Balm of America: Patent Medicine Collection

Balm of America Banner image, a collection of medicine

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.

Dill's Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: throat and lung troubles, coughs, colds, asthma, bronchitis, catarrhCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: throat and lung troubles, coughs, colds, asthma, bronchitis, catarrh
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-aprox. 1918
maker
Dill Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.314016.072
catalog number
314016.72
accession number
314016

Hart's Swedish Asthma and Hay Fever Cure

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For asthma and hay feverCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For asthma and hay fever
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1904
maker
Hart's Swedish Asthma Cure Company
ID Number
MG.M-10415.02
catalog number
M-10415
accession number
246707

Wills English Formula Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For biliousness constipation and liver complaint.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For biliousness constipation and liver complaint.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Wells, Richardson and Company
ID Number
1980.0698.057
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.057

Gen-U-Aids

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Genuaid Company
ID Number
1985.0481.065
catalog number
1985.0481.065
accession number
1985.0481

Brooks' Baby Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A soothing quiet remedy to regulate the stomach and bowels of infants and children. For teething troubles, summer complaint, diarrhea and constipation.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A soothing quiet remedy to regulate the stomach and bowels of infants and children. For teething troubles, summer complaint, diarrhea and constipation. A laxative, sedative, digestive, neutralizing, aromatic, and antiseptic. Equally effectual for diarrheas and bowel troubles in adults.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
William Brooks Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10414.05
catalog number
M-10414
accession number
246707

Lynn's Ex-Ze-Em Ointment

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: To aid in the temporary relief of the discomfort of burning and itching accompanying eczemaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: To aid in the temporary relief of the discomfort of burning and itching accompanying eczema
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
Associated Name
Tupper's Pharmacy
maker
Lynn Chemical Company
ID Number
1980.0698.028
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.028

Hollis' Jaundice Bitters

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Thomas Hollis
ID Number
MG.M-10757.032
catalog number
M-10757.032
accession number
256193

Isodine Quik Stik

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
distributor
Isodine Pharmacal Corp.
ID Number
1985.0475.448
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.448
accession number
1985.0475

Modane soft

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Warren-Teed Laboratories
ID Number
1985.0475.483
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.483
accession number
1985.0475

Valentine's Preparation Meat-Juice

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1871
ID Number
MG.M-10426.19
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Dr Isaac Thompson's Eye Water

[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
ca 1900
maker
John L. Thompson Sons & Co.
ID Number
MG.M-10426.26
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Mills Native Herbs

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Mills Herb Company
ID Number
1980.0698.074
catalog number
1980.0698.074
accession number
1980.0698

Ideal Antiseptic Tablets

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

Iodex, Physician's Sample

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Menley and James, Ltd.
ID Number
MG.314016.103
catalog number
314016.103
accession number
314016.

Holloway's Ointment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the treatment of cuts, wounds, burns & bruises, inveterate ulcers, chilblains, chapped hands, insect bites, boils, bad legs &c.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the treatment of cuts, wounds, burns & bruises, inveterate ulcers, chilblains, chapped hands, insect bites, boils, bad legs &c.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Holloway, Thomas
ID Number
1980.0678.07
accession number
1980.0678
catalog number
1980.0678.07

Blair's Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1882
maker
H. Planten and Son
Prout & Harsant
ID Number
1981.0170.036
accession number
1981.0170
catalog number
1981.0170.036

Z. C. Alden's Catarrh Cure

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Catarrh, cold in the head, headache.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Catarrh, cold in the head, headache.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1872-1883
c. 1872-1883
maker
Z. C. Alden
ID Number
MG.M-12151.25B
catalog number
M-12151.25B
accession number
271464

King's Aspirin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1982.0350.12
accession number
1982.0350
catalog number
1982.0350.12

Dr Wilbur's Pain Cure

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-10719.12
catalog number
M-10719
accession number
254860

Judson's Autox-Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Judson Phamacal Company
ID Number
1978.0883.048.A
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.048.A

Santonin with Cascara Sagrada Syrup

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Winthrop-Stearns, Inc.
ID Number
1981.0219.091
accession number
1981.0219
catalog number
1981.0219.091

Foley Family Pills for Constipation

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.071
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.071

Warner's Safe Nervine

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For headache, neuralgia, insomnia and nervous prostrationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For headache, neuralgia, insomnia and nervous prostration
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1898
ca 1898
date made
ca 1920
maker
Warner's Safe Remedies Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.55
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707
246707

William R. Warner & Co.'s Original Pill Cascara Cathartic (Dr. Hinkle)

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For the relief of chronic and habitual constipation. Average Dose: 1 or 2 pillsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:
For the relief of chronic and habitual constipation. Average Dose: 1 or 2 pills
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
William R. Warner and Company
ID Number
MG.314016.122
catalog number
314016.122
accession number
314016

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