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: Chicago

Dr Pierre's Boro-Pheno-Form

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:An inhibitory antiseptic for vaginal useCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
An inhibitory antiseptic for vaginal use
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1915
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Dr. Pierre Chemical Co.
ID Number
1984.0351.055
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.055

Uriseptin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Diseases of the urinary tract and their complications -- Nephritis, Pyelitis, Urethritis, Gonorrhea, Gleet, Cystitis, Bacteriuria, Uremia, Phosphaturia, Prostatitis.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Diseases of the urinary tract and their complications -- Nephritis, Pyelitis, Urethritis, Gonorrhea, Gleet, Cystitis, Bacteriuria, Uremia, Phosphaturia, Prostatitis. Diseases dependent on uric acid diathesis -- Gout, Rheumatism, Calculus, Asthma and generally as an antiseptic and uric acid solvent.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
maker
Gardner-Barada Chemical Company
ID Number
1984.0782.202
catalog number
1984.0782.202
accession number
1984.0782

Dr. Hobb's Little Liver Pills (Takeapill)

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: On liver, stomach, and bowels, dispelling headaches, fevers, and coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: On liver, stomach, and bowels, dispelling headaches, fevers, and colds
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1896
maker
Hobbs Remedy Company
ID Number
1984.0782.081
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.081

DeWitt's Tablets for Round Worms

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For round wormsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For round worms
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.059
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.059

Mayr's Wonderful Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: aliments such as gastric dispepsia and resulting indigestion, gases in the stomach and intestines, dizziness, and fainting spells, colic attacks torpid liver, constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: aliments such as gastric dispepsia and resulting indigestion, gases in the stomach and intestines, dizziness, and fainting spells, colic attacks torpid liver, constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1910
maker
George H. Mayr's Manufacturing Chemist
ID Number
1984.0782.120
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.120

Hamlin's Wizard Oil Liniment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For soothing counterirritant relief in muscular aches, pains, stiffness of neck, shoulders, back, sides and limbs when due to overexertion or exposure.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For soothing counterirritant relief in muscular aches, pains, stiffness of neck, shoulders, back, sides and limbs when due to overexertion or exposure. Eases the pain of minor strains and sprains, minor frost bites, mild sunburn and non-venomous insect bites and stings.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1941-1946
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Hamlin's Wizard Oil Company
ID Number
1985.0460.051
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.051

Beggs' Soothing Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Cures wind colic, cramps, dysentery, canker sore mouth, and banishes painCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Cures wind colic, cramps, dysentery, canker sore mouth, and banishes pain
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
before 1906
maker
Beggs Manufacturing Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.73
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Cascasweet

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup36]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Crane's Corn Remover

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Removal of corns and callusesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Removal of corns and calluses
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
Crane Medicine Co.
ID Number
MG.293320.1203
catalog number
293320.1203
accession number
293320

Crane's Quinine and Tar Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: expectorant for coughs, colds, hoarseness, tickling in throat, bronchial coughs and coughs from La Grippe; mildly laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: expectorant for coughs, colds, hoarseness, tickling in throat, bronchial coughs and coughs from La Grippe; mildly laxative
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 5/5/1921
maker
Crane Medicine Co.
ID Number
MG.M-09909
catalog number
M-09909
accession number
238503

Trial Bottle of Dr. King's New Discovery for Consumption

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:By taking the contents of this small bottle, you will readily perceive the remarkable curative qualities of this great New Discovery for Consumption, Coughs, Colds, and all Diseases of the Throat, Chest and Lun
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
By taking the contents of this small bottle, you will readily perceive the remarkable curative qualities of this great New Discovery for Consumption, Coughs, Colds, and all Diseases of the Throat, Chest and Lungs, which will convince you of its wonderful merits, and show you what can be done by a regular one dollar size bottle. Give it a trial. Dose for adults one teaspoonful every three hours.
Proprietary (patent) medicine makers employed a wide array of advertising and marketing techniques to sell their products. The free sample, or trial size, was one of these. Dr. King's New Discovery, developed by Dr. Z. L. King of Elkhart, Indianna, was purchased by Herbert E. Bucklen around 1878. Bucklen spent lavishly on advertising which brought national recognition to his New Discovery and other medicines.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1905
maker
H.E. Bucklen and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1232
catalog number
293320.1232
accession number
293320

Kodol Dyspepsia Cure

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the cure of dyspepsia, Indigestion, Heartburn, Flatulence, Sour Stomach, Nausea, Sick Stomach, Headache, Gastralgia, cramps and other results of imperfect digestion.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the cure of dyspepsia, Indigestion, Heartburn, Flatulence, Sour Stomach, Nausea, Sick Stomach, Headache, Gastralgia, cramps and other results of imperfect digestion.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
before 1906
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.42
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup18]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup56]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Dr. Jos. Lister & Co.

[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 1910
maker
Joseph Lister and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.3021
catalog number
293320.3021
accession number
293320

Dr. Donnelly's Tonic Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Relieves tired feeling and fatigueCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Relieves tired feeling and fatigue
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1938
maker
Griffin Drug Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.05
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup58]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Cascasweet

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup42]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Pastor Koenig's Nervine

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Epilespy; Sleep Restorer; Falling Sickness; Fits; After Effects of Inebriety; HystericsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Epilespy; Sleep Restorer; Falling Sickness; Fits; After Effects of Inebriety; Hysterics
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906 - 1916
maker
Koenig Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.20
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707
246707

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup21]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
2256198
256193

One Minute Cough Cure

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An Unequaled Preaparation for the Immediate Relief and Permanent cure of All Diseases of the Throat, Bronchial Tubes and Lungs Including Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Coughs, Colds, Asthma, Quinsy, Whooping Co
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An Unequaled Preaparation for the Immediate Relief and Permanent cure of All Diseases of the Throat, Bronchial Tubes and Lungs Including Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Coughs, Colds, Asthma, Quinsy, Whooping Cough, Sore Throat, Night Sweats, Difficult Respiration, Pains in the Chest, Hemorrhages of the Lungs.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1894-1906
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup41]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup57]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup25]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Cascasweet

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A corrective for regulating the stomach and bowels of infants and children.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A corrective for regulating the stomach and bowels of infants and children. For Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Summer Complaints, Constipation, Worms, Sonvulsions, Teething, Wind Colic, Vomiting of Sour Curd, Mad-Assimilation of Food , Sour Stomach Feverishness and Want to Sleep.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup37]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

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