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: Brooklyn

Ex-Lax The Chocolated Laxative, Free Sample

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Ex-Lax Manufacturing Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1296
catalog number
293320.1296
accession number
293320

Garfield Headache Powder

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920s-1940s
maker
Garfield Tea Company
ID Number
MG.M-10255
catalog number
M-10255
accession number
241521

Acetaminophen Capsules, 500 Mg. 100 Capsules

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1998.0252.045
accession number
1998.0252
catalog number
1998.0252.045

Locurto's Adult Nasal Spray

For temporary relief of nasal congestion and distress due to colds, hay fever, allergies.Currently not on view
Description
For temporary relief of nasal congestion and distress due to colds, hay fever, allergies.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Locurto's Pharmacy
ID Number
1981.0219.074
accession number
1981.0219
catalog number
1981.0219.074

M-D-C

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1988.0717.31
accession number
1988.0717
catalog number
1988.0717.31

Neo-Hist, The Anti-Histamine Tablet

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Manhattan Drug Co.
ID Number
1985.0481.088
catalog number
1985.0481.088
accession number
1985.0481

Terpin-Dex, Blue Cross Antitussive Syrup, Liquid, 4 Fl. Oz.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1998.0252.021
accession number
1998.0252
catalog number
1998.0252.021

New-Skin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.0018.273
catalog number
2008.0018.273
accession number
2008.0018

Helps

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For minor throat irritationsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For minor throat irritations
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1934
maker
National Licorice Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1306
catalog number
293320.1306
accession number
293320

Lamond Dermasoacin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1993.0384.024
catalog number
1993.0384.024
accession number
1993.0384

Garfield Digestive Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Dyspepsia, indigestion, and stomach troubleCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Dyspepsia, indigestion, and stomach trouble
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908-1918
1908-1918
maker
Garfield Tea Company
ID Number
1984.0782.064
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.064

Garfield Tea Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Is composed wholly of herbs and is a remedy for occasional Constipation. Flush the bowels with Garfield Tea. Garfield Tea is taken by many users with satisfactory results.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Is composed wholly of herbs and is a remedy for occasional Constipation. Flush the bowels with Garfield Tea. Garfield Tea is taken by many users with satisfactory results. It is a splendid laxative and diuretic.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1939
depicted
Garfield, James A.
maker
Garfield Tea Company
ID Number
MG.254865.04
accession number
254865
catalog number
254865.04

Ex-Lax The Chocolate Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Recommended for constipation in all its forms for children and grown-upsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Recommended for constipation in all its forms for children and grown-ups
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1911
ID Number
MG.293320.1294
catalog number
293320.1294
accession number
293320

Ex-Lax The Chocolated Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Widely used with good results in cases of occasional constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Widely used with good results in cases of occasional constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
ID Number
MG.293320.1298
catalog number
293320.1298
accession number
293320

Compound Carbolated Ointment

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For the treatment of burns, cuts, old ulcers, tetter, ringworm, itch, chapped and cracked skin, boils and abscessesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For the treatment of burns, cuts, old ulcers, tetter, ringworm, itch, chapped and cracked skin, boils and abscesses
Location
Currently not on view
maker
American Stopper Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1192
catalog number
293320.1192
accession number
293320

Slendron

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
After 1906
maker
Bio Tech Products Company
ID Number
MG.274347.196
catalog number
274347.196
accession number
274347

Ex-Lax The Chocolated Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
maker
Ex-Lax Manufacturing Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1297
catalog number
293320.1297
accession number
293320

Slendron

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: As food supplementsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: As food supplements
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
After 1938
maker
Bio Tech Products
ID Number
MG.274347.180
catalog number
274347.180
accession number
274347
catalog number
M-12140

Ex-Lax The Chocolated Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
ID Number
MG.293320.1295
catalog number
293320.1295
accession number
293320

Dr. Tucker No. 59 Cough Drops

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Cure of coughs, colds, sore throat, bronchial affectionsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Cure of coughs, colds, sore throat, bronchial affections
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1880
maker
Dr. H. A. Tucker
ID Number
MG.293320.1280
catalog number
293320.1280
accession number
293320

Mexican Mustang Liniment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For relief from pain, tired out muscles, lameness in the back and shoulders, stiff joints, burns, scalds, cuts, mashes, rheumatism, laumbago, ulcers, sores, open wounds, sprains, bruises, or lamenessCurr
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For relief from pain, tired out muscles, lameness in the back and shoulders, stiff joints, burns, scalds, cuts, mashes, rheumatism, laumbago, ulcers, sores, open wounds, sprains, bruises, or lameness
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1923
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Lyon Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1984.0351.064
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.064

Loxol Pain Expeller

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A liniment: for sore muscles, strains, sprains, bruises, neuralgia, muscular lumbago, chest cold muscle soreness, stiff neck due to exposure, wet feet, non-venomous insect bites, and rheumatic pains, na
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A liniment: for sore muscles, strains, sprains, bruises, neuralgia, muscular lumbago, chest cold muscle soreness, stiff neck due to exposure, wet feet, non-venomous insect bites, and rheumatic pains, nasal congestion or coughs.
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Name
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
F. Ad. Richter and Company
ID Number
1985.0460.066
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.066

Hydrophen White Ointment, New Improved for Athlete's Foot

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Amfre-Grant, Inc.
ID Number
1985.0475.443
catalog number
1985.0475.443
accession number
1985.0475

Virginia Velvets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Be Pink. If you have that yellow look use Virginia Velvets. The modern health governor and regulator.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Be Pink. If you have that yellow look use Virginia Velvets. The modern health governor and regulator.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
manufacturer
American Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1984.0782.208
catalog number
1984.0782.208
accession number
1984.0782

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