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: indicated in all affections due to the Uric Acid Diathesis - Gout or Rheumatism in all their forms, Stones in the Bladder, Kidneys, or Liver; Bright's Disease and Kidney Diseases of every form; Albuminu
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: indicated in all affections due to the Uric Acid Diathesis - Gout or Rheumatism in all their forms, Stones in the Bladder, Kidneys, or Liver; Bright's Disease and Kidney Diseases of every form; Albuminuria of Pregnancy or Scarlet Fever; Uraemia and its accompanying troubles; Menstrual Irregularities; Acid Dyspepsia; Nervous Disorder in all its forms; Maleral Fever; and in the preparations of Artifical Food for Infants.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Buffalo Lithia Spring Water Co.
ID Number
MG.M-09458 [dup1]
catalog number
M-09458
serial number
15055
accession number
228689
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-07252
catalog number
M-07252
accession number
220009
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: indicated in all affections due to the Uric Acid Diathesis - Gout or Rheumatism in all their forms, Stones in the Bladder, Kidneys, or Liver; Bright's Disease and Kidney Diseases of every form; Albuminu
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: indicated in all affections due to the Uric Acid Diathesis - Gout or Rheumatism in all their forms, Stones in the Bladder, Kidneys, or Liver; Bright's Disease and Kidney Diseases of every form; Albuminuria of Pregnancy or Scarlet Fever; Uraemia and its accompanying troubles; Menstrual Irregularities; Acid Dyspepsia; Nervous Disorder in all its forms; Maleral Fever; and in the preparations of Artifical Food for Infants
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Buffalo Lithia Spring Water Co.
ID Number
MG.M-09458
catalog number
M-09458
accession number
228689
serial number
15055
[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
1880-1904
maker
Buffalo Lithia Spring Water Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1109
catalog number
293320.1109
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Purgative, laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Purgative, laxative
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1948
after 1938
maker
French Lick Springs Hotel Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1245
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1245
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1853-1900
1853-1900
Associated Name
Kreuzberg, Georg
maker
Kreuzberg, Georg
ID Number
1984.0782.011
catalog number
1984.0782.011
accession number
1984.0782
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1937
maker
Mineral Water System. City of Excelsior Springs, Missouri
ID Number
2012.0165.018
catalog number
2012.0165.018
accession number
2012.0165
[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 1950
maker
H. Murie
ID Number
1989.0711.36
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.36
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: For ordinary family use in constipation; dyspepsia; torpidity of the liver; for the obese and for the goutyCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: For ordinary family use in constipation; dyspepsia; torpidity of the liver; for the obese and for the gouty
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Rubinat Company
ID Number
1980.0698.084
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.084
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: Used in the greatest service in cases of difficult digestion, chronic indigestion, costiveness, jaundice, affections of the liver and spleen, congestion of the brain, apoplectic attacks, diseases of the uterus
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: Used in the greatest service in cases of difficult digestion, chronic indigestion, costiveness, jaundice, affections of the liver and spleen, congestion of the brain, apoplectic attacks, diseases of the uterus, all forms of tetter and cutaneous diseases, excessive corpulence, and hemorrhoids, and in the treatment of all gouty disorders
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1910
maker
Rubinat Company
ID Number
1980.0698.083
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.083
[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 1940
maker
White Rock Mineral Spring
ID Number
1980.0698.085
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.085
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A cure for gravel, Bright's disease, diabetes, dropsy and all diseases of the kidneys and bladder. Cures rheumatism, neuralgia, dyspepsia, eczema, malarial poisoning, gout, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A cure for gravel, Bright's disease, diabetes, dropsy and all diseases of the kidneys and bladder. Cures rheumatism, neuralgia, dyspepsia, eczema, malarial poisoning, gout, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
Takoma Park Springs Company
ID Number
1989.0711.55
catalog number
1989.0711.55
accession number
1989.0711

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