Balm of America: Patent Medicine Collection

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.

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:promotes relief from conditions arising from excessive heat, exposure and minor skin troubles. Especially reommended for Prickly Heat and Foot Irriation.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
promotes relief from conditions arising from excessive heat, exposure and minor skin troubles. Especially reommended for Prickly Heat and Foot Irriation. Insect Bites, sunburn, nettle rash, chafing.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Charles Ammen Company
ID Number
1985.0475.346
catalog number
1985.0475.346
accession number
1985.0475
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:"Oxy-Cue" antiseptic dusting powder - easing, soothing, cooling, deodorizing - for tired feet. "Pop" for Corns - works on your corns or callus while you're on the job or asleep.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
"Oxy-Cue" antiseptic dusting powder - easing, soothing, cooling, deodorizing - for tired feet. "Pop" for Corns - works on your corns or callus while you're on the job or asleep. "X-L" Concentrate - to relieve the discomfort of athlete's foot, and itching toes.
date made
1941-1945
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Radio Drugs
ID Number
1985.0460.110
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.110
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Relieve tired, aching, swollen and sweaty feet, chilblains and frost bites, corns, bunions, ingrown nails and callusesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Relieve tired, aching, swollen and sweaty feet, chilblains and frost bites, corns, bunions, ingrown nails and calluses
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
Walter Luther Dodge Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1278
catalog number
293320.1278
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Removes corns and callusesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Removes corns and calluses
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
C. S. Littell and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1320
catalog number
293320.1320
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Cures eczema, bleeding and itching piles, and old sores, burns, sore nipples, salt rheum, tired and tender feet, corns, catarrh, chafingCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Cures eczema, bleeding and itching piles, and old sores, burns, sore nipples, salt rheum, tired and tender feet, corns, catarrh, chafing
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1925
maker
Peterson Brothers
ID Number
MG.293320.1336
catalog number
293320.1336
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For headache, neuralgia, rheumatism, colds in the chest, pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, croup, pleurisy, neuritis, sore joints and muscles, chilblains, tired, aching feet, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For headache, neuralgia, rheumatism, colds in the chest, pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, croup, pleurisy, neuritis, sore joints and muscles, chilblains, tired, aching feet, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Heneph Company Inc.
ID Number
MG.293320.1302
catalog number
293320.1302
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For corns and callusesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For corns and calluses
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1928
maker
Gets-It Incorporated
ID Number
MG.293320.1299
catalog number
293320.1299
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:An effective remedy for Corns, Bunions &c.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
An effective remedy for Corns, Bunions &c.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
W. T. Hanson Company
ID Number
MG.313462.036
catalog number
313462.36
accession number
313462
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
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:An effective remedy for Corns, Bunions &c.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
An effective remedy for Corns, Bunions &c.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
W. T. Hanson Company
ID Number
MG.313462.037
catalog number
313462.37
accession number
313462
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A Delightful Foot-Bath Tablet intended to help relieve Tired, Aching, Swollen and Sweaty Feet, Chilblains and Frots Bites, Corns, Bunions, Ingrowing Nails & Callous.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A Delightful Foot-Bath Tablet intended to help relieve Tired, Aching, Swollen and Sweaty Feet, Chilblains and Frots Bites, Corns, Bunions, Ingrowing Nails & Callous.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1912
maker
Walter Luther Dodge Company
ID Number
MG.293320.3027
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.3027
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For tired, burning feet. Softens the callouses.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For tired, burning feet. Softens the callouses.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Coolene Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.161
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.161
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Pfeiffer Company
ID Number
1985.0475.051
accession number
1985.0475
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.051
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Aids removal of corns and callousesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Aids removal of corns and callouses
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Wellman Company
ID Number
1984.0351.162
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.162
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For professional and home use to ease tired, tender, uncomfortable feet, hard corns, and callouses.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For professional and home use to ease tired, tender, uncomfortable feet, hard corns, and callouses. Package also contains special plasters used in conjunction with foot bath to treat hard corns.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1945-01
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Consolidated Royal Chemical Corporation
ID Number
1984.0351.036
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.036
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Relieves soreness. Reduces irritation. Relieves pain of ingrown nails.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Relieves soreness. Reduces irritation. Relieves pain of ingrown nails.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950s
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Whitehall Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1984.0351.118
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.118
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A remedy of wonderful merit for relief of burns, sunburn, head colds, chapped skin, tired burning feet, cuts and bruises, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A remedy of wonderful merit for relief of burns, sunburn, head colds, chapped skin, tired burning feet, cuts and bruises, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1915
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Kenyon and Thomas Company
ID Number
1985.0460.035
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.035
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Helps relieve itching and irritation of insect bites, dandruff, cold sores, chafing, poison ivy, heat rash, acne pimples, athlete's foot, eczema, razor irritationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Helps relieve itching and irritation of insect bites, dandruff, cold sores, chafing, poison ivy, heat rash, acne pimples, athlete's foot, eczema, razor irritation
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1963
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Purex Corporation
ID Number
1985.0460.027
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.027
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:AIDS REMOVAL OF CORNS, CALLOUSESCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
AIDS REMOVAL OF CORNS, CALLOUSES
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Wellman Company
ID Number
1985.0481.108
catalog number
1985.0481.108
accession number
1985.0481
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A pain-relieving liniment for use in the relief of muscular aches and pains. Effective antiseptic for minor cuts, abrasion. Excellent for athlete's foot.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A pain-relieving liniment for use in the relief of muscular aches and pains. Effective antiseptic for minor cuts, abrasion. Excellent for athlete's foot.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1956
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
George H. Rundle Company
ID Number
1985.0460.080
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.080
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:May be used for chafing and as a general healing powder. Overcomes excessive sweating of the feet, hardens the skin and prevents chafing.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
May be used for chafing and as a general healing powder. Overcomes excessive sweating of the feet, hardens the skin and prevents chafing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Pfeiffer Chemical Company
ID Number
1984.0351.160
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.160
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2012.0165.748
catalog number
2012.0165.748
accession number
2012.0165
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A counter-irritant.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A counter-irritant. For colds in the chest, congestion, coughs due to colds, simple headaches, muscular lumbago, sore muscles, simple neuralgia, frosted feet and unbroken chilblains.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1926-1930
maker
Musterole Company
ID Number
1979.0798.135
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.135
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

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