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: Laxatives

Papine

[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 1900
maker
Battle and Company Chemists Corporation
ID Number
MG.293320.1394
catalog number
293320.1394
accession number
293320

Hoff's Malt Extract (Tarrant's)

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A dietic and healing remedy recommended by European physicians for complaints of the chest and stomach; dyspepsia; obstinate cough; hoarseness, etc.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A dietic and healing remedy recommended by European physicians for complaints of the chest and stomach; dyspepsia; obstinate cough; hoarseness, etc. and especially constipation; also a pleasant table beverage
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1894-1906
maker
Tarrant and Company
Leopold Hoff
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup12]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Lazy Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For stomach, liver, and kidney troubles; constipation; indigestion; all headaches; dizziness; biliousness; the complexion; coated tongue; bad breath; liquor and tobacco excessesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For stomach, liver, and kidney troubles; constipation; indigestion; all headaches; dizziness; biliousness; the complexion; coated tongue; bad breath; liquor and tobacco excesses
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Lazy Liver Pill Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.30
catalog number
M-10413
accession number
246707

Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for adults tow to four pillsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for adults tow to four pills
Location
Currently not on view
maker
W. H. Comstock Company
ID Number
MG.M-07239
catalog number
M-07239
accession number
220009
220009

U.S. Army and Navy Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: These tablets will positively relieve all stomach troubles, banish pain, and induce restful sleep no matter what may be your ailment.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: These tablets will positively relieve all stomach troubles, banish pain, and induce restful sleep no matter what may be your ailment. They will do you good at once, and cure is certain to result if directions are followed. A positive cure for dyspepsia, constipation and biliousness, sick headache, kidney and liver troubles and sour stomach.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1901
maker
United States Army and Navy Tablet Company
ID Number
MG.M-13067.25
catalog number
M-13067
accession number
321641
catalog number
321641.038

Rocky Mountain Tea

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For the treatment of constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For the treatment of constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1909
maker
Hollister Drug Company
ID Number
MG.M-10416.01
catalog number
M-10416.01
accession number
246707

Hot Springs Liver Buttons

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For biliousness, torpid liver, constipation, indigestation, tired feelingCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For biliousness, torpid liver, constipation, indigestation, tired feeling
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1918
maker
Hot Springs Chemical Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.26
catalog number
M-10413
accession number
246707

Beecham'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
after 1859
maker
Beecham's Pills
ID Number
MG.293320.1183
catalog number
293320.1183
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

Akerue! French Liver and Kidney Regulator

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A liver and kidney regulator; blood purifier.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A liver and kidney regulator; blood purifier. For costiveness and constipation; all forms of liver and kidney complaints; Bright's Disease of the kidney; diabetes; catarrh of the bladder; gravel and stricture; malaria; sick, bilious or nervous headache; neuralgia; rheumatism; loss of sleep, appetite or energy; tired, weary feeling; melancholy; dry, hacking cough or not feeling well; more tired on rising in the morning than on retiring; irregularity of the bowels.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
Akerue Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.13
catalog number
M-10413
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

Hoff's Malt Extract (Tarrant's)

A dietic and healing remedy recommended by European physicians for Complaints of the Chest and Stomach; Dyspepsia; Obstinate Cough; Hoarseness, etc. and especially constipation; a pleasant table beverageCurrently not on view
Description
A dietic and healing remedy recommended by European physicians for Complaints of the Chest and Stomach; Dyspepsia; Obstinate Cough; Hoarseness, etc. and especially constipation; a pleasant table beverage
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1894-1906
maker
Leopold Hoff
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup76]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Dr. Edwards' Olive Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A pleasant laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A pleasant laxative
Location
Currently not on view
maker
The Olive Tablet Company
ID Number
MG.313462.058
accession number
313462
catalog number
313462.058

Ex-Lax The Chocolate Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Recommended for constipation in all its forms for children and grown-upsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Recommended for constipation in all its forms for children and grown-ups
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1911
ID Number
MG.293320.1294
catalog number
293320.1294
accession number
293320

Herbitol (Goff's)

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For heartburn; gas belching; sour stomach; flatulence; laxative for constipation and inactive bowelsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For heartburn; gas belching; sour stomach; flatulence; laxative for constipation and inactive bowels
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
S. B. Goff and Sons Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.35
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

NR Jrs, Nature's Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Acts on stomach, kidneys, liver and bowelsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Acts on stomach, kidneys, liver and bowels
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
A. H. Lewis Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1258
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1258

Dr. W. B. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and conditions resulting from it.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and conditions resulting from it. Owing to its mild action and pleasant taste the ideal laxative for children, women and old folks, and all those who cannot stand a harsh purgative.
A pleasant laxative compound composed of drugs known to be beneficial when an evacuant is indicated, acting gently on the bowels as a flushing agent to relieve conditions due to constipation. Disturbances arising from sluggish bowels may be helped by its use.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup47]
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

Carlsbader Sprudel Salz (Carlsbad Sprudel-Salts)

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:In doses of one-half to one teaspoonful it is an excellent aperient, laxative, and diuretic. The Salt should be taken dissolved in a tumblerful of the Natural Carlsbad Water or in warm water.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
In doses of one-half to one teaspoonful it is an excellent aperient, laxative, and diuretic. The Salt should be taken dissolved in a tumblerful of the Natural Carlsbad Water or in warm water. For temporary and chronic constipation use one teaspoonful of the Salt dissolved in a tumblerful of warm Carlsbad Sprudel Water before breakfast. It will produce regular evacuations, easy and free of pain.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1925
maker
Carlsbad Products Company
ID Number
MG.M-10410.06
catalog number
M-10410
accession number
246707

Dr. W. B. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and conditions resulting from it.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and conditions resulting from it. Owing to its mild action and pleasant taste the ideal laxative for children, women and old folks, and all those who cannot stand a harsh purgative.
A pleasant laxative compound composed of drugs known to be beneficial when an evacuant is indicated, acting gently on the bowels as a flushing agent to relieve conditions due to constipation. Disturbances arising from sluggish bowels may be helped by its use.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup48]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Kunkel's Laxative Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the relief of torpid Liver and constitpationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the relief of torpid Liver and constitpation
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Kunkel Bros.
ID Number
MG.313462.071.2
catalog number
313462.071.2
accession number
313462

Dr Herrick's Sugar Coated Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
L.W. Warner & Co., Inc.
ID Number
MG.M-10239.02
catalog number
M-10239.02
accession number
241520

Alberts Little Dinner Pill

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Relief and cure of dyspepsia and indigestion, vomiting, acid stomach, belching, coated tongue, dizziness, distress after eating, constipation. A soverign remedy for headache.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Relief and cure of dyspepsia and indigestion, vomiting, acid stomach, belching, coated tongue, dizziness, distress after eating, constipation. A soverign remedy for headache.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906-1908
ID Number
MG.274347.252
catalog number
274347.252
M-12140
accession number
274347

Ex-Lax The Chocolated Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Widely used with good results in cases of occasional constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Widely used with good results in cases of occasional constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
ID Number
MG.293320.1298
catalog number
293320.1298
accession number
293320

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