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.

Name: E. C. DeWitt and Company

DeWitt's D. & C. Expectorant

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs due to colds, and soothing for minor bronchial and throat irritations caused by colds.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs due to colds, and soothing for minor bronchial and throat irritations caused by colds.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1940
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.080
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.080

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup27]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Dewitt's Baby Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: For infants' and children's coughs due to coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: For infants' and children's coughs due to colds
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1950
Associated Name
Tupper's Pharmacy
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1980.0698.046
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.046

DeWitt's Catarrhal Cream

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For nasal catarrh, cold in the head and inflammation of the nasal passages. Cleansing, antiseptic and germicidal.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For nasal catarrh, cold in the head and inflammation of the nasal passages. Cleansing, antiseptic and germicidal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920s
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.042
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.042

Cascasweet

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup36]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup56]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup21]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
2256198
256193

Cascasweet

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A corrective for regulating the stomach and bowels of infants and children.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A corrective for regulating the stomach and bowels of infants and children. For Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Summer Complaints, Constipation, Worms, Sonvulsions, Teething, Wind Colic, Vomiting of Sour Curd, Mad-Assimilation of Food , Sour Stomach Feverishness and Want to Sleep.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup37]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

DeWitt's Kidney & Bladder Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For backache and simple affections of the urinary channels.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For backache and simple affections of the urinary channels.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
2008.0018.023
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.023

DeWitt's Catarrhal Cream

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Is prepared especially with the most, scrupulous care for one of the most offensive and distressing complaints- Nasal Cattarh, the constant dropping of virus which poisons the system, attacks the Bronch
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Is prepared especially with the most, scrupulous care for one of the most offensive and distressing complaints- Nasal Cattarh, the constant dropping of virus which poisons the system, attacks the Bronchial Tubes and frequently destroys the bones of the nose, injures the hearing and destroys the sense of smell
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.041
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.041

Cascasweet

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A corrective for regulating the stomach and bowels of infants and children.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A corrective for regulating the stomach and bowels of infants and children. For Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Summer Complaints, Constipation, Worms, Sonvulsions, Teething, Wind Colic, Vomiting of Sour Curd, Mad-Assimilation of Food , Sour Stomach Feverishness and Want to Sleep.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup43]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup31]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Cascasweet

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For your baby for diarrhea, dysentery, summer complaints, constipation, worms, convulsions, teething, wind colic, vomiting of sour curd, mal-assimilation of food, sour stomach, feverishness and want of sleepCur
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For your baby for diarrhea, dysentery, summer complaints, constipation, worms, convulsions, teething, wind colic, vomiting of sour curd, mal-assimilation of food, sour stomach, feverishness and want of sleep
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
associated date
1906
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup9]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

DeWitt's Witch Hazel Salve

Small round metal tin with embossed lettering on front and back.THE GREAT / PILE / CURE.The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Pile CureCurrently not on view
Description
Small round metal tin with embossed lettering on front and back.
THE GREAT / PILE / CURE.
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Pile Cure
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1900
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
2004.0129.65
accession number
2004.0129
catalog number
2004.0129.65

DeWitt's ManZan for Rectal Irritations

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For rectal irritations. Alleviates itching.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For rectal irritations. Alleviates itching.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1905
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.421
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.421

DeWitt's Carbolized Witch Hazel Salve

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For superficial cuts, minor burns, bruises, contusions, and minor scalds. Also non-venomous insect irritations.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For superficial cuts, minor burns, bruises, contusions, and minor scalds. Also non-venomous insect irritations.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1940
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.069
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.069

DeWitt's Laxative Cold Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For common colds, headache due to colds, and simple neuralgia. Gently move the bowels.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For common colds, headache due to colds, and simple neuralgia. Gently move the bowels.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930 - 1950
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.093
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.093

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup22]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

DeWitt's Compound Iron Tonic Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10257.35
catalog number
M-10257.35
accession number
241521

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908-1918
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
2008.0018.233
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.233

Dewitt's Vaporizing Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Externally: for superficial Burns and Cuts, non-venomous Insect Bites, Frose Bites, Sunburn and Wildburn;/ Internally: inhaled in the form of vapor that is soothing to nasal passages.Currently not on vi
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Externally: for superficial Burns and Cuts, non-venomous Insect Bites, Frose Bites, Sunburn and Wildburn;/ Internally: inhaled in the form of vapor that is soothing to nasal passages.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1980.0698.079
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.079

DeWitt's Little Early Risers

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A most pleasant cathartic pillCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A most pleasant cathartic pill
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1989.0711.16
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.16

Dewitt's Little Early Risers

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Most Pleasant Cathartic PillCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Most Pleasant Cathartic Pill
Location
Currently not on view
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
2009.0097.03
accession number
2009.0097
catalog number
2009.0097.03

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup19]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

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