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.

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the blood, stomach, liver, and bowel troublesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the blood, stomach, liver, and bowel troubles
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
Maker
A. C. Meyer and Company
ID Number
1984.0782.031
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.031
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Promotes bowel activityCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Promotes bowel activity
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1924
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
distributor
Vendol Company
ID Number
1985.0460.108
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.108
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Stimulates the liver to produce an increased flow of bile; aids in the digestion of protein and fats; relieves constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Stimulates the liver to produce an increased flow of bile; aids in the digestion of protein and fats; relieves constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
After 1949
maker
Drew Pharmaceutical Company
ID Number
1985.0481.130
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.130
accession number
1985.0481
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Aids in relieving distress and discomforts of colds by its fourfold action -- as an analgesic, as an antipyretic, as an expectorant, and as a laxative.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Aids in relieving distress and discomforts of colds by its fourfold action -- as an analgesic, as an antipyretic, as an expectorant, and as a laxative. For relief of coughs, simple headaches and neuralgia, muscular aches, pains, and reducing fever due to colds.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1947
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Monticello Drug Company
ID Number
1985.0460.097
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.097
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
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Remove impurities from the blood, constipation and topor of the liver, indigestionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Remove impurities from the blood, constipation and topor of the liver, indigestion
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1891
maker
Dr. I.S. Johnson and Company
ID Number
1984.0782.143
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.143
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1984.0782.123
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.123
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: constipation, biliousness, torpid liver, offensive breath, coated tongueCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: constipation, biliousness, torpid liver, offensive breath, coated tongue
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr. Williams Medicine Company
ID Number
1984.0782.158
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.158
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: LaxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Laxative
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c.1908-1918
1908-1918
maker
Greer Drug Co.
ID Number
1984.0782.066
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.066
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A mild effective laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A mild effective laxative
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Miles Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.091
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.091
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To help ease the headache, runny nose, and aches and pains of common colds. Is a laxative.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To help ease the headache, runny nose, and aches and pains of common colds. Is a laxative.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1950
Associated Name
Sherman Pharmacy
distributor
Brown Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1985.0460.086
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.086
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: as a cathartic, 2 to 3 at night; constipation, 1 to 3 at night, for three nights; sick headache, 2 at commencement of attackCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: as a cathartic, 2 to 3 at night; constipation, 1 to 3 at night, for three nights; sick headache, 2 at commencement of attack
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Booth Hyomei Company
ID Number
1984.0782.023
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.023
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: laxative
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Alle-Rhume Company
ID Number
1985.0481.015
catalog number
1985.0481.015
accession number
1985.0481
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Quick Relief from Constipation, Headache, Dizziness, Biliousness, Torpid Lazy Liver, when due to Temporary Constipation.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Quick Relief from Constipation, Headache, Dizziness, Biliousness, Torpid Lazy Liver, when due to Temporary Constipation.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1925
maker
First National Laboratories, Inc.
ID Number
1982.0491.01
accession number
1982.0491
catalog number
1982.0491.01
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A laxative
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1946
maker
Allcock Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1984.0782.024
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.024
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For Gentle Dependable Overnight Relief of ConstipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For Gentle Dependable Overnight Relief of Constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
late 1980s
maker
Ex-Lax Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1985.0475.425
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.425
accession number
1985.0475
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Tonic-laxative and blood purifier. Cures constipation, sick headache, dyspepsia, biliousness, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Tonic-laxative and blood purifier. Cures constipation, sick headache, dyspepsia, biliousness, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
1895-1910
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Malena Company
ID Number
1984.0351.085
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.085
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For constipation, biliousness and headacheCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For constipation, biliousness and headache
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.076
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.076
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Tonic-laxative and blood purifier. Cures constipation, sick headache, dyspepsia, biliousness, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Tonic-laxative and blood purifier. Cures constipation, sick headache, dyspepsia, biliousness, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Malena Company
ID Number
1984.0351.086
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.086
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for "constipation with Gases in the Stomach and Intestines."Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for "constipation with Gases in the Stomach and Intestines."
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Name
Sherman Pharmacy
ID Number
1985.0460.067
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.067
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Impurities of blood, constipation, indigestion, dizziness, liver troubles, sick headacheCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Impurities of blood, constipation, indigestion, dizziness, liver troubles, sick headache
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Dr. I.S. Johnson and Company
ID Number
1984.0782.145
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.145
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Foley family pills for constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Foley family pills for constipation
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Foley and Company
Foley and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.068
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.068
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Dyspepsia, biliousness, constipation, heartburn, headache, indigestion, sour stomach or bad breath. Aids stomach and bowels. Laxative for those whose habits are sedentary.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Dyspepsia, biliousness, constipation, heartburn, headache, indigestion, sour stomach or bad breath. Aids stomach and bowels. Laxative for those whose habits are sedentary.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1930
ca 1900
ID Number
1984.0782.171
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.171
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: PurgativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Purgative
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1850 - 1900
Maker
A. H. Flanders, M.D.
ID Number
1984.0782.172
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.172

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.