John F. Hancock
ID Number
MG.302607.170
catalog number
302607.170
accession number
302607
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.312608.304.01
accession number
312608
catalog number
312608.304.01
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For all purposes of a familyCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For all purposes of a family
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1879
maker
Vogeler, Meyer and Company
ID Number
1984.0782.032
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.032
One of 41 specimens donated to the museum in 1927 by Sharp & Dohme for an exhibition "telling the story of the collection, marketing, and medicinal use of well-known and extensively used drugs." The curator requested examples of official preparations of iron and potassium, and Sh
Description
One of 41 specimens donated to the museum in 1927 by Sharp & Dohme for an exhibition "telling the story of the collection, marketing, and medicinal use of well-known and extensively used drugs." The curator requested examples of official preparations of iron and potassium, and Sharp & Dohme provided 23 specimens of potassium preparations and 18 specimens of an iron preparations.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1927
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.M-02322
catalog number
M-02322
accession number
99602
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82843X39
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
John F. Hancock & Son
ID Number
MG.314016.104
catalog number
314016.104
accession number
314016
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Long established remedy for quick relief in Headache and Neuralgia.Directions: Throw a powder on the tongue and take a swallow of water.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Long established remedy for quick relief in Headache and Neuralgia.
Directions: Throw a powder on the tongue and take a swallow of water. One powder usually relieves; in obstinate cases, if necessary, repeat by taking one more powder in 20 to 30 minutes. Eat and drink sparingly.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1890
maker
Kohler Manufacturing Company
ID Number
2010.0213.019
accession number
2010.0213
catalog number
2010.0213.019
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890
maker
John F. Hancock
ID Number
MG.302607.171
catalog number
302607.171
accession number
302607
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1980
product expiration date
1981-03
ID Number
1982.0350.11
accession number
1982.0350
catalog number
1982.0350.11
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Carr Owens and Company
ID Number
1982.0513.10
accession number
1982.0513
catalog number
1982.0513.10

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