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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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: Philadelphia

Helps

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For minor throat irritationsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For minor throat irritations
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1934
maker
National Licorice Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1306
catalog number
293320.1306
accession number
293320

Massettes

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the throat and voice. Dissolve one on the tongue, occassionally.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the throat and voice. Dissolve one on the tongue, occassionally.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hoffman, C. Elbert
ID Number
MG.313462.137
accession number
313462
catalog number
313462.137

La Franco Periodical Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Emmenagogue. For delayed, irregular, suppressed or painful monthly periodsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Emmenagogue. For delayed, irregular, suppressed or painful monthly periods
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
maker
La Franco Medical Company
ID Number
1984.0782.110
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.110

Dr. Shallenberger's Fever & Ague Antidote

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Fever and ague antidoteCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Fever and ague antidote
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
maker
A. T. Shallenberger and Company
ID Number
1984.0782.184
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.184

Dr. John Hooper's Female Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: remedy against general female complaintsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: remedy against general female complaints
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c.1908-1918
date made
1908-1918
maker
H. B. Taylor Druggist
ID Number
1984.0782.092
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.092

Schenck's Mandrake Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For biliousness and associated conditions due to constipation.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For biliousness and associated conditions due to constipation.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr. J. H. Schenck & Son
ID Number
MG.293320.1367
catalog number
293320.1367
accession number
293320

Eckman's Alterative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Throat and lung diseases: tuberculosis (consumption); catarrhal bronchitis; bronchial asthma and stubborn coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Throat and lung diseases: tuberculosis (consumption); catarrhal bronchitis; bronchial asthma and stubborn colds
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Eckman Mfg. Co.
ID Number
MG.274347.183
catalog number
274347.183
accession number
274347
catalog number
M-12141
274347.183

Wyalin Physiological Laxative and Cholagogue

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Treatment of bilious constipation and as a tonic laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Treatment of bilious constipation and as a tonic laxative
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
maker
John Wyeth and Brother
ID Number
MG.293320.1292
catalog number
293320.1292
accession number
293320

Utah Kidney Beans

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Cures all troubles of the kidneys, bladder and urinary organs. Dissolves and expels gravel or stone from the bladder.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Cures all troubles of the kidneys, bladder and urinary organs. Dissolves and expels gravel or stone from the bladder.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Turners
ID Number
MG.M-10413.35
catalog number
M-10413.35
accession number
246707

"Dr D Jayne's Alterative"

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: of established efficacy in Purifying the Blood, and for curing Scrofula, Goitre, Dropsy, Salt Rheum, Epilepsy, Cancers, and Diseases of the Skin and BonesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: of established efficacy in Purifying the Blood, and for curing Scrofula, Goitre, Dropsy, Salt Rheum, Epilepsy, Cancers, and Diseases of the Skin and Bones
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1851
maker
Dr. D. Jayne and Son
ID Number
MG.256193.345
catalog number
M-10755
accession number
256193
catalog number
256193.345

Jayne's Vermifuge

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the removal of round worms, neutralizing hyperacidity of the stomach, flatulance, wind colicCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the removal of round worms, neutralizing hyperacidity of the stomach, flatulance, wind colic
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
maker
Dr. D. Jayne and Son
ID Number
MG.293320.1215
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1215

Dr. Hand's Pleasant Physic

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For relief of infants, children, or adults suffering from constipation. Especial value during pregnancy, after confinement, and in obstinate constipation.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For relief of infants, children, or adults suffering from constipation. Especial value during pregnancy, after confinement, and in obstinate constipation. Stimulates the liver, tones the bowels, and does not gripe.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Hand Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-12151.04
accession number
271464
catalog number
M-12151

Bromo Soda

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For sick and nervous headache, indigestion and insomnia, sleeplessness, excessive study, dyspepsia, acute migraine, nervous debility, mania, depression following alcoholic and other excessives, mental and physi
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For sick and nervous headache, indigestion and insomnia, sleeplessness, excessive study, dyspepsia, acute migraine, nervous debility, mania, depression following alcoholic and other excessives, mental and physical exhaustion, brain fatigue, sea sickness
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
ID Number
MG.M-10410.12
catalog number
M-10410
accession number
246707

Eckman's Alterative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For all throat and lung diseases including bronchitis, bronchial catarrh, asthma, hay fever, coughs and colds, catarrh of the stomach and bowels, and tuberculosis (consumption)Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For all throat and lung diseases including bronchitis, bronchial catarrh, asthma, hay fever, coughs and colds, catarrh of the stomach and bowels, and tuberculosis (consumption)
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Eckman Manufacturing Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1293
catalog number
293320.1293
accession number
293320

Dr. D. Jayne's Sanative Pills for Liver Complaints

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For biliousness, liver complaint, sick headache, dyspepsia, indigestion, jaundice, and constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For biliousness, liver complaint, sick headache, dyspepsia, indigestion, jaundice, and constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
D. Jayne and Son
ID Number
MG.M-10413.34
catalog number
M-10413.34
accession number
246707

Schenck's Mandrake Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For biliousness and associated conditions due to constipation.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For biliousness and associated conditions due to constipation.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr. J. H. Schenck & Son
ID Number
MG.293320.1366
catalog number
293320.1366
accession number
293320

Cherokee Liniment

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Louden & Co.
ID Number
MG.293320.1118
catalog number
293320.1118
accession number
293320

Schenck's Mandrake Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For biliousness and associated conditions due to constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For biliousness and associated conditions due to constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1869
after 1872
maker
Dr. J. H. Schenck & Son
ID Number
MG.293320.1365
catalog number
293320.1365
accession number
293320

Pil. Nephritic (Diuretic)

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For painful urination, scanty or highly-colored urine, dropsy, general or local, diabetesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For painful urination, scanty or highly-colored urine, dropsy, general or local, diabetes
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
maker
Henry K. Wampole and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1270
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1270

Crotzer's Bromo-Mint

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A safe remedy for headache, heartburn, sour or sick stomach, train and sea-sicknessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A safe remedy for headache, heartburn, sour or sick stomach, train and sea-sickness
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1925
maker
Bromo-Mint Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1256
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1256

Dr H Swayne's Compound Syrup of Wild Cherry

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Coughs, colds, weak voice, short breath, night sweats, bronchitis, asthma, all throat, breast and lung affections.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Coughs, colds, weak voice, short breath, night sweats, bronchitis, asthma, all throat, breast and lung affections.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1838-1906
date made
1838-1858
maker
Swayne, Huson
ID Number
MG.M-10426.64
accession number
246707
catalog number
M-10426

Jayne's Vermifuge

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the removal of round worms, neutralizing hyperacidity of the stomach, flatulence, wind colicCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the removal of round worms, neutralizing hyperacidity of the stomach, flatulence, wind colic
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
maker
Dr. D. Jayne and Son
ID Number
MG.293320.1214
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1214

Dr. Swayne's Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A prompt purifiying medicine; removes all unhealthy bilious secretions of the stomach, liver, bowels, bladder and kidneys; purifies the blood causing a perfect state of healthCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A prompt purifiying medicine; removes all unhealthy bilious secretions of the stomach, liver, bowels, bladder and kidneys; purifies the blood causing a perfect state of health
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1880
maker
Dr. Swayne and Son
ID Number
MG.M-10413.08
catalog number
M-10413.08
accession number
246707

Mason's Health Defenders Red Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: BronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Henry J. Mason
ID Number
MG.313462.047
catalog number
313462.47
accession number
313462

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