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.

Date: 1880s

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

Z. C. Alden's Catarrh Cure

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Catarrh, cold in the head, headache.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Catarrh, cold in the head, headache.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1872-1883
c. 1872-1883
maker
Z. C. Alden
ID Number
MG.M-12151.25B
catalog number
M-12151.25B
accession number
271464

Hood's Vegetable Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Small doses are a gentle laxative, larger doses an active cathartic.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Small doses are a gentle laxative, larger doses an active cathartic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920s
trademark registration date
1888-04-01
maker
C. I. Hood Company
ID Number
MG.313462.062
catalog number
313462.062
accession number
313462

Milk of Magnesia

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1885
maker
Chas. H. Phillips Chemical Company
ID Number
2008.3006.135
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.135

Chamberlain's Pain Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandula
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandular swellings, headache, toothache, backache, soreness of chest, pain in side, pain in back, cramp in muscle and all deep-seated and muscular pains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
c. 1906
c. 1908-1918
associated date
1882
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup3]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Tamara Larix Bon Bon

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For the cure of constipation and liver diseases and thereby for the prevention of headache, dyspepsia, cerebral congestion, biliousness, piles, etc., etc.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For the cure of constipation and liver diseases and thereby for the prevention of headache, dyspepsia, cerebral congestion, biliousness, piles, etc., etc. Cures constipation and thus prevents congestion of the brain, apoplexy, insanity, convulsions. It is almost a cure for sea sickness.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1872-1883
maker
McKesson and Robbins
F. Crosby
ID Number
MG.M-12151.15
accession number
271464
catalog number
M-12151.15

Thermaline

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Chills, fever, ague, dumb ague, intermittent fever, all malarial diseases, enlarged spleen, ague cake, remittent, intermittent, periodic, continuous, swamp, bilious, congestive and simple fevers, liver
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Chills, fever, ague, dumb ague, intermittent fever, all malarial diseases, enlarged spleen, ague cake, remittent, intermittent, periodic, continuous, swamp, bilious, congestive and simple fevers, liver disorders, kidney disease, jaundice, general debility, poverty of the blood, neuralgia, female debility, dyspepsia.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1880
maker
Dundas Dick and Company
ID Number
MG.M-12151.06B
accession number
271464
catalog number
M-12151

Chamberlain's Cough Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For Cough, Colds, Croup, Whooping Cough, Hoarsness, Bronchitis, Sore Throat, Influenza, and diseases of the Throat and Lungs.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For Cough, Colds, Croup, Whooping Cough, Hoarsness, Bronchitis, Sore Throat, Influenza, and diseases of the Throat and Lungs.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1906
1908-1918
associated date
1882
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup5]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Dr. I. W. Lyon's Tooth Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1885
maker
I. W. Lyon
ID Number
2001.0314.782
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.782

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

Chamberlain's Cough Remedy

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1906
1908-1918
associated date
1882
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup6]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Chamberlain's Pain Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandula
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandular swellings, headache, toothache, backache, soreness of chest, pain in side, pain in back, cramp in muscle and all deep-seated and muscular pains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
associated date
1882
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup4]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

"Doct Robt B Folger's Olosaonian"

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1840-1860
c. 1880
ID Number
MG.M-10755 [dup3]
catalog number
M-10755
accession number
256193

Chamberlain's Pain-Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandula
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandular swellings, headache, toothache, backache, soreness of chest, pain in side, pain in back, cramp in muscle and all deep-seated and muscular pains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1882-1906
associated date
1882
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10243.04
catalog number
M-10243.04
accession number
241520

Chamberlain's Pain-Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandula
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandular swellings, headache, toothache, backache, soreness of chest, pain in side, pain in back, cramp in muscle and all deep-seated and muscular pains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1882
associated date
1882
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10243.06
catalog number
M-10243.06
accession number
241520

Dr. G. H. Tichenor's Antiseptic Refrigerant

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For cuts, bruises, sprain, superficial burns, sunburn, foot itch, prickly heat, insect bites, mouthwashCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For cuts, bruises, sprain, superficial burns, sunburn, foot itch, prickly heat, insect bites, mouthwash
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
Dr. G. H. Tichenor Antiseptic Company
ID Number
MG.M-10418.01
catalog number
M-10418
accession number
246707

Moses Dame's Wine of the Woods

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Remedy for dyspepsia, biliousness, costiveness, headache, worms, jaundice, liver complaint, debility, loss of energy, feebleness and all other diseases arising from derangement of the stomach, liver or b
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Remedy for dyspepsia, biliousness, costiveness, headache, worms, jaundice, liver complaint, debility, loss of energy, feebleness and all other diseases arising from derangement of the stomach, liver or blood. Indigestion, heart burn, distress, or a sense of fullness after eating, pains in the bowels, back, sides, or under the shoulders, female weakness and irregularities, piles, sick headache, boils, ulcers, eruptions, weakness, flatulence, sour stomach, fever and ague, disturbances of the bowels, nausea, diarrhea, dysentery, colds, palpitations, asthma, kidney complaint, erysipelas, painter's colic [chronic intestinal pains and constipation caused by lead poisoning]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1872-1883
maker
Moses Dame Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1323
catalog number
293320.1323
accession number
293320

Chamberlain's Pain-Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandula
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandular swellings, headache, toothache, backache, soreness of chest, pain in side, pain in back, cramp in muscle and all deep-seated and muscular pains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1882
associated date
1882
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10243.05
catalog number
M-10243.05
accession number
241520

Hebe Pills

[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 1880
maker
Juventas Depot
ID Number
MG.M-10413.23
catalog number
M-10413.23
accession number
246707

Dr. Samuel Collins' Great Indian Pain-Killing Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Cramp or colic cured in ten minutes. Sprains relieved in twenty minutes. Sore Throat relieved in thirty minutes. Chloera Morbus cured in forty minutes.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Cramp or colic cured in ten minutes. Sprains relieved in twenty minutes. Sore Throat relieved in thirty minutes. Chloera Morbus cured in forty minutes. For quick relief of Headache, Toothache, Pain in the Stomach, Back or Side, Painter's Colic, Frosted Feet, Burns, Fresh Cuts, Sprains, Bruises, Diarrhoea, Cholera Morbus, Sore Throat, Sick Headache, and all similar complaints.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1880
maker
Mrs. Dr. S. Collins
ID Number
2005.0100.023
accession number
2005.0100
catalog number
2005.0100.023

Uncle Ben Jo's Bell Tongue Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A blood purifier, purgative, diuretic alterative, cures all liver, stomach, bowels and kidney diseases, nervous debility, dropsy, scrofula, salt rheum, all skin diseases, worms, gravel and other bladder disease
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A blood purifier, purgative, diuretic alterative, cures all liver, stomach, bowels and kidney diseases, nervous debility, dropsy, scrofula, salt rheum, all skin diseases, worms, gravel and other bladder diseases, ague, cough, cold, heart disease, rheumatism, asthma, bilious and intermittent fevers, jaundice, chronic diarrhea, flatulency, internal inflammation, erysipelas, constipation, dyspepsia, brain diseases, vertigo or dizziness, gout, lumbago, leuccorrhea and all female diseases, epilepsy, swollen feet and limbs, boils, tumors, tetters, scaldhead, ringworm, ulcers and general debility
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
ca 1880
maker
F. Rumsey Gridley
ID Number
MG.M-10426.66
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Sarsparilla Vegetable Blood Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For purifying the bloodCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For purifying the blood
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1880
ca 1898
maker
B. Schmitt
ID Number
MG.M-10413.45
catalog number
M-10413
accession number
246707

Bromo-Seltzer

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

Dr. D. Jayne's Alterative

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after August 28, 1888
maker
D. Jayne and Son
ID Number
2012.0046.24
catalog number
2012.0046.24
accession number
2012.0046

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