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: irritation, congestion, hyper-secretion, etcCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: irritation, congestion, hyper-secretion, etc
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1917
maker
Micajah and Company
ID Number
1984.0782.121
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.121
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the prevention and cure of all unnatural discharges from urinary organs; Gonorrhea; Gleet; LeucorrheaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the prevention and cure of all unnatural discharges from urinary organs; Gonorrhea; Gleet; Leucorrhea
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.274347.185
catalog number
274347.185
accession number
274347
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For scrofulous, syphilitic, bladder and kidney complaints; dry bronchitis; bronchial asthma; indurations and enlargement of the glands, joints and bones; rheumatism; arthritis; sciatica and rheumatic neuralgias
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For scrofulous, syphilitic, bladder and kidney complaints; dry bronchitis; bronchial asthma; indurations and enlargement of the glands, joints and bones; rheumatism; arthritis; sciatica and rheumatic neuralgias; and various eruptive diseases of the skin
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1914-1918
maker
Radway and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.49
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707
[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 1920
maker
Beggs Manufacturing Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.36
catalog number
M-10413
accession number
246707
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For all blood diseases, stomach and liver difficulties, such as dyspepsia, biliousness, syphillis, scrofula, salt rheum, erysipelas, liver complaint, catarrh, rheumatism, enlargement of the liver, and diseases
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For all blood diseases, stomach and liver difficulties, such as dyspepsia, biliousness, syphillis, scrofula, salt rheum, erysipelas, liver complaint, catarrh, rheumatism, enlargement of the liver, and diseases of the kidneys
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
maker
Oregon Indian Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup20]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1900
maker
Reese Chemical Company
ID Number
MG.M-10414.03
catalog number
M-10414
accession number
246707
[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 1910
maker
Pabst Chemical Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.61
accession number
246707
catalog number
M-10426
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Secondary and tertiary syphilis, rheumatism, gout, Bright's disease, Indigestion, Congestion, Giddiness, Nervousness, Weakness, Bad Rest, Langour, Lassitude, General Debility of theNervous and Muscular
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Secondary and tertiary syphilis, rheumatism, gout, Bright's disease, Indigestion, Congestion, Giddiness, Nervousness, Weakness, Bad Rest, Langour, Lassitude, General Debility of theNervous and Muscular System
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Thurmond Chemical Company
ID Number
MG.274347.273
catalog number
274347.273
accession number
274347
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the cure of rheumatism, syphilis, pleurisy, neuralgia, lame back, dyspepsia, indigestion, acidity of the stomach, flatunlency, torpid liver, jaundice, habitual constipation, catarrh, hay fever, weak
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the cure of rheumatism, syphilis, pleurisy, neuralgia, lame back, dyspepsia, indigestion, acidity of the stomach, flatunlency, torpid liver, jaundice, habitual constipation, catarrh, hay fever, weakness of the kidneys, pimples, blotches, and eruptions, any diseases arising from impurities of the blood or a disordered liver, stomach or kidneys
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.274347.238
catalog number
274347.238
accession number
274347
catalog number
M-12140
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For all diseases of the female generative organs, whites, leucorrhea, ulceration, discharges, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For all diseases of the female generative organs, whites, leucorrhea, ulceration, discharges, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
Ideal Chemical Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.32
accession number
246707
catalog number
M-10413.32
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:An old but highly esteemed French preparation, extensively used by and very beneficial to scrofulous, lymphatics, rachitics, syphilitics, etc.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
An old but highly esteemed French preparation, extensively used by and very beneficial to scrofulous, lymphatics, rachitics, syphilitics, etc. Also a tonic, stimulant, alterative, deobstruant and diuretic remedy.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1915
before 1915
maker
E. Fougera and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1248
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1248
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For gleet and goutCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For gleet and gout
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
maker
J. C. Allan Company
ID Number
MG.M-10423
catalog number
M-10423
accession number
246707
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For masculine hygiene. Antiseptic. GermicidalCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For masculine hygiene. Antiseptic. Germicidal
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1933
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1984.0351.115
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.115
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: The invaluable plant called Matica, native of Peru, possesses extraordinary preventative and astringent properties.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: The invaluable plant called Matica, native of Peru, possesses extraordinary preventative and astringent properties. A few injections, each of a very short duration are sufficient to arrest the most inveterate discharges.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1850 - 1900
ca 1860 - 1910
ca 1890
maker
Grimault and Company
ID Number
1984.0782.119
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.119
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: ...that was used for treating/curing gonorrhea, syphilis, and other sexually transmitted diseases of the day.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: ...that was used for treating/curing gonorrhea, syphilis, and other sexually transmitted diseases of the day. From what was found on this product, Injection Brou was not only a cure for genital diseases, but it also killed the pain associated with it.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1919
ca 1890
maker
Favrot, Charles
ID Number
1984.0782.029
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.029
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:GonorrheaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Gonorrhea
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Red Star Laboratories
ID Number
1985.0460.192
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.192
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For scrofula, scrofulous humors, scald head, syphilitic affections, ringworms, eczema or salt rheum, boils, pimples and humors on the face, rheumatism, catarrh, headache, dizziness, faintness at the stomach, co
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For scrofula, scrofulous humors, scald head, syphilitic affections, ringworms, eczema or salt rheum, boils, pimples and humors on the face, rheumatism, catarrh, headache, dizziness, faintness at the stomach, constipation, pains in the back, female weakness, general debility, costiveness, biliousness, and all diseases arising from an impure state or low condition of the blood. Sarsatabs assist nature to expel from the system all impure and effete matter through the lungs, liver, kidneys and skin, aid all weak and debilitated organs, invigorate the nervous system, and impart new life and energy.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
C. I. Hood and Company
ID Number
1989.0711.51
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.51
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A most excellent combination of vegetable medicines for scrofula, erysipelas, syphilis, salt rheum, pimples, boils, and all impurities of the blood.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A most excellent combination of vegetable medicines for scrofula, erysipelas, syphilis, salt rheum, pimples, boils, and all impurities of the blood. As a spring medicine for removing biliousness, preventing and relieving constipation, in conjunction with Thompson's Dandelion and Mandrake Pills, it will be found invaluable, increasing the appetite and strengthening the system. In all skin diseases or eruptions it should be used with San Cura Ointment.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Thompson Medical Company
ID Number
1989.0711.50
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.50
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Purifying AlterativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Purifying Alterative
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1915
associated date
1883
maker
Blood Balm Company
ID Number
1978.0235.178
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.178
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Reese Chemical Company
ID Number
1978.0235.295
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.295
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For irritations of the bladder and urinary passagesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For irritations of the bladder and urinary passages
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1935
maker
Establissements Rigaud, Inc.
ID Number
1978.0235.168
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.168
Red cardboard box with white print and a graphic of two electricity pylons transmitting an "S. O. S." signal. The box contains two smaller boxes with similar graphics. One box contains a glass bottle of S.O.S.
Description
Red cardboard box with white print and a graphic of two electricity pylons transmitting an "S. O. S." signal. The box contains two smaller boxes with similar graphics. One box contains a glass bottle of S.O.S. capsules (to be taken internally) and the other box contains a glass bottle of S.O.S. astringent solution (to be used externally.) A small cotton bag is also included.
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: An astringent solution. Internal: Take one or two Capsules after meals, one or two may be taken at bedtime. External: Inject a small syringeful immediately after urinating three or four times a day. Hold the solution in the urethra (water passage) a few minutes so it can come in contact with the tissues and thoroughly cleanse the affected parts.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
ca 1920
maker
S. Pfeiffer Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1980.0698.093
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.093
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To be used only by or on the prescription of a physician.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To be used only by or on the prescription of a physician.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1940
Associated Name
Tupper's Pharmacy
maker
S. Pfeiffer Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1980.0698.033
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.033
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An Astringent Solution. Inject a small syringeful immediately after urinationg three or four times a day.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An Astringent Solution. Inject a small syringeful immediately after urinationg three or four times a day. Hold the solution in the urethra (water passage) a few minutes so it can come in contact with the tissues ans thoroughly cleaness the affected parts.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
S. Pfeiffer Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1980.0698.092
catalog number
1980.0698.092
accession number
1980.0698

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