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.

Browse
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: United States

Fournet's A Stimulant Diuretic for the Kidneys

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
distributor
Reese Chemical Company
ID Number
1985.0475.431
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.431
accession number
1985.0475

Norwich Cod-O-Ex

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: (Vitamin A and D Tablets: ) The high Vitamin D content of these tablets makes them useful in the prevention and treatment of Rickets.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: (Vitamin A and D Tablets: ) The high Vitamin D content of these tablets makes them useful in the prevention and treatment of Rickets. It maintains the proper relation between calcium and phosphorous in the blood when these elements are present in the diet in sufficient quantity. This is necessary for proper bone development and sound teeth in infants and children. Vitamin A is a valuable tonic for convalescent and run-down condition and particularly does it help to build resistance when Vitamin A is deficient.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940s
collection
Reid Drugstore
ID Number
1984.0351.227
accession number
1984.0351
maker number
301985*
catalog number
1984.0351.227
accession number
1984.0351

Chamberlain's Cough Remedy

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup95]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Soricin Capsules

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Wm. S. Merrell Company
ID Number
1984.0351.117
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.117

Trisem La

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
S. E. Massengill Company
ID Number
1981.0219.061
accession number
1981.0219
catalog number
1981.0219.061

Blackburn's Cadomene Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: adults; one tablet after each meal and one at bedtime, children over 12; one tablet after each mealCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: adults; one tablet after each meal and one at bedtime, children over 12; one tablet after each meal
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1932
maker
Blackburn Products Company
ID Number
1984.0782.019
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.019

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

Fumigator, Dr. Perrin's

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For loss of voice, catarrh, minister's sore throat, deafness, rumbling sounds in the head, sounds of distant waterfalls, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For loss of voice, catarrh, minister's sore throat, deafness, rumbling sounds in the head, sounds of distant waterfalls, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.293320.1337
catalog number
293320.1337
accession number
293320

McKesson Sleep Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1985.0475.467
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.467
accession number
1985.0475

Manhood Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1920 - 1940
ID Number
1982.0274.01
accession number
1982.0274
catalog number
1982.0274.01

Surin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1985.0475.570
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.570

Samose

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr. Howard Company
ID Number
1998.0159.01
accession number
1998.0159
catalog number
1998.0159.01

Liquid Silmerine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.029
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.029

Norwich Liquid Saccharin, 4 Fl Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1969
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.044
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.044

Rhinalum Wafers, 18

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.063
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.063

A.S.A. Compound

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1982.0153.08
accession number
1982.0153
catalog number
1982.0153.08

Foley Family Pills for Constipation

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.071
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.071

Meyer Morthesin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Meyer Brothers Drug Company
ID Number
1985.0475.476
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.476
accession number
1985.0475

Unguentine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0475.588
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.588

Sevetol

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1915
maker
John Wyeth & Brother
ID Number
1984.0782.182
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.182

Ocusol Eyedrops, New Bottle, 0.6 Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1976
maker
Morton - Norwich Products
ID Number
1986.0198.048
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.048

Chamberlain's Cough Remedy

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup92]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Goody's Headache Powders

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
trademark registration date (Goody's "They Are Good")
1936-10-13
maker
Goody's
ID Number
MG.302607.122.04
accession number
302607
catalog number
302607.122.04

Nebs, 24 Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1950
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.029
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.029

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