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: New York

Shiloh Improved

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
S. C. Wells and Company
ID Number
1978.0235.313
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.313

Dr Pierce's Pleasant Pellets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: constipation
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Pierce's Proprietaries, Inc.
ID Number
1978.0883.078
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.078

Varoma

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: By inhalation for Whooping Cough, Croup, Catarrh, Asthma, and Throat DiseasesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: By inhalation for Whooping Cough, Croup, Catarrh, Asthma, and Throat Diseases
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Varoma Medical Co.
W. H. Schieffelin and Company
ID Number
1978.0883.213
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.213

Shiloh Improved

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: coughsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: coughs
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
S. C. Wells and Company
ID Number
1978.0235.310
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.310

Hobson's Poison Ivy Lotion

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A soothing and protective lotion for the relief of the discomfort of irritation by Posion Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumach, and other irritations of the skin such as Sunburn and Prickly Heat not caused by
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A soothing and protective lotion for the relief of the discomfort of irritation by Posion Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumach, and other irritations of the skin such as Sunburn and Prickly Heat not caused by a diseased condition of the system.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1940
ID Number
1978.0235.080
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.80

Caroid and Soda Bircarb Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Invaluable for Indigestion and Dyspepsia especially where there is excessive secretion of acid in the stomach causing "Heart Burn" Eructations, Etc. Etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Invaluable for Indigestion and Dyspepsia especially where there is excessive secretion of acid in the stomach causing "Heart Burn" Eructations, Etc. Etc.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1930
maker
American Ferment Co., Inc.
ID Number
1978.0235.066
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.066

K. & M. Effervescent Bromo Caffeine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1920 before 1938
maker
Keasbey & Mattison Company
ID Number
1978.0883.011.B
catalog number
1978.0883.011.B
accession number
1978.0883

Dr Carter's K. and B. Tea

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
S. C. Wells and Company
ID Number
1978.0235.147
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.147

Dr. Kilmer's Prompt Parilla Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headache, drowsiness, bad taste in the mouth, torpid liver, constipation, biliousness, nausea, flatulence, belching wind, sour stomach, distress after eating and poor appetiteCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headache, drowsiness, bad taste in the mouth, torpid liver, constipation, biliousness, nausea, flatulence, belching wind, sour stomach, distress after eating and poor appetite
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr. Kilmer and Company
Dr. Kilmer and Company
ID Number
1978.0883.076
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.076

K. & M. Effervescent Bromo Caffeine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1920 before 1938
maker
Keasbey & Mattison Company
ID Number
1978.0883.011.C
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.011.C

Caroid (Plain)

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Removes indigestion, pain and flatulence, heartburn, and nausea/ Aboslutely harmless.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Removes indigestion, pain and flatulence, heartburn, and nausea/ Aboslutely harmless.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1930
maker
American Ferment Co., Inc.
ID Number
1978.0235.057
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.057

K. & M. Effervescent Bromo Caffeine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1920 before 1938
maker
Keasbey & Mattison Company
ID Number
1978.0883.011.F
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.011.F

Brandreth's Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: use as a laxative and purgativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: use as a laxative and purgative
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Allcock Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1978.0883.067
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.067

Santal Midy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For irritations of the bladder and urinary passagesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For irritations of the bladder and urinary passages
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1935
maker
Establissements Rigaud, Inc.
ID Number
1978.0235.168
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.168

Mistura Creosote Comp

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: phthisis, bronchitis, influenza and chronic coughsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: phthisis, bronchitis, influenza and chronic coughs
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Charles Kilgore
ID Number
1978.0235.320
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.320

B B B Purgative Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: B.B.B.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: B.B.B. purgative Pills are prepared expressly to effect this result and for keeping the bowels in a natural condition, thus cleansing the system of impurities and relieving Constipation, Jaundice, minor disorders of the stomach and many skin diseases.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1938
maker
Blood Balm Company
ID Number
1978.0883.071
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.071

Medicone Dressing

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For painful wounds, burns, ulcers, and fissuresCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For painful wounds, burns, ulcers, and fissures
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1940
maker
Medicone Company
ID Number
1979.0798.348
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.348

Dr. A.W. Chase K-L Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Sick headache, biliousness, indigestion, liver complaints, jaundice, constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Sick headache, biliousness, indigestion, liver complaints, jaundice, constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
before 1906
maker
Dr. A.W. Chase Medicine Company
ID Number
1980.0678.30
accession number
1980.0678
catalog number
1980.0678.30

Ramon's Brownie Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A diuretic stimulant to the kidneysCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A diuretic stimulant to the kidneys
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
ID Number
1979.0798.316
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.316

Ramon's Pink Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An adult laxative for sluggish bowels due to temporary constipation.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An adult laxative for sluggish bowels due to temporary constipation.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1940
ID Number
1979.0798.311
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.311

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
date made
after 1938
maker
Carter Products Company
ID Number
1979.0798.331
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.331

Petrolina

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Nature's great healing ointmentCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Nature's great healing ointment
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1890
maker
Binghamton Oil Refining Company
ID Number
1979.0798.177
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.177

Thompson's Liver Bullets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For Constipation, Biliousness, Headache, Sallow Skin, Torpid Liver, Dizziness and to Regulate the BowelsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For Constipation, Biliousness, Headache, Sallow Skin, Torpid Liver, Dizziness and to Regulate the Bowels
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1904-1906
maker
Thompson Chemical Co.
ID Number
1980.0678.20
accession number
1980.0678
catalog number
1980.0678.20

DeWitt's Worm Candy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For eradicating round wormsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For eradicating round worms
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.516
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.516

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