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.

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.

Name: Reid Drugstore

Mead's Dextri-Maltose B, with Yeast Extract and Iron

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Mead Johnson Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.138
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.138

Casec

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Mead Johnson Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.144
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.144

Foley Family Pills for Constipation

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.072
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.072

Cofron Elixir

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Abbott Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.148
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.148

Aspirin Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1935
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1984.0351.196B
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.196B

Mrs. Price's Special Prepared Boric Acid

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Price Compound Company
ID Number
1984.0351.126
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.126

Foley Family Pills for Biliousness Constipation & Headaches

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.075
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.075

Pineoleum, Trial Size

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the relief of catarrhal conditions of mucous membranes. Recommended in nose and throat disease. When placed in the nose and throat allays irritation and soothes inflammation.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the relief of catarrhal conditions of mucous membranes. Recommended in nose and throat disease. When placed in the nose and throat allays irritation and soothes inflammation. The ideal remedy in La Grippe and Influenza.
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Pineolum Co.
ID Number
1984.0351.056
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.056

Bayer Tablets of Aspirin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Bayer Company, Inc.
ID Number
1984.0351.195
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.195

Mrs. Price's Special Prepared Boric Acid

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Price Compound Company
ID Number
1984.0351.127
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.127

Paracin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Antiseptic. Germicidal. For masculine hygieneCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Antiseptic. Germicidal. For masculine hygiene
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
ID Number
1984.0351.116
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.116

DeWitt's Catarrhal Cream

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

Beta Lactose

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Borden Company
ID Number
1984.0351.145
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.145

Menthol Inhaler

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
National Pharmacy Company
ID Number
1984.0351.058
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.058

Paracin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For masculine hygiene. Antiseptic. GermicdalCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For masculine hygiene. Antiseptic. Germicdal
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
ID Number
1984.0351.114
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.114

Murine for Your Eyes

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Cleanses, soothes, and refreshes the eyes. Cleans eyes of dust, smoke, dirt, and other irritants.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Cleanses, soothes, and refreshes the eyes. Cleans eyes of dust, smoke, dirt, and other irritants.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1951
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Murine Company, Inc.
ID Number
1984.0351.031
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.031

Viosterol in Oil, 20 Cc (Abbott's)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Abbott Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.216
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.216

Foley Family Pills for Constipation

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.070
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.070

Rhinalgen Nasal Solution

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A nasal solution to be dispensed only be a physician.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A nasal solution to be dispensed only be a physician.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1955
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Doho Chemical Corp.
ID Number
1984.0351.038
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.038

Varlex Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A treatment for the liquor and tobacco habit.Directions: A teaspoonful should be given 3 times a day at meal time until the patient quits drinking or the use of tobacco in every form.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A treatment for the liquor and tobacco habit.
Directions: A teaspoonful should be given 3 times a day at meal time until the patient quits drinking or the use of tobacco in every form. 1/2 to 1/4 teaspoonful at a dose if under 18 years.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908-1918
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Varlex Mfg. Co.
ID Number
1984.0351.128
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.128

Foley Family Pills for Constipation

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.073
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.073

Anasarcin Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Gives relief in dropsical effusions whether caused by heart, liver or kidney diseaseCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Gives relief in dropsical effusions whether caused by heart, liver or kidney disease
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1903
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Anasarcin Chemical Company
ID Number
1984.0351.024
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.024

Takazyme

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.066
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.066

Phillips Mint Flavored Milk of Magnesia Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Chas. H. Phillips Chemical Company
ID Number
1984.0351.079
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.079

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.