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.

Norwich Nose Drops

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0475.492
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.492

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 [dup102]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Unguentine Plus Ointment, 1 Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1973
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.099
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.099

Crab Orchard Salts

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:As a liver regulator and tonic, for dyspepsia, indigestion, diarrhoea, etc. Take half teaspoonful morning and night for three of four successive days.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
As a liver regulator and tonic, for dyspepsia, indigestion, diarrhoea, etc. Take half teaspoonful morning and night for three of four successive days. Dissolve in a glass of water, and let it stand some time before taking.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2002.0138.005
accession number
2002.0138
catalog number
2002.0138.005

Aseptinol Compound Unguent

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-11217.03
catalog number
M-11217.03
accession number
259750

En*AR*CO

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
distributor
National Remedy Company
ID Number
1985.0475.421
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.421

Spec-T Sore Throat Cough Suppressant, Lozenges, 10 Lozenges

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1998.0252.024
accession number
1998.0252
catalog number
1998.0252.024

Seidlitz Powders Walgreen Company

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.1144.135
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.135
accession number
1979.1144

Dr. Pettit's American Eye Water

No information about indications or use are provided on the packaging.The Howard Brothers of Buffalo, New York produced this bottle of Dr. Pettit’s American Eye Water around 1900. In 1842 Dr.
Description
No information about indications or use are provided on the packaging.
The Howard Brothers of Buffalo, New York produced this bottle of Dr. Pettit’s American Eye Water around 1900. In 1842 Dr. James Pettit formulated the eye salve in Fredonia, New York, selling the business to Edward and Clarence Howard in 1876. The Howard Brothers moved the company to Buffalo, New York in 1888. Dr. Pettit’s American Eye Water was used to sooth irritated eyes.
date made
ca 1900
maker
Howard Brothers
ID Number
2008.0062.23
accession number
2008.0062
catalog number
2008.0062.23

Creamalin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1981.0895.059
catalog number
1981.0895.059
accession number
1981.0895

McKesson's Seidlitz Powders in Counter Display Box

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1979.1144.127
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.127

Herb Capsules No. 85 - Durfa Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Mild diuretic tends to increase the flow of urineCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Mild diuretic tends to increase the flow of urine
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Kiehl Pharmacy Inc.
ID Number
1981.0589.034
accession number
1981.0589
catalog number
1981.0589.034

Perfect Seidlitz Powders Garfield & Co.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Garfield and Company
ID Number
1979.1144.241
catalog number
1979.1144.241
accession number
1979.1144

Perfect Seidlitz Powders Garfield & Co.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Garfield and Company
ID Number
1979.1144.242
catalog number
1979.1144.242
accession number
1979.1144

Cinsa-Vess

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Effervescent Products, INC
ID Number
1978.0235.067
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.067

Upset Stomach

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1985.0475.591
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.591

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 [dup79]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Dominion C.B.Q. Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For colds, headache, neuralgia.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For colds, headache, neuralgia.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1905
maker
National Drug and Chemical Company
ID Number
2008.0018.030
catalog number
2008.0018.030
accession number
2008.0018

Tiger Balm Carton with Original Paper Labels

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-06892.13
catalog number
M-06892.13
accession number
210760

Hooper's Pills - Black Seal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1980.0678.45
accession number
1980.0678
catalog number
1980.0678.45

Weeks' Break-Up-A-Cold Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
1906-1918
maker
D. Weeks and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.3014
catalog number
293320.3014
accession number
293320

Cod-Liver Oil and Creosote Soluble Gelatin Capsules No. 1

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.3020
catalog number
293320.3020
accession number
293320

Creamalin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Winthrop Chemical Company
ID Number
1981.0895.032
accession number
1981.0895
catalog number
1981.0895.032

Johnson's Clean & Clear Maximum Strength Persa-Gel

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1995-1997
copyright date (packaging)
1995
product expiration date
1998-12
distributor
Johnson and Johnson
ID Number
1998.0102.12
catalog number
1998.0102.12
accession number
1998.0102

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