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.

Topic: Health & Medicine

Tiger Balm

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1988
ID Number
1989.0196.032
catalog number
1989.0196.032
accession number
1989.0196

Spencer's Fumigating Diphtheritic Pastilles - A Fumar Antiseptic for the Prophylactic and Specific Treatment of Diphtheria

The indications or uses of this product as provided on the packaging are:The inclosed pastilles are so compounded as to be absolutely harmless to the human economy, while their fumes effectually destroy all contagious, putrefactive and disease-bearing germs.No matter what the exp
Description
The indications or uses of this product as provided on the packaging are:
The inclosed pastilles are so compounded as to be absolutely harmless to the human economy, while their fumes effectually destroy all contagious, putrefactive and disease-bearing germs.
No matter what the exposure may be, these burning pastilles will positively prevent the spreading and communicating of diphtheria, small-pox, scarlet fever and allied epidemic diseases.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890
maker
Spencer, Thomas D.
ID Number
MG.M-11460.03
catalog number
M-11460.03
accession number
260557

C.G. Griswold's Family Salve, or Plaster

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For corns, callouses, warts, hangnails, insect bites and general use. Promotes healing if skin condition is of external origin.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For corns, callouses, warts, hangnails, insect bites and general use. Promotes healing if skin condition is of external origin.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Griswold Salve Corporation
ID Number
MG.314016.012
catalog number
314016.012
accession number
314016

Bayer Aspirin Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Dose 1 to 3 tablets taken with water. The trademark "Aspirin" (reg. U. S. pat.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Dose 1 to 3 tablets taken with water. The trademark "Aspirin" (reg. U. S. pat. office) is a guarantee that the monoaceticacidester of salicylicacid in these tablets is of the reliable Bayer manufacture.
in 1915 Bayer began producing tablets of aspirin and marketing them directly to the public as "Bayer Tablets of Aspirin." Prior to this time the popular drug was sold only to medical professionals, pharmacists and pharmaceutical firms. Bayer stamped each tablet of aspirin with the company logo, the Bayer Cross. The company launched this new marketing strategy in anticipation of the expiration of their aspirin patent in 1917.
date made
ca 1917
maker
Bayer Company, Inc.
ID Number
MG.314637.12600
catalog number
314637.12600
accession number
314637

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

Tiger Balm

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.01
catalog number
M-06892.01
accession number
210760

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

Grove's Chill Tonic

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1941 - 1945
maker
Grove Laboratories
ID Number
2012.0165.011
catalog number
2012.0165.011
accession number
2012.0165

Mulford Violets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Sweetens the breathCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Sweetens the breath
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
H. K. Mulford Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1251
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1251

Tiger Balm

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.02
catalog number
M-06892.02
accession number
210760

Atophan - Trial Sample

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
trademark date (Atophan)
1911-12-26
maker
Schering & Glatz
ID Number
2017.0184.046
catalog number
2017.0184.046
accession number
2017.0184

Dr. Scholl's Foot Powder - Antiseptic and Deodorant

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Antispetic and deodorant for the feetCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Antispetic and deodorant for the feet
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Scholl Manufacturing Company
ID Number
2008.0018.261
catalog number
2008.0018.261
accession number
2008.0018

RFT Lotion Medicated Acne Preparation

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Norex Laboratories
ID Number
1985.0475.530
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.530

Imperial I.E.R. Lotion for Skin and Scalp

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Bourland, Jim
ID Number
1985.0475.445
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.445

Scott's Emulsion

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Scott's Emulsion, Active Ingredient Cod Liver Oil, four times easier to digest than plain Cod Liver Oil.Guarantee: We guarantee that Scott’s Emulsion when assayed biologically contained sufficient Vitamin A and
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Scott's Emulsion, Active Ingredient Cod Liver Oil, four times easier to digest than plain Cod Liver Oil.
Guarantee: We guarantee that Scott’s Emulsion when assayed biologically contained sufficient Vitamin A and Vitamin D units to meet the daily dosage requirements of the Council of Pharmacy and Chemistry of the American Medical Association and furnishes full minimum daily requirements for these vitamins if taken as recommended below.
Children: Scott's Emulsion should be given to children to help build resistance to rickets and to aid in growth of bone structure and development of teeth.
Adults: In cases where there is a lack of Vitamin A, Scott's Emulsion presents a palatable way in which to help overcome this deficiency, and help build resistance to colds.
As a Year Around Tonic: Scott's Emulsion is an excellent protection against deficiencies in Vitamin A and D which may occur at any season of the year.
Dosage: Adults and Children: 1 tablespoonful two or three times daily after meals.
date made
ca 1950s
maker
Eno-Scott & Bowne
ID Number
2008.0018.243
catalog number
2008.0018.243
accession number
2008.0018

Clearasil Maximum Strength Vanishing Creme

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1997
distributor
Procter & Gamble Company
ID Number
1998.0102.11
catalog number
1998.0102.11
accession number
1998.0102

Tiger Balm

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.10
catalog number
M-06892.10
accession number
210760

Fritch's Salve

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:for the relief of old sores, piles, eczema, catarrh, chapped hands, scalds, burns, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
for the relief of old sores, piles, eczema, catarrh, chapped hands, scalds, burns, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
J. A. Fritch Products
ID Number
2008.0018.132
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.132

Vaseline Camphor Ice

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For chapped hands & lips, sun & wind burn, rough skinCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For chapped hands & lips, sun & wind burn, rough skin
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Chesebrough Manufacturing Company
ID Number
2008.0018.169
catalog number
2008.0018.169
accession number
2008.0018

Ourine Nasal Balm

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0481.091
catalog number
1985.0481.091
accession number
1985.0481

Tanac

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Commerce Drug Company
ID Number
1985.0475.572
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.572

Arnold's Balsam

[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
after 1840
maker
Dr. S. Arnold
ID Number
MG.293320.1165
catalog number
293320.1165
accession number
293320

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

Vendol

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Promotes bowel activityCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Promotes bowel activity
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1924
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
distributor
Vendol Company
ID Number
1985.0460.108
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.108

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