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.

Place: Illinois

Dr. Caldwell's Improved Prescription Powders

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains, periodic pains, simple nervousnessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains, periodic pains, simple nervousness
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
1978.0883.231.K
catalog number
1978.0883.231.K
accession number
1978.0883

Arteriole

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: High blood pressure; hypertension; autointoxications and arteriosclerosis or hardened arteries; not only to lessen high blood pressure but to relieve the intestinal toxemia which is so marked a factor i
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: High blood pressure; hypertension; autointoxications and arteriosclerosis or hardened arteries; not only to lessen high blood pressure but to relieve the intestinal toxemia which is so marked a factor in arterial tension
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
After 1906
maker
Orion Pharmaceutical Co.
ID Number
MG.274347.177
catalog number
274347.177
accession number
274347

DeWitt's Creosant Expectorant

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

Dr. Caldwell's Improved Prescription Powders

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains, periodic pains, simple nervousnessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains, periodic pains, simple nervousness
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
1978.0883.231.C
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.231.C

Dr. Caldwell's Improved Prescription Powders

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains, periodic pains, simple nervousnessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains, periodic pains, simple nervousness
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
1978.0883.231.G
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.231.G

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

Dulcet Aspirin, 1 grain, (Sugar Tablets, Abbott)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Abbott Laboratories
ID Number
MG.311682.0613
catalog number
311682.0613
accession number
311682

Jacques Ess Jamaica Ginger

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.3006.155
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.155

Wakefield's Blackberry Balsam Compound

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
after 1946
maker
Dr. C. Wakefield and Company
ID Number
2008.0018.250
catalog number
2008.0018.250
accession number
2008.0018

Murine Eye Remedy

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.3006.168
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.168

Dr. Scholl's Foot Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A soothing application for massaging the feet. Aids in relieving sensitive, tired feet, tenderness, burning sensation and muscular soreness caused by exertion and fatigue.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A soothing application for massaging the feet. Aids in relieving sensitive, tired feet, tenderness, burning sensation and muscular soreness caused by exertion and fatigue.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1960s
maker
Scholl Manufacturing Company
ID Number
2008.0018.260
catalog number
2008.0018.260
accession number
2008.0018

Dr. Caldwell's Improved Prescription Powders

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains, periodic pains, simple nervousnessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains, periodic pains, simple nervousness
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
1978.0883.231.I
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.231.I

Dulcet Aspirin (Aluminum Salt), 1 1/4 grs.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Abbott Laboratories
ID Number
1985.0475.106
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.106

Morton Salt Tablets, 10 Grain, 100

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1976
maker
Morton - Norwich Products
ID Number
1986.0198.026
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.026

Dr. S.A. Richmond's Celebrated Nervine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2000.0137.074
accession number
2000.0137
catalog number
2000.0137.074

Foley's Cream

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
2008.3006.127
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.127

Dewitt's Colic Medicine

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

No-To-Bac

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Guaranteed remedy for the tobacco habit in every form. Helps make weak men strong.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Guaranteed remedy for the tobacco habit in every form. Helps make weak men strong. Six to ten tablets daily, taken persistently, will not only dispose of the tobacco-habit, but improve digestion and make the thin man gain weight and vital strength. NO-TO-BAC will make the blood pure and full of life, and has been used with good effect by men advanced in years. NO-TO-BAC is perfectly harmless and can be used as a tonic for sexual weakness by man or woman.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1914
date made
1906-1908
maker
Sterling Remedy Company
American Can Company
ID Number
2001.0073.2
catalog number
2001.0073.2
accession number
2001.0073

Pinus Medication Co. Fruitola

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Pinus Medicine Company
ID Number
2008.3006.128
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.128

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's Pain Relief

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: This preparation is recommended for bowel complaints, colic and diarrhoea, summer complaint, cholera morbus and bowel troubles.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: This preparation is recommended for bowel complaints, colic and diarrhoea, summer complaint, cholera morbus and bowel troubles. Externall for rheumatic and neuralgic pains, lame back, lumbago, swellings, bruises, sprains, chilblains, frost bites, sore throat and toothache. Is excellent for colic in horses.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
2008.0018.230
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.230

Dr. Caldwell's Improved Prescription Powders

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains, periodic pains, simple nervousnessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains, periodic pains, simple nervousness
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
1978.0883.231.H
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.231.H

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

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