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.

Topic: Blood & Liver Drugs

Dr Miles' Blood Purifier

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Beneficial in conditions resulting from a depraved condition of the blood and affecting the nervous system, skin, mucous membranes, liver, kidneys, bones and glands, and in scrofula, chronic rheumatism,
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Beneficial in conditions resulting from a depraved condition of the blood and affecting the nervous system, skin, mucous membranes, liver, kidneys, bones and glands, and in scrofula, chronic rheumatism, pimples, ulcers, asthma and catarrh.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr. Miles Medical Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.11
catalog number
M-01426
accession number
246707

Pyramid Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For constipation, inactivity of the liver, eructations, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For constipation, inactivity of the liver, eructations, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Pyramid Drug Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.41
catalog number
M-10413
accession number
246707

Hood's Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For liver illsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For liver ills
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
before 1929
maker
C. I. Hood Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1315
catalog number
293320.1315
accession number
293320

Burdock Blood Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For dyspepsia and stomach troublesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For dyspepsia and stomach troubles
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1935
ID Number
MG.293320.1190
catalog number
293320.1190
accession number
293320

Ka-Ton-Ka

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For all blood diseases, stomach and liver difficulties, such as dyspepsia, biliousness, syphillis, scrofula, salt rheum, erysipelas, liver complaint, catarrh, rheumatism, enlargement of the liver, and diseases
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For all blood diseases, stomach and liver difficulties, such as dyspepsia, biliousness, syphillis, scrofula, salt rheum, erysipelas, liver complaint, catarrh, rheumatism, enlargement of the liver, and diseases of the kidneys
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
maker
Oregon Indian Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup20]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Thermaline

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For chills; fever; ague; dumb ague; intermittent fever; all malarial diseases; enlarged spleen; ague cake; remittent, intermittent, periodic, continuous, swamp, bilious, congestive and simple fevers; liver diso
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For chills; fever; ague; dumb ague; intermittent fever; all malarial diseases; enlarged spleen; ague cake; remittent, intermittent, periodic, continuous, swamp, bilious, congestive and simple fevers; liver disorders; kidney disease; jaundice; general debility; poverty of the blood; neuralgia; female debility; dyspepsia
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1880
maker
Dundas Dick and Company
ID Number
MG.M-12151.06A
catalog number
M-12151.06A
accession number
271464

Swaim's Panacea

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:An alterative and blood purifierCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
An alterative and blood purifier
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Swaim's Laboratory
ID Number
MG.M-10426.25
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

The N. C. (New Century) Stone Root Kidney Cure

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Positive relief and cure for all acute or chronic kidney, bladder or urinary disorders.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Positive relief and cure for all acute or chronic kidney, bladder or urinary disorders. It is a valuable remedy in Bright's Disease, gravel, stone in bladder, urinary calculi, uric acid deposits, rheumatism, catarrh of the bladder, pain in the back, headaches, inflammation of the kidney and liver, bladder and urinary passages, convulsions, incontinence of urine, and all blood, heart, skin and other diseases caused by deranged kidneys.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1895
maker
United States Pharmacal Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1264
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1264

Alexander's Liver and Kidney Tonic

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Neuralgic or rheumatic pains in the back, side or limbs, sick headache, liver complaint, kidney affections, dyspepsia, jaundice, loss of appetite, debility, giddiness, nervous diseases, weakness, and com
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Neuralgic or rheumatic pains in the back, side or limbs, sick headache, liver complaint, kidney affections, dyspepsia, jaundice, loss of appetite, debility, giddiness, nervous diseases, weakness, and complaints peculiar to females, and all diseases arising from a disordered stomach or liver
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1906
maker
W. W. Alexander and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10719.01
catalog number
M-10719
accession number
254860

Ramon's Liver Regulator

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For sluggish liver, biliousness, headaches and indigestion due to constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For sluggish liver, biliousness, headaches and indigestion due to constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
ID Number
MG.M-10410.10
catalog number
M-10410
accession number
246707

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

Carter's Little Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A laxative aiding bile flowCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A laxative aiding bile flow
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
maker
Carter Products Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1194
catalog number
293320.1194
accession number
293320

Dr. Sawen's Life Invigorating Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Dyspeptic remedy and blood purifyer.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Dyspeptic remedy and blood purifyer. A great tonic acting upon the stomach and liver correcting the secretions and providing a certain remedy for dyspepsia, liver compaints, biliousness, nervous debility, loss of appetite and all other diseases requiring a tonic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1870-1885
maker
Dr. W. Sawens and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1274
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1274

Rexall Little Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Regulation of the liverCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Regulation of the liver
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
maker
United Drug Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1356
catalog number
293320.1356
accession number
293320

Simmons Liver Purifier - A Regulator

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Regulator for constipation, fever, ague, biliousness, jaundies (sic), colic, and all diseases that arise from a torpid liverCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Regulator for constipation, fever, ague, biliousness, jaundies (sic), colic, and all diseases that arise from a torpid liver
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
Before 1906
maker
A. C. Simmons, Jr. Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.274347.266.B
catalog number
274347.266.B
M-12140
accession number
274347

Dr. Burkhart's Vegetable Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: In chronic cases of Constipation, Torpid Live, Stomach trouble, the patient should take two tablets the first night and one thereafterCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: In chronic cases of Constipation, Torpid Live, Stomach trouble, the patient should take two tablets the first night and one thereafter
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Burkhart, Dr. W. S.
ID Number
MG.313462.022
catalog number
313462.022
accession number
313462

Emerson's Modern Treatment

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:To assist nature in all the many diseases that originate in a disordered system, impure blood, poor circulation, indigestion and constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
To assist nature in all the many diseases that originate in a disordered system, impure blood, poor circulation, indigestion and constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1906
1906-1908
maker
Modern Remedy Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.47
catalog number
M-10413
accession number
246707

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

Holloway's Pills

[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 1870
maker
Thomas Holloway
ID Number
MG.M-10413.25
catalog number
M-10413
accession number
246707

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

Ramon's Pink Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Sluggish liver, biliousness, constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Sluggish liver, biliousness, constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
ID Number
MG.293320.1351
catalog number
293320.1351
accession number
293320

Simmons Liver Regulator or Medicine

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For disorders of the liver; sick headache arising from bilious condition; constipation of the bowels; sour stomach; biliousnessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For disorders of the liver; sick headache arising from bilious condition; constipation of the bowels; sour stomach; biliousness
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
J. H. Zeilin and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10410.01
catalog number
M-10410.01
accession number
246707

Dr W J Thurmond's Blood Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Secondary and tertiary syphilis, rheumatism, gout, Bright's disease, Indigestion, Congestion, Giddiness, Nervousness, Weakness, Bad Rest, Langour, Lassitude, General Debility of theNervous and Muscular
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Secondary and tertiary syphilis, rheumatism, gout, Bright's disease, Indigestion, Congestion, Giddiness, Nervousness, Weakness, Bad Rest, Langour, Lassitude, General Debility of theNervous and Muscular System
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Thurmond Chemical Company
ID Number
MG.274347.273
catalog number
274347.273
accession number
274347

Polk Miller's Liver Pills

[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 1860
maker
Polk Miller Products Corporation
ID Number
MG.M-10413.04
catalog number
M-10413.04
accession number
246707

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