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.

Date: 1890s

Haine's Golden Specific

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

Alden's Liniment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Sprains, bruises, fresh cuts and wounds, etc. Rheumatic affections. May also be used for strains, sprains, fresh wounds, harness galls, scratches etc., on horses and oxen.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Sprains, bruises, fresh cuts and wounds, etc. Rheumatic affections. May also be used for strains, sprains, fresh wounds, harness galls, scratches etc., on horses and oxen.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1890
maker
Alden Druggist and Apothecary
ID Number
MG.293320.1169
catalog number
293320.1169
accession number
293320

Madame Zadoc Porter's Curative Balsam

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1875-1899
maker
Madame Zadoc Porter
ID Number
MG.293320.1601
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1601

Ballard's Horehound Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the instand relief and certain cure of consumption, coughs, colds, asthma, dry hackingcough, loss of voice, irritation of throat, soreness of chest, croup, spitting of blood, influenza, lung fever,
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the instand relief and certain cure of consumption, coughs, colds, asthma, dry hackingcough, loss of voice, irritation of throat, soreness of chest, croup, spitting of blood, influenza, lung fever, whooping cough, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1893
maker
Ballard Snow Liniment Co.
ID Number
MG.M-10719.04
catalog number
M-10719
accession number
254860

Shaker Digestive Cordial

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For dyspepsia and all diseases arising from deranged digestionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For dyspepsia and all diseases arising from deranged digestion
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1890
maker
A. J. White, Limited
ID Number
MG.M-10426.44
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Frey's Vermifuge

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1871-
c. 1871- 1890
ID Number
MG.M-10755.02
catalog number
M-10755.02
accession number
256193

Dr Johnson's Catarrh and Headache Cure

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1890
maker
J.G. Johnson
ID Number
MG.M-10719.27
catalog number
M-10719
accession number
254860

McArthur Syrup of the Hypophosphites of Lime & Soda

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875-1899
maker
McArthur
ID Number
MG.293320.1612
catalog number
MG*293320.1612
accession number
293320

Moses Dame's Wine of the Woods

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875-1899
maker
Moses Dame
ID Number
MG.293320.1605
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1605

Dr Johnson's Catarrh and Headache Cure

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1890
maker
J.G. Johnson
ID Number
MG.M-10719.25
catalog number
M-10719
accession number
254860

The Inspirator and Great Geneva Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For catarrh, hay fever, asthma, bronchitis, catarrhal deafness, colds, headaches, including early consumption, and all diseases where the nerves, muscles and tissues of the head, throat and lungs are involvedCu
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For catarrh, hay fever, asthma, bronchitis, catarrhal deafness, colds, headaches, including early consumption, and all diseases where the nerves, muscles and tissues of the head, throat and lungs are involved
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1890
maker
National Inspirator Co.
ID Number
MG.M-10420
catalog number
M-10420
accession number
246707

Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1875-1899
maker
Dr. Pierce
ID Number
MG.293320.1615
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1615

Dr. D. Jayne's Alterative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the cure of scrofula, King's Evil, white swellings, ulcers; scrofulous, cancerous and indolent tumours; mercurial and scrofulous affectation; rheumatism, gout, scurvy, neuralgia or tic douloureux; ca
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the cure of scrofula, King's Evil, white swellings, ulcers; scrofulous, cancerous and indolent tumours; mercurial and scrofulous affectation; rheumatism, gout, scurvy, neuralgia or tic douloureux; cancer, goitre or bronchocele.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1890
ca 1880
ca. 1890
ca. 1880
maker
Dr. D. Jayne and Son
ID Number
MG.M-10426.13
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Ayre's Diarrhoea Cure

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: disordered stomach and bowelsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: disordered stomach and bowels
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c 1890
ca 1890
maker
E. F. Ayres
ID Number
MG.293320.1178
catalog number
293320.1178
accession number
293320

Weismann's Bitterer Ansatz

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For constipation, dyspepsia, fever and ague, piles, jaundice, headache, female irregularities, malaria, impurities of blood, rheumatismCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For constipation, dyspepsia, fever and ague, piles, jaundice, headache, female irregularities, malaria, impurities of blood, rheumatism
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1890
maker
A. W. Weismann
ID Number
MG.M-12151.26
catalog number
314016.30
M-12151
accession number
271464

Dr. Pierce's Alterative Extract or Golden Medical Discovery

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For the cure of all severe, chronic or lingering coughs, bronchitis, laryngitis, weak lungs, bleeding from lungs, public speaker's sore throat, hoarseness and suppression or loss of voice.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For the cure of all severe, chronic or lingering coughs, bronchitis, laryngitis, weak lungs, bleeding from lungs, public speaker's sore throat, hoarseness and suppression or loss of voice. A remedy for torpor of liver (generally termed "liver complaint" or "biliousness") and for habitual constipation of the bowels. For loss of appetite, indigestion and dyspepsia, and for general nervous disability or prostration, in either sex. An alterative, or blood purifier; valuable in all forms of scrofulous and other blood diseases. For skin diseases, eruptions, pimples, rashes and blotches, boils, ulcers, sores, and swellings, arising from impure blood.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1890-1906
ca 1898
ca 1900
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup11]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Dr Johnson's Catarrh and Headache Cure

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1890
maker
J.G. Johnson
ID Number
MG.M-10719.26
catalog number
M-10719
accession number
254860

Dr Johnson's Catarrh and Headache Cure

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1890
maker
J.G. Johnson
ID Number
MG.M-10719.23
catalog number
M-10719
accession number
254860

Madam Zadoc Porter Cough Balsam

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875-1899
maker
Madame Zadoc Porter
ID Number
MG.293320.1600
catalog number
293320.1600
accession number
293320

Syrup of Figs and Elixir of Senna

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875-1899
maker
California Fig Syrup Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1608
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1608

Sa-Yo Italian Mint Jujubes

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For coughs and throat irritationsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For coughs and throat irritations
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1897
maker
Wallace and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1361
catalog number
293320.1361
accession number
293320

Ayre's Diarrhoea Cure

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Cholera, dysentery, diarrheaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Cholera, dysentery, diarrhea
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1890
maker
E. F. Ayres
ID Number
MG.293320.1175
catalog number
293320.1175
accession number
293320

Warner's Safe Rheumatic Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For sciatica, lumbago, neuralgia, gout, and all rheumatic affectionsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For sciatica, lumbago, neuralgia, gout, and all rheumatic affections
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
date made
ca 1920
maker
Warner's Safe Remedies Company
ID Number
MG.M-10409.11
catalog number
M-10409
accession number
246707

Dr Johnson's Catarrh and Headache Cure

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1890
maker
J.G. Johnson
ID Number
MG.M-10719.28
catalog number
M-10719
accession number
254860

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