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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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: Maryland

Lapactic Pills

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

Salvation Oil

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For rheumatism, neuralgia, gout, sciatica, backache, quinsy, sore throat, stiffness of the neck and joints, sprains, cuts and wounds, lumbago, scalds and burns, headache, toothache, earache, bruises, eruptions,
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For rheumatism, neuralgia, gout, sciatica, backache, quinsy, sore throat, stiffness of the neck and joints, sprains, cuts and wounds, lumbago, scalds and burns, headache, toothache, earache, bruises, eruptions, sores and swellings, inflammations, chilblains, frostbites, frosted feet, chapped hands and face, bites and stings of poisonous insects, weak ankles and joints, sore feet, pain in the back and limbs, ulcerated sores, inflammation of the breast, dislocations, or other bodily pains and aches. As a horse and cattle lotion it has no rival.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906-1908
maker
A. C. Meyer and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10409.10
catalog number
M-10409
accession number
246707

Gilbro's Aspirin Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: The relief of pain and discomforts in simple headaches and neuralgias, head colds, muscular aches and painsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: The relief of pain and discomforts in simple headaches and neuralgias, head colds, muscular aches and pains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
Gilbert Brothers and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.400
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.400

Seltzarex

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82843X39

Superior Seidlitz Powders

[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 1890
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.293320.1387
catalog number
293320.1387
accession number
293320

Mayers' Magnetic Catarrh Cure

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For catarrh, hay fever and cold in the headCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For catarrh, hay fever and cold in the head
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1910
ca 1900
maker
Mayer's Drug Co.
ID Number
MG.M-10410.07
catalog number
M-10410
accession number
246707

Steele & Richardson's Nature's Herbs of Life Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For all diseases arising from the stomach, liver and bloodCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For all diseases arising from the stomach, liver and blood
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Red Syns Indian Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.33
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Artificial Carsbad Salt, N.F.V., Granular Effervescent, 4 Ounces

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

No. 6 Rheumatic Drops

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: to remove pain, and prevent mortification ... for Rheumatism, for HeadacheCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: to remove pain, and prevent mortification ... for Rheumatism, for Headache
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1900
maker
Smith & Shakman
ID Number
2004.3012.31
catalog number
2004.3012.31
nonaccession number
2004.3012

Dr. J.W. Bull's Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Cure coughCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Cure cough
Location
Currently not on view
maker
A. C. Meyer and Company
ID Number
2008.3006.145
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.145

Red Cloud Liver Berries

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For sick headache, Biliousness; Constipation; Indigetion.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For sick headache, Biliousness; Constipation; Indigetion.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1917
Associated Name
Tupper's Pharmacy
maker
H. Clark and Sons, Inc.
ID Number
1980.0698.032
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.032

Johnson's Perfection Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Will cure Asthma, Bronchitis, Coughs, Hoarseness, Colds, Influenza, Whooping Cough, Difficult Breathing and Inceipient Consumption.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Will cure Asthma, Bronchitis, Coughs, Hoarseness, Colds, Influenza, Whooping Cough, Difficult Breathing and Inceipient Consumption.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1900
maker
Shakman & Loewy
ID Number
2004.3012.07
catalog number
2004.3012.07
nonaccession number
2004.3012

Dr. Petzold's Genuine German Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:As a tonic and for weakness, indigestion, dyspepsia, nervousness, sick stomach, general debility, nausea, dysentery, biliousness, asthma, ague and fever, and all other malarious diesases.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
As a tonic and for weakness, indigestion, dyspepsia, nervousness, sick stomach, general debility, nausea, dysentery, biliousness, asthma, ague and fever, and all other malarious diesases. For sudden attacks of cramps, cholera, colic, diarrhea, and cholora morbus. For loss of appetite.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1884-1906
maker
Petzold Drug Company
ID Number
MG.M-09916
catalog number
M-09916
accession number
238503

Elixir Catnip and Fennel

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A CarminitiveCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A Carminitive
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1980
maker
Barre Drug Co.
ID Number
2004.3012.04
nonaccession number
2004.3012
catalog number
2004.3012.04

Dr Wood's Cough Syrup

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr. Owens Pharmacy
ID Number
MG.M-10242.08
catalog number
M-10242.08
accession number
241520

Laxadors

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
A. C. Meyer and Company
ID Number
1978.0883.055.F
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.055.F

Mexsana

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1983.0658.02
accession number
1983.0658
catalog number
1983.0658.02

O & O Mixture

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For cough due to colds and head coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For cough due to colds and head colds
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
Osbon and Osbon
ID Number
1979.0798.115
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.115

Oxonolo

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For temporary relief of occassional constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For temporary relief of occassional constipation
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Parkside Products Company
ID Number
MG.313462.010
catalog number
313462.010
accession number
313462

Dr Wood's Cough Syrup

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr. Owens Pharmacy
ID Number
MG.M-10242.09
catalog number
M-10242.09
accession number
241520

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

SPC Analgesic Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Applied Locally In Rheumatism - Gout - NeuralgiaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Applied Locally In Rheumatism - Gout - Neuralgia
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Standard Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
1978.0883.119
catalog number
1978.0883.119
accession number
1978.0883

Nelaton's Remedy for Rheumatism, Gout and Neuralgia

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For rheumatism, gout, and neuralgia.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For rheumatism, gout, and neuralgia. For acute, chronic, inflammatory, muscular and neuralgic forms; rheumatism of joints and heart; rheumatic gout; gout in the small joints and stomach; neuralgic rheumatism and gout; neuralgia of heart and face; sciatica. A splendid liver regulator.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
maker
Nelaton Remedy Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.58
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Nazeptic Wool

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: nasal and respiratory passages in catarrhal conditions of the nose and throat, and in hay fever
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: nasal and respiratory passages in catarrhal conditions of the nose and throat, and in hay fever
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
1984.0782.130
accession number
1984.0782

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