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: Blood & Liver Drugs

Simmons Liver Purifier A Regulator

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: constipation, fever, ague, biliousness, jaundies (sic), colic, and all diseases that arise from a torpid liverCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: constipation, fever, ague, biliousness, jaundies (sic), colic, and all diseases that arise from a torpid liver
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
Before 1906
maker
A. C. Simmons, Jr. Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.274347.266.C
catalog number
274347.266.C
M-12140
accession number
274347

Nelaton's Remedy for Rheumatism, Gout and Neuralgia

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For rheumatism, gout, and neuralgia.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For rheumatism, gout, and neuralgia. For acute, chronic, inflammatory, muscular and neuralgic forms; rheumatism of joints and heart; rheumatic gout; gout in the small joints and stomach; neuralgic rheumatism and gout; neuralgia of heart and face; sciatica. A splendid liver regulator.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
maker
Nelaton Remedy Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.58
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Dr Sanford's Liver Invigorator

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Relieves Bilousness; Torpid or inactive Liver; Constipation; Headache; Sallowness; assists digestion; useful in clearing complexion.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Relieves Bilousness; Torpid or inactive Liver; Constipation; Headache; Sallowness; assists digestion; useful in clearing complexion.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1915
date made
after 1917
maker
Sanford Sales Corporation
ID Number
MG.M-10426.70
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Carter's Little Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For headache, torpid liver, constipation and the complexionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For headache, torpid liver, constipation and the complexion
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1880
maker
Carter Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1195
catalog number
293320.1195
accession number
293320

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.313462.070
catalog number
313462.070
accession number
313462

Laxa-Wafers Laxative Cathartic Liver Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For constipation, sick headache, biliousness, indigestion, sour, gassy stomach, bad breath, sallow complexion, malaria, colds or grippe, bad blood or skin eruptions, or any other trouble where a reliable laxati
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For constipation, sick headache, biliousness, indigestion, sour, gassy stomach, bad breath, sallow complexion, malaria, colds or grippe, bad blood or skin eruptions, or any other trouble where a reliable laxative and liver remedy is required
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
American Croxone Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.22
catalog number
M-10413.22
accession number
246707

Moses Dame's Wine of the Woods

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Remedy for dyspepsia, biliousness, costiveness, headache, worms, jaundice, liver complaint, debility, loss of energy, feebleness and all other diseases arising from derangement of the stomach, liver or b
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Remedy for dyspepsia, biliousness, costiveness, headache, worms, jaundice, liver complaint, debility, loss of energy, feebleness and all other diseases arising from derangement of the stomach, liver or blood
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Moses Dame Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1322
catalog number
293320.1322
accession number
293320

Sarsparilla Vegetable Blood Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For purifying the bloodCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For purifying the blood
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1880
ca 1898
maker
B. Schmitt
ID Number
MG.M-10413.45
catalog number
M-10413
accession number
246707

Dr O Phelps Brown's Liver Invigorator

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: all diseases of the liverCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: all diseases of the liver
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1881
maker
Brown, O. Phelps
ID Number
MG.254865.15
accession number
254865
catalog number
254865.15

Dr Hobbs Little Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: liver, stomach, bowels, dispelling headaches, fevers and colds, cleansing system thoroughly; cure habitual constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: liver, stomach, bowels, dispelling headaches, fevers and colds, cleansing system thoroughly; cure habitual constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1896
maker
Hobbs Remedy Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.17
catalog number
M-10413.17
accession number
246707

Atwood's Jaundice Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Recommended for jaundice, headache, dyspepsia, worms, dizziness, loss of appetite, darting pains, colds and fevers. For cleansing the blood of humors and moistening the skin.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Recommended for jaundice, headache, dyspepsia, worms, dizziness, loss of appetite, darting pains, colds and fevers. For cleansing the blood of humors and moistening the skin. Also for liver complaints, strangury, dropsy, croup and phthisis.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Hall & Ruckel
ID Number
MG.293320.1173
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1173

Dr. Fenner's Blood and Liver 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 1896
maker
M. M. Fenner, MD
ID Number
MG.M-10413.28
catalog number
M-10413.28
accession number
246707

Keystone Blood and Kidney Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
After 1938
maker
Keystone Laboratories
ID Number
MG.274347.207
catalog number
274347.207
accession number
274347
catalog number
M-12141

Rollian's Gold Seal Herb Medicine

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For constipation, sour stomach, ulcer-gas, coughs-colds, skin trouble, worms, kidney trouble, high blood, run down systemCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For constipation, sour stomach, ulcer-gas, coughs-colds, skin trouble, worms, kidney trouble, high blood, run down system
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
ID Number
MG.M-10426.32
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Bewino

Blood builder and purifier. DigestionCurrently not on view
Description
Blood builder and purifier. Digestion
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1938
maker
Erard
Erbru Roots and Herbs Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.274347.162
catalog number
274347.162
M-12141
accession number
274347

Four-Fold Liver Tonic

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A laxative syrup for biliousness, disordered stomach, belching, bad breath, flatulence, wind in the bowels, constipation and irregular bowel movementsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A laxative syrup for biliousness, disordered stomach, belching, bad breath, flatulence, wind in the bowels, constipation and irregular bowel movements
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1938
maker
C. F. Simmons Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.12
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Dr. Wengert's Hepatica Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For derangement of the liver and secretions. An alterative and cathartic.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For derangement of the liver and secretions. An alterative and cathartic.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1874
ca 1874
maker
Fouse Brothers and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.05
catalog number
M-10413.05
accession number
246707

Dr. Kilmer's Prompt Parilla Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For headache, drowsiness, bad taste in the mouth, torpid liver, constipation, biliousness, nausea, flatulence, belching of wind, sour stomach, distress after eating, poor appetite, the complexionCurrently not o
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For headache, drowsiness, bad taste in the mouth, torpid liver, constipation, biliousness, nausea, flatulence, belching of wind, sour stomach, distress after eating, poor appetite, the complexion
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Dr. Kilmer and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.02
catalog number
M-10413.02
accession number
246707

Tryalax the Laxative Chocolate

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the prompt relief of constipation sick headache, biliousness and various forms of liver complaintsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the prompt relief of constipation sick headache, biliousness and various forms of liver complaints
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Tryalax Manufacturing Company Inc.
ID Number
MG.313462.025
catalog number
313462.025
accession number
313462

Cascarets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the cure of chronic constipation. Liver stimulant, strengthen the bowels, make pure blood.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the cure of chronic constipation. Liver stimulant, strengthen the bowels, make pure blood.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Sterling Remedy Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1201
catalog number
293320.1201
accession number
293320

Foley Cathartic Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For disorders of the stomach, liver, and bowels caused by constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For disorders of the stomach, liver, and bowels caused by constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.29
catalog number
M-10413.29
accession number
246707

Tamara Larix Bon Bon

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For the cure of constipation and liver diseases and thereby for the prevention of headache, dyspepsia, cerebral congestion, biliousness, piles, etc., etc.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For the cure of constipation and liver diseases and thereby for the prevention of headache, dyspepsia, cerebral congestion, biliousness, piles, etc., etc. Cures constipation and thus prevents congestion of the brain, apoplexy, insanity, convulsions. It is almost a cure for sea sickness.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1872-1883
maker
McKesson and Robbins
F. Crosby
ID Number
MG.M-12151.15
accession number
271464
catalog number
M-12151.15

Dr. C. McLane's Celebrated Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For sick headache and in all bilious complaintsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For sick headache and in all bilious complaints
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1855
maker
Fleming Brothers
ID Number
MG.M-10413.06
catalog number
M-10413.06
accession number
246707

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.313462.071.1
catalog number
313462.071.1
accession number
313462

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