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

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

Ayer's Cathartic Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1910-1920
maker
Dr. J. C. Ayer and Company
ID Number
MG.M-07241
catalog number
M-07241
accession number
220009

Nature's Remedy

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
Lewis-Howe Company
ID Number
MG.313462.095
catalog number
313462.95
accession number
313462

Brandreth'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 1868
Associated Name
Brandreth Pill Works
maker
Brandreth Pill Works
Benjamin Brandreth
ID Number
MG.293320.1160
catalog number
293320.1160
accession number
293320

Boal's Rolls

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A pleasant laxative; reliable in effectCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A pleasant laxative; reliable in effect
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1935
ID Number
MG.313462.078
accession number
313462
catalog number
313462.078

Nature's Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Elimination of constipation, biliousness.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Elimination of constipation, biliousness.
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Name
A. H. Lewis Medicine Co.
maker
A. H. Lewis Medicine Co.
ID Number
MG.293320.1260
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1260

Phenyo-Caffein

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For sick and nervous headache; neuralgia; rheumatism; lumbago; nervousness; sleeplessness; feverishness; colds and la grippe.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For sick and nervous headache; neuralgia; rheumatism; lumbago; nervousness; sleeplessness; feverishness; colds and la grippe.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Phenyo-Caffein Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.42
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 constipationCurrently 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
Date made
after 1869
after 1872
maker
Dr. J. H. Schenck & Son
ID Number
MG.293320.1365
catalog number
293320.1365
accession number
293320

Nature's Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Elimination of constipation, biliousnessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Elimination of constipation, biliousness
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1924
Associated Name
A. H. Lewis Medicine Co.
maker
A. H. Lewis Medicine Co.
ID Number
MG.293320.1259
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1259

Mrs. Winslow's Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A stomach and bowel regulator for infants and children. For children teething. A safe remedy for digestive troubles—constipation and diarrhea, feverishness and restlessness.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A stomach and bowel regulator for infants and children. For children teething. A safe remedy for digestive troubles—constipation and diarrhea, feverishness and restlessness.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Curtis and Perkins
ID Number
MG.293320.1290
catalog number
293320.1290
accession number
293320

Tropic Fruit Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:LaxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Laxative
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1885
maker
J. E. Hetherington
ID Number
MG.293320.1279
catalog number
293320.1279
accession number
293320

Requa's Charcoal Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Dyspepsia, bad breath, heartburn, headache, acid stomach, constipation, biliousnessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Dyspepsia, bad breath, heartburn, headache, acid stomach, constipation, biliousness
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1912
maker
Requa Manufacturing Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1355
catalog number
293320.1355
accession number
293320

Life-Aid Mineral Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Laxative for indigestion or gastritis due to acidity, simple headaches, common colds, rheumatic pains, constipation, nervousness and tired, dull, weak feelings caused by faulty eliminationCurrently not
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Laxative for indigestion or gastritis due to acidity, simple headaches, common colds, rheumatic pains, constipation, nervousness and tired, dull, weak feelings caused by faulty elimination
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
After 1906
maker
Life-Aid Laboratories
ID Number
MG.274347.210
catalog number
274347.210
accession number
274347

Calotabs

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for a laxative or a pugative; for the temporary relief of occassional constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for a laxative or a pugative; for the temporary relief of occassional constipation
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Calotabs Company, Inc.
ID Number
MG.313462.018.1
catalog number
313462.018.1
accession number
313462

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.313462.060
accession number
313462
catalog number
313462.060

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

Porter's None Such Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:LaxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Laxative
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
George H. Rundle Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.33
catalog number
M-10413.33
accession number
246707

Pullman Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:They assist in throwing waste and other products from the system.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
They assist in throwing waste and other products from the system.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Anti-Uric Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1350
catalog number
293320.1350
accession number
293320

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

Cascarets

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
Sterling Products Inc.
ID Number
MG.293320.1198
catalog number
293320.1198
accession number
293320

Schenck's Mandrake Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For Biliousness and Associated Conditions due to ConstipationCurrently 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.313462.054
catalog number
313462.054
accession number
313462

Foley Cathartic Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: habitual constipation; stomach, liver and bowels caused by constipation.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: habitual constipation; stomach, liver and bowels caused by constipation.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.38
catalog number
M-10413.38
accession number
246707

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

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