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.

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: useful in ringworm, itch, chronic scaly eczemaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: useful in ringworm, itch, chronic scaly eczema
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1917
maker
Kickapoo Indian Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.3193
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.3193
Brown cardboard box with black print label: "The Standard Healing Salve / Panacea /Ointment / Prepared By / Luyties Pharmacal Company / St. Louis, MO.", and a round paper label on the back. Box contains a gold-colored ointment tin with embossed top: LUYTIES / PANACEA / ST.
Description
Brown cardboard box with black print label: "The Standard Healing Salve / Panacea /Ointment / Prepared By / Luyties Pharmacal Company / St. Louis, MO.", and a round paper label on the back. Box contains a gold-colored ointment tin with embossed top: LUYTIES / PANACEA / ST. LOUIS, MO. and a round paper label on the bottom. Label lists ingredients and directions for use. Contents - 1 Ounce.
Indications/Use as per product label: A healing ointment for minor wounds, burns, sprains and scalds. Apply night and morning and cover with a bandage. Also useful as a counter-irritant in colds and coughs following colds. Apply the ointment hot on linen over throat and chest and cover with flannel.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Luyties Pharmacal Co.
ID Number
MG.311682.0615
catalog number
311682.0615
accession number
311682
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920s
maker
Pfeiffer Chemical Company
ID Number
1979.1144.068
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.068
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
1935 - 1965
maker
Lambert Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1993.0331.082
catalog number
1993.0331.082
accession number
1993.0331
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A valuable hypnotic, anodyne and antispasmodic preparation, offered the medical profession in the line of definite therapy. The rationale of formula is self-evident.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A valuable hypnotic, anodyne and antispasmodic preparation, offered the medical profession in the line of definite therapy. The rationale of formula is self-evident. Its value in the relief of pain -- the manifold conditions of unrest, insomnia, etc., may be quickly demonstrated.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908 - 1918
maker
Tilden Company
ID Number
MG.M-07219
catalog number
M-07219
accession number
220009
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
H. E. Bucklen & Co.
ID Number
MG.293320.1131
catalog number
293320.1131
accession number
293320
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Peacock Chemical Company
ID Number
1978.0883.028
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.028
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1941 - 1945
maker
Grove Laboratories
ID Number
2012.0165.011
catalog number
2012.0165.011
accession number
2012.0165
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Waterbury Chemical Company
ID Number
1981.0227.048
accession number
1981.0227
catalog number
1981.0227.048
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.0798.079
catalog number
1979.0798.079
accession number
1979.0798
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For dyspepsia, sick headache, sour stomach, lost appetite, low spirits, colic, costiveness, heartburn, indigestion, fever and ague, dysentery, and all diseases arising from torpidity of the liver.Curren
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For dyspepsia, sick headache, sour stomach, lost appetite, low spirits, colic, costiveness, heartburn, indigestion, fever and ague, dysentery, and all diseases arising from torpidity of the liver.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
C. F. Simmons Medicine Company
ID Number
2012.0165.007
catalog number
2012.0165.007
accession number
2012.0165
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For rheumatism, neuralgia, la grippe, nervous headache, gout, sciatica, or wherever the salicylates are indicatedCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For rheumatism, neuralgia, la grippe, nervous headache, gout, sciatica, or wherever the salicylates are indicated
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Mellier Drug Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.49
catalog number
M-10413
accession number
246707
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs, colds, and spasmodic croup; relieves ordinary sore throatCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs, colds, and spasmodic croup; relieves ordinary sore throat
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Paris Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.21
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707
Dyspepsia and stomach troubles.Currently not on view
Description
Dyspepsia and stomach troubles.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
Foster-Milburn Company
ID Number
MG.274347.267
catalog number
274347.267
accession number
274347
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For the instant relief and certain cure of consumption, coughs, colds, asthma, dry hacking cough, loss of voice, irritation of throat, soreness of chest, croup, spitting of blood, influenza, lung fever, whoopin
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For the instant relief and certain cure of consumption, coughs, colds, asthma, dry hacking cough, loss of voice, irritation of throat, soreness of chest, croup, spitting of blood, influenza, lung fever, whooping cough, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1885
maker
James F. Ballard
Ballard Snow Liniment Company
ID Number
MG.M-10409.17
catalog number
M-10409
accession number
246707
[No indications or uses for this product are provided on its packaging.]Currently not on view
Description
[No indications or uses for this product are provided on its packaging.]
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Battle and Company Chemists Corporation
ID Number
MG.293320.1394
catalog number
293320.1394
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Acts on stomach, kidneys, liver and bowelsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Acts on stomach, kidneys, liver and bowels
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
A. H. Lewis Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1258
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1258
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For pain and fever. Antipyretic, anodyne, sedative, anti-neuralgia and anti-rheumatic.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For pain and fever. Antipyretic, anodyne, sedative, anti-neuralgia and anti-rheumatic.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1898
maker
Salfene Chemical Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1364
catalog number
293320.1364
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the instand relief and certain cure of consumption, coughs, colds, asthma, dry hackingcough, loss of voice, irritation of throat, soreness of chest, croup, spitting of blood, influenza, lung fever,
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the instand relief and certain cure of consumption, coughs, colds, asthma, dry hackingcough, loss of voice, irritation of throat, soreness of chest, croup, spitting of blood, influenza, lung fever, whooping cough, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1893
maker
Ballard Snow Liniment Co.
ID Number
MG.M-10719.04
catalog number
M-10719
accession number
254860
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For indigestion, intermittent fevers, want of appetite, nervous prostration, fainting, lack of energy, malaria, heartburn, dyspeptic symptomsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For indigestion, intermittent fevers, want of appetite, nervous prostration, fainting, lack of energy, malaria, heartburn, dyspeptic symptoms
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
after 1908
maker
Brown's Iron Bitters Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.47
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For toothache, headache, sore throat, chilblains, frostbites, cuts, burns, sprains, bruises, neuralgia and rheumatic painsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For toothache, headache, sore throat, chilblains, frostbites, cuts, burns, sprains, bruises, neuralgia and rheumatic pains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1919
1919-1938
ID Number
MG.M-10426.15
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Relieves spasmodic asthma by allaying hyperaesthesia, relaxing muscular tension and subduing inflammation by resolution, rationally meeting the pathological requirements of these cases.Currently not on
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Relieves spasmodic asthma by allaying hyperaesthesia, relaxing muscular tension and subduing inflammation by resolution, rationally meeting the pathological requirements of these cases.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
Tilden Company
ID Number
MG.M-07226
catalog number
M-07226
accession number
220009
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:An alterative and blood purifierCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
An alterative and blood purifier
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Swaim's Laboratory
ID Number
MG.M-10426.25
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

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