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.

Browse
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
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup24]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1938
circa 1920
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
2008.0018.024
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.024
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1985.0481.045
catalog number
1985.0481.045
accession number
1985.0481
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
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
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: catarrh, cold in head, hay fever, chronic nasal catarrh, earache and inflammation of nasal passages. Cleansing antiseptic and germicidalCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: catarrh, cold in head, hay fever, chronic nasal catarrh, earache and inflammation of nasal passages. Cleansing antiseptic and germicidal
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81508V05
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Colic, Dysentery, Diarrohea and Summer Complaint.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Colic, Dysentery, Diarrohea and Summer Complaint.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906-1938
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.274347.227
catalog number
247347.227
M-12141
accession number
247347
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
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
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
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For round wormsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For round worms
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.059
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.059
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Valuable for hoarseness, tickling sensation of the throat, and coughing, inflamed or irritated conditions of the mucous membranes of the throat resulting from colds, coughs, or sore throatCurrently not o
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Valuable for hoarseness, tickling sensation of the throat, and coughing, inflamed or irritated conditions of the mucous membranes of the throat resulting from colds, coughs, or sore throat
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.006
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.006
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
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the cure of dyspepsia, Indigestion, Heartburn, Flatulence, Sour Stomach, Nausea, Sick Stomach, Headache, Gastralgia, cramps and other results of imperfect digestion.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the cure of dyspepsia, Indigestion, Heartburn, Flatulence, Sour Stomach, Nausea, Sick Stomach, Headache, Gastralgia, cramps and other results of imperfect digestion.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
before 1906
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.42
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup18]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193
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
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 [dup58]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup42]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193
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
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An Unequaled Preaparation for the Immediate Relief and Permanent cure of All Diseases of the Throat, Bronchial Tubes and Lungs Including Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Coughs, Colds, Asthma, Quinsy, Whooping Co
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An Unequaled Preaparation for the Immediate Relief and Permanent cure of All Diseases of the Throat, Bronchial Tubes and Lungs Including Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Coughs, Colds, Asthma, Quinsy, Whooping Cough, Sore Throat, Night Sweats, Difficult Respiration, Pains in the Chest, Hemorrhages of the Lungs.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1894-1906
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup41]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193
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 [dup57]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193
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 [dup25]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193
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

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