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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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: Illinois

Crane's Quinine and Tar Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:An expectorant for coughs, colds, hoarseness, tickling in throat, bronchial coughs, and coughs resulting from la grippe [influenza]Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:
An expectorant for coughs, colds, hoarseness, tickling in throat, bronchial coughs, and coughs resulting from la grippe [influenza]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1921 -1938
maker
Crane Medicine Co.
ID Number
MG.M-10426.43
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Dr. W. B. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and conditions resulting from it.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and conditions resulting from it. Owing to its mild action and pleasant taste the ideal laxative for children, women and old folks, and all those who cannot stand a harsh purgative.
A pleasant laxative compound composed of drugs known to be beneficial when an evacuant is indicated, acting gently on the bowels as a flushing agent to relieve conditions due to constipation. Disturbances arising from sluggish bowels may be helped by its use.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908 - 1918
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766.03 [dup1]
catalog number
M-10766.03
accession number
256193

Dr. W. B. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and conditions resulting from it.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and conditions resulting from it. Owing to its mild action and pleasant taste the ideal laxative for children, women and old folks, and all those who cannot stand a harsh purgative.
A pleasant laxative compound composed of drugs known to be beneficial when an evacuant is indicated, acting gently on the bowels as a flushing agent to relieve conditions due to constipation. Disturbances arising from sluggish bowels may be helped by its use.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup39]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Millrue Iron Tonic Hematinic Stomachic

Iron tonic, hematinin, stomachic, digestive aid; To increase the hemoglobin of the blood, An effective tonic for simple anemia (iron deficiency) and in the treatment of Vitamin B1, B2, and niacin deficiencies. An excellent stomachic and digestive aidCurrently not on view
Description
Iron tonic, hematinin, stomachic, digestive aid; To increase the hemoglobin of the blood, An effective tonic for simple anemia (iron deficiency) and in the treatment of Vitamin B1, B2, and niacin deficiencies. An excellent stomachic and digestive aid
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
manufacturer
Millpax, Inc.
ID Number
MG.274347.215
catalog number
274347.215
accession number
274347

King's Discovery

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungs.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungs.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
H.E. Bucklen and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1231
catalog number
293320.1231
accession number
293320

Willard's Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To neutralize gastric hyperacidity and to relieve symptoms that are due there toCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To neutralize gastric hyperacidity and to relieve symptoms that are due there to
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
After 1938
maker
Willard Tablet Company
ID Number
MG.274347.152
catalog number
274347.152
accession number
274347

Cascasweet

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For Your Baby for diarrhoea, dysentery, summer complaints, constipation, worms, convulsions, teething, wind colic, vomiting of sour curd, mal-assimilation of food, sour stomach, feverishness and want of
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For Your Baby for diarrhoea, dysentery, summer complaints, constipation, worms, convulsions, teething, wind colic, vomiting of sour curd, mal-assimilation of food, sour stomach, feverishness and want of sleep.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup35]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Kodol Tablets for the Stomach

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-09907.02
catalog number
M-09907
accession number
238503

Gets-It

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For corns and callusesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For corns and calluses
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1928
maker
Gets-It Incorporated
ID Number
MG.293320.1299
catalog number
293320.1299
accession number
293320

Dr. King's New Discovery for Consumption

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungs
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
ID Number
MG.293320.1238
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1238

Foley's Honey and Tar Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Demulcent for coughs, colds, hoarseness, and children's coughsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Demulcent for coughs, colds, hoarseness, and children's coughs
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
MG.M-09908
catalog number
M-09908
accession number
238503

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup32]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup26]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

King's Discovery

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungs.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungs.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
H.E. Bucklen and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1234
catalog number
293320.1234
accession number
293320

Kodol Tablets for the Stomach

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: should be dissolved in the mouth or chewed very slowlyCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: should be dissolved in the mouth or chewed very slowly
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-09907.01
catalog number
M-09907
accession number
238503

DeWitt's Vaporizing Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:To sooth nasal passagesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
To sooth nasal passages
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1950
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1318
catalog number
293320.1318
accession number
293320

Dr. W. B. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and conditions resulting from it.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and conditions resulting from it. Owing to its mild action and pleasant taste the ideal laxative for children, women and old folks, and all those who cannot stand a harsh purgative.
A pleasant laxative compound composed of drugs known to be beneficial when an evacuant is indicated, acting gently on the bowels as a flushing agent to relieve conditions due to constipation. Disturbances arising from sluggish bowels may be helped by its use.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup46]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Kodol Nerve Tonic

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For languid, listless, lifeless feeling. As a general constitutional remedy, and as a blood purifying tonic.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For languid, listless, lifeless feeling. As a general constitutional remedy, and as a blood purifying tonic. For inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat, lungs or bronchial tubes, and for coughs and colds. For neuralgia or acute pains.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.68
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

King's Discovery

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungs.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungs.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
H.E. Bucklen and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1239
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1239

Dr. King's New Discovery for Consumption

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:By taking the contents of this small bottle, you will readily perceive the remarkable curative qualities of this great New Discovery for Consumption, Coughs, Colds, and all Diseases of the Throat, Chest and Lun
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
By taking the contents of this small bottle, you will readily perceive the remarkable curative qualities of this great New Discovery for Consumption, Coughs, Colds, and all Diseases of the Throat, Chest and Lungs, which will convince you of its wonderful merits, and show you what can be done by a regular one dollar size bottle. Give it a trial. Dose for adults one teaspoonful every three hours.
Proprietary (patent) medicine makers employed a wide array of advertising and marketing techniques to sell their products. The free sample, or trial size, was one of these. Dr. King's New Discovery, developed by Dr. Z. L. King of Elkhart, Indianna, was purchased by Herbert E. Bucklen around 1878. Bucklen spent lavishly on advertising which brought national recognition to his New Discovery and other medicines.
date made
ca 1905
maker
H.E. Bucklen and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1237
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1237

Dr. King's New Discovery for Consumption

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungs
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
ID Number
MG.293320.1240
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1240

Hamlin's Blood & 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 1880
maker
Hamlin's Wizard Oil Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.14
catalog number
M-10413.14
accession number
246707

Dr. Fuller's Electro Spiral Magnetic Vegetable Vapor Cure

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For headache; neuralgia; catarrh; hoarseness; asthma; hay fever; colds in the head; pleurisy and sciatica; nervous headache; dizziness; clouded memory; loss of nerve power, and all diseases of the mucous membra
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For headache; neuralgia; catarrh; hoarseness; asthma; hay fever; colds in the head; pleurisy and sciatica; nervous headache; dizziness; clouded memory; loss of nerve power, and all diseases of the mucous membrane
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1888-1906
maker
Fuller and Fuller
ID Number
MG.M-12151.07
catalog number
M-12151.07
accession number
271464

Petrolagar

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the promotion of proper fecal consistency and the restoration of normal bowel habit timeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the promotion of proper fecal consistency and the restoration of normal bowel habit time
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1934
maker
Petrolager Laboratories
ID Number
MG.293320.1332
catalog number
293320.1332
accession number
293320

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