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: Philadelphia

Bicola Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A brain, nerve and blood tonic; cures all nervous diseases; female weaknesses; suppression of periodsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A brain, nerve and blood tonic; cures all nervous diseases; female weaknesses; suppression of periods
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Turners
ID Number
MG.M-10413.37
catalog number
M-10413.37
accession number
246707

Hymacal Wafers

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Antacid AdsorbentCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Antacid Adsorbent
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Rossmar Laboratories Inc.
ID Number
MG.314016.100
catalog number
314016.100
accession number
314016

Peptonic Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
John Wyeth & Brother
ID Number
1978.0235.206.2
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.206.2
serial number
1092575

Eskay's Oralator

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For temporary relief of coughs due to colds. Checks coughing spell at the very start.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For temporary relief of coughs due to colds. Checks coughing spell at the very start.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940s
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Smith, Kline & French Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.163
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.163

Warner's Original Compound Lithia Water Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Diuretic. Antacid. Recommended by many practitioners in the treatment of gout, rheumatism, gravel and lithaemia.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Diuretic. Antacid. Recommended by many practitioners in the treatment of gout, rheumatism, gravel and lithaemia.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1916
ID Number
1979.0798.064
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.64

Jayne's Expectorant for Coughs

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs due to coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs due to colds
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Dr. D. Jayne and Son
ID Number
1989.0711.24
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.24

Mentos Medicine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0481.341
catalog number
1985.0481.341
accession number
1985.0481

Hance Hanorub

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: A stimulating counter-irritant for external use.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: A stimulating counter-irritant for external use. For application to the chest for its counter-irritant effects in cases of common colds and for its counter-irritant effects for soreness and stiffness of the muscles due to over-exercise or exposure and strains due to colds.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1950
Associated Name
Tupper's Pharmacy
maker
Hance Brothers and White Company
ID Number
1980.0698.016
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.016

California Prune Wafers

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A pleasant and sure specific for all liver, stomach and bowel troubles.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A pleasant and sure specific for all liver, stomach and bowel troubles.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1908
maker
Irving Drug Company
ID Number
2008.0018.011
catalog number
2008.0018.011
accession number
2008.0018

Hance Larkspur Lotion

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Effective in destroying head and crab lice; for external use onlyCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Effective in destroying head and crab lice; for external use only
Location
Currently not on view
retailer
Tupper's Pharmacy
maker
Hance Brothers and White Company
ID Number
1980.0698.050
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.050

Jayne's Expectorant

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Excpectorant for coughs due to common coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Excpectorant for coughs due to common colds
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
maker
Dr. D. Jayne and Son
ID Number
1978.0235.296
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.296

Tryalax the Laxative Chocolate

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the prompt relief of constipation sick headache, biliousness and various forms of liver complaintsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the prompt relief of constipation sick headache, biliousness and various forms of liver complaints
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Tryalax Manufacturing Company Inc.
ID Number
MG.313462.025
catalog number
313462.025
accession number
313462

Wampole's Preparation

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Tonic, stimulantCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Tonic, stimulant
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1926
maker
Henry K. Wampole and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1285
catalog number
293320.1285
accession number
293320

Upham's Asthma Cure

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For asthma paroxysmCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For asthma paroxysm
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1872-1883
maker
Samuel C. Upham
ID Number
MG.M-12151.16
catalog number
314016.025
accession number
271464

Thomson's Tree of Life Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Burk, William C.
ID Number
1980.0678.27
accession number
1980.0678
catalog number
1980.0678.27

Bismuth-Formic-Iodide Compound, B-F-I

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An effective first aid dressing for cuts, burns, and scratches. Relieves aching feet. Promotes healing and soothes chafing, sunburn and skin irritations. Useful after shaving.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An effective first aid dressing for cuts, burns, and scratches. Relieves aching feet. Promotes healing and soothes chafing, sunburn and skin irritations. Useful after shaving.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
H. K. Mulford Company
ID Number
1979.0798.140
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.140

Chase's Tonic Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A tonic for the sick, convalescent, overworkedCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A tonic for the sick, convalescent, overworked
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1926
maker
United Medicine Company
ID Number
1989.0711.09
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.09

Eckman's Alterative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For use in the following affections: catarrhal bronchitis, stubborn coughs and colds, and as a tonic.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For use in the following affections: catarrhal bronchitis, stubborn coughs and colds, and as a tonic.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1922
maker
Burrows Little White Company
ID Number
1979.0798.008
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.008

Contac Jr. , 4 Fl. Oz.

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Complete cold medicine for children. Gentle decongestant, safe cough quieter, pain and fever reducerCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Complete cold medicine for children. Gentle decongestant, safe cough quieter, pain and fever reducer
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1982
maker
Menley and James Laboratories
ID Number
1998.0252.032
accession number
1998.0252
catalog number
1998.0252.032

Acetidine Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: FOR RELIEF OF PAIN from simple HEADACHE & NEURALGIA also useful IN COMMON COLDSCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: FOR RELIEF OF PAIN from simple HEADACHE & NEURALGIA also useful IN COMMON COLDS
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
1985.0481.010
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.010

Dr. M. C. Kreitzer's German Stomach Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the permanent cure of liver complaint, jaundice, dyspepsia, nervous debility, asthma, disease of the kidneys, and all diseases arising from a disordered liver or stomachCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the permanent cure of liver complaint, jaundice, dyspepsia, nervous debility, asthma, disease of the kidneys, and all diseases arising from a disordered liver or stomach
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1898-1902
maker
Kreitzler, M. C.
ID Number
2008.0062.27
accession number
2008.0062
catalog number
2008.0062.27

Wyalin Physiological Laxative and Cholagogue

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Treatment of bilious constipation and as a tonic laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Treatment of bilious constipation and as a tonic laxative
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
maker
John Wyeth and Brother
ID Number
MG.293320.1292
catalog number
293320.1292
accession number
293320

Schenck's Mandrake Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For biliousness and associated conditions due to constipation.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For biliousness and associated conditions due to constipation.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr. J. H. Schenck & Son
ID Number
MG.293320.1367
catalog number
293320.1367
accession number
293320

Vicks Nose and Throat Drops

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Nose and throat irritation, head colds, nasal catarrh, chest colds and coughs due to coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Nose and throat irritation, head colds, nasal catarrh, chest colds and coughs due to colds
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
Vick Chemical Company
ID Number
1979.0798.116
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.116

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