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.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1881
maker
W. H. Comstock Company
ID Number
2009.0097.10
accession number
2009.0097
catalog number
2009.0097.10
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Indicated as a pleasant, quick acting, effective antacid relieving upset stomach, hyperacidity, fullness, sour stomach, heartburn, and other forms of distress due to over-indulgence in food or drink.Cur
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Indicated as a pleasant, quick acting, effective antacid relieving upset stomach, hyperacidity, fullness, sour stomach, heartburn, and other forms of distress due to over-indulgence in food or drink.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1880
after 1907
maker
A. Brioschi and Company
ID Number
1979.1144.029
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.029
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Cramp or colic cured in ten minutes. Sprains relieved in twenty minutes. Sore Throat relieved in thirty minutes. Chloera Morbus cured in forty minutes.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Cramp or colic cured in ten minutes. Sprains relieved in twenty minutes. Sore Throat relieved in thirty minutes. Chloera Morbus cured in forty minutes. For quick relief of Headache, Toothache, Pain in the Stomach, Back or Side, Painter's Colic, Frosted Feet, Burns, Fresh Cuts, Sprains, Bruises, Diarrhoea, Cholera Morbus, Sore Throat, Sick Headache, and all similar complaints.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1880
maker
Mrs. Dr. S. Collins
ID Number
2005.0100.023
accession number
2005.0100
catalog number
2005.0100.023
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1887
maker
Minard Company
ID Number
2008.3006.153
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.153
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1885
maker
Chas. H. Phillips Chemical Company
ID Number
2008.3006.135
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.135
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1881
maker
Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company
ID Number
2008.3006.154
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.154
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after August 28, 1888
maker
D. Jayne and Son
ID Number
2012.0046.24
catalog number
2012.0046.24
accession number
2012.0046
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An effective preparation for corns and callouses. Quickly soothes the pain and removes the corn in one night. Soak foot in warm water at night before application of salve.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An effective preparation for corns and callouses. Quickly soothes the pain and removes the corn in one night. Soak foot in warm water at night before application of salve. Spread thickly on corn and bind with piece of linen or gauze. Soak foot and remove corn the following morning.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s-1970s
product introduced
1884
maker
W. T. Hanson Company
ID Number
AG.P73.2759.06
catalog number
P73.2759.06
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1906
1908-1918
associated date
1882
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup6]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the blood, the stomach, the liver and the bowelsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the blood, the stomach, the liver and the bowels
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1883
maker
A. C. Meyer and Company
ID Number
1984.0782.030
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.030
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1840-1860
c. 1880
ID Number
MG.M-10755 [dup3]
catalog number
M-10755
accession number
256193
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Remedy for dyspepsia, biliousness, costiveness, headache, worms, jaundice, liver complaint, debility, loss of energy, feebleness and all other diseases arising from derangement of the stomach, liver or b
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Remedy for dyspepsia, biliousness, costiveness, headache, worms, jaundice, liver complaint, debility, loss of energy, feebleness and all other diseases arising from derangement of the stomach, liver or blood. Indigestion, heart burn, distress, or a sense of fullness after eating, pains in the bowels, back, sides, or under the shoulders, female weakness and irregularities, piles, sick headache, boils, ulcers, eruptions, weakness, flatulence, sour stomach, fever and ague, disturbances of the bowels, nausea, diarrhea, dysentery, colds, palpitations, asthma, kidney complaint, erysipelas, painter's colic [chronic intestinal pains and constipation caused by lead poisoning]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1872-1883
maker
Moses Dame Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1323
catalog number
293320.1323
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandula
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandular swellings, headache, toothache, backache, soreness of chest, pain in side, pain in back, cramp in muscle and all deep-seated and muscular pains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
associated date
1882
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup4]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandula
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandular swellings, headache, toothache, backache, soreness of chest, pain in side, pain in back, cramp in muscle and all deep-seated and muscular pains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1882-1906
associated date
1882
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10243.04
catalog number
M-10243.04
accession number
241520
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A blood purifier, purgative, diuretic alterative, cures all liver, stomach, bowels and kidney diseases, nervous debility, dropsy, scrofula, salt rheum, all skin diseases, worms, gravel and other bladder disease
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A blood purifier, purgative, diuretic alterative, cures all liver, stomach, bowels and kidney diseases, nervous debility, dropsy, scrofula, salt rheum, all skin diseases, worms, gravel and other bladder diseases, ague, cough, cold, heart disease, rheumatism, asthma, bilious and intermittent fevers, jaundice, chronic diarrhea, flatulency, internal inflammation, erysipelas, constipation, dyspepsia, brain diseases, vertigo or dizziness, gout, lumbago, leuccorrhea and all female diseases, epilepsy, swollen feet and limbs, boils, tumors, tetters, scaldhead, ringworm, ulcers and general debility
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
ca 1880
maker
F. Rumsey Gridley
ID Number
MG.M-10426.66
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandula
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandular swellings, headache, toothache, backache, soreness of chest, pain in side, pain in back, cramp in muscle and all deep-seated and muscular pains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1882
associated date
1882
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10243.06
catalog number
M-10243.06
accession number
241520
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
associated date
1882
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup7]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For cuts, bruises, sprain, superficial burns, sunburn, foot itch, prickly heat, insect bites, mouthwashCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For cuts, bruises, sprain, superficial burns, sunburn, foot itch, prickly heat, insect bites, mouthwash
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
Dr. G. H. Tichenor Antiseptic Company
ID Number
MG.M-10418.01
catalog number
M-10418
accession number
246707
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Bilious afflictions, jaundice, dyspepsia, fever and ague, hypochondria, hysterics, flatulence, costiveness, diarrhea, indigestion, asthma, worms, catarrh, sick headache, liver complaintsCurrently not on
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Bilious afflictions, jaundice, dyspepsia, fever and ague, hypochondria, hysterics, flatulence, costiveness, diarrhea, indigestion, asthma, worms, catarrh, sick headache, liver complaints
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875-1883
maker
Newton, Israel
ID Number
MG.293320.1389
catalog number
293320.1389
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A positive cure for the liquor habit, allaying all desire for alcoholic stimulants, quieting and strengthening the nervous systemCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A positive cure for the liquor habit, allaying all desire for alcoholic stimulants, quieting and strengthening the nervous system
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1880
ca 1890
maker
Golden Specific Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1325
catalog number
293320.1325
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandula
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lame back, lumbago, gout, sprains, swellings and lameness, cuts, bruises, wounds and lacerations, burns and scalds, chilblains, frostbites, sore throat, quinsy, glandular swellings, headache, toothache, backache, soreness of chest, pain in side, pain in back, cramp in muscle and all deep-seated and muscular pains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1882
associated date
1882
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10243.05
catalog number
M-10243.05
accession number
241520
[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 1880
maker
Juventas Depot
ID Number
MG.M-10413.23
catalog number
M-10413.23
accession number
246707
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Biliousness, jaundice, dyspepsia, fever &ague, hypochondria, hysterics, flatulence, costiveness, diarhoea, indigestion, asthma, worms, catarrh, sick headache, liver complaints.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Biliousness, jaundice, dyspepsia, fever &ague, hypochondria, hysterics, flatulence, costiveness, diarhoea, indigestion, asthma, worms, catarrh, sick headache, liver complaints.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875-1883
maker
Newton, Israel
ID Number
MG.293320.1388
catalog number
293320.1388
accession number
293320

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