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.

Topic: Blood & Liver Drugs

Dr. Thacher's Liver Medicine

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Liver complaint, Biliousness, Costiveness, Drowsiness, Kidney Complaint, Yellow Jaundice, Pimples and Blotches, Scrofula, Salt Rheum, Erysipelas, Dyspepsia, Sour Stomach, Sleeplessness, Sick headache, a
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Liver complaint, Biliousness, Costiveness, Drowsiness, Kidney Complaint, Yellow Jaundice, Pimples and Blotches, Scrofula, Salt Rheum, Erysipelas, Dyspepsia, Sour Stomach, Sleeplessness, Sick headache, all Blood Diseases, etc. etc.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1903
1903-1906
maker
Thacher Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10410.14
catalog number
M-10410.14
accession number
246707

Dr. T. Rennolds' Celebrated Virginia Hepatic 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 1863
maker
William Rennolds and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.15
catalog number
M-10413.15
accession number
246707

Hematonic

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Anemic conditions of the bloodCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Anemic conditions of the blood
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1893
maker
Tilden Company
ID Number
1984.0782.077
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.077

Vinco Herb Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For stomach, liver, bowles, and systemCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For stomach, liver, bowles, and system
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Vinco Herb Company
ID Number
1985.0481.127
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.127
accession number
1985.0481

Dr. A.W. Chase K-L Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For headache, biliousness, and indigestion arising from constipation; liver complaint, constipation, jaundiceCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For headache, biliousness, and indigestion arising from constipation; liver complaint, constipation, jaundice
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1906
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Dr. A. W. Chase Corporation
ID Number
1985.0460.231
catalog number
1985.0460.231
accession number
1985.0460

Dioxol Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Dioxol is intended to stimulate the liver cells, thereby increasing the important bile supply. Relieves intestinal putrefaction, auto-intoxication and constipation.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Dioxol is intended to stimulate the liver cells, thereby increasing the important bile supply. Relieves intestinal putrefaction, auto-intoxication and constipation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1923
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Wyeth Chemical Company
ID Number
1985.0460.032
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.032

Oxien Tablet Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Stomach, liver, blood diseases, sick headache, dyspepsia, constipation, indigestion, lack of energy, general weakness, dizziness, sleeplessness, female disordersCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Stomach, liver, blood diseases, sick headache, dyspepsia, constipation, indigestion, lack of energy, general weakness, dizziness, sleeplessness, female disorders
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1898
maker
Giant Oxie Company
ID Number
1984.0782.141
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.141

Nyal's Little Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Liver pillsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Liver pills
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
distributor
New York and London Drug Company
ID Number
1984.0782.137
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.137

Dr. Williams Pink Pills, Iron & Vitamins B1 Tonic

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Useful in simple or nutritional amenia. ... forms an excellent tonic to increase the appetite and aid convalescence.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Useful in simple or nutritional amenia. ... forms an excellent tonic to increase the appetite and aid convalescence.
Location
Currently not on view
distributor
W. T. Hanson Company
maker
Dr. Williams Medicine Company
ID Number
1985.0481.058
catalog number
1985.0481.058
accession number
1985.0481
1985.0481

Red Pills for Pale and Weak Women (Pilules Rouges)

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For pale and weak women. An effective remedy for improving the blood, and the relief of anaemia and complicated diseases which follow anaemia, pecuilar to women.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For pale and weak women. An effective remedy for improving the blood, and the relief of anaemia and complicated diseases which follow anaemia, pecuilar to women.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906-1908
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
France-American Chemical Company
ID Number
1984.0351.125
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.125

Dr. Seth Arnold's Indian Vegetable Anti-Bilious Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A family physic, recommended by Botanic, Eclectic and Allopathic Physicians. Liver complaint, biliousness, costiveness and headache.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A family physic, recommended by Botanic, Eclectic and Allopathic Physicians. Liver complaint, biliousness, costiveness and headache.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1889
maker
Dr. Seth Arnold Medical Corporation
ID Number
1984.0782.012
catalog number
1984.0782.012
accession number
1984.0782

Hunyadi Janos Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Biliousness, stomach disorders, liver complaints and constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Biliousness, stomach disorders, liver complaints and constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1919
maker
Hunyadi Janos Corporation
Andreas Saxlehner
ID Number
1984.0782.095
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.095

Parsons' Purgative Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: one pill taken each or every other night for several weeksCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: one pill taken each or every other night for several weeks
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908-1918
maker
Dr. I.S. Johnson and Company
ID Number
1984.0782.144
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.144

Mark Medicines Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: adult dose, 1 pill at night; as a purgative, take 3 or 4 pillsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: adult dose, 1 pill at night; as a purgative, take 3 or 4 pills
Location
Currently not on view
maker
S. J. Briggs Company
ID Number
1984.0782.116
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.116

A.D.S. Little Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Premium remedy for torpid liver; also for biliousness, sick headaches, dizziness, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Premium remedy for torpid liver; also for biliousness, sick headaches, dizziness, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906-1908
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
distributor
American Druggists Syndicate
ID Number
1985.0460.001
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.001

Nyal's Little Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: liver and stomach, sick, constipation, dizzinessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: liver and stomach, sick, constipation, dizziness
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
distributor
New York and London Drug Company
ID Number
1984.0782.136
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.136

Hunts Health Pills and Liver Cure Little Gems

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headache, biliousness, malaria, dyspepsia, dizziness and liver troublesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headache, biliousness, malaria, dyspepsia, dizziness and liver troubles
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1899
maker
Hunts Remedy Company
ID Number
1984.0782.094
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.094

Jayne's Sanative Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Liver complaints, jaundice, dyspepsia, fevers, nervousness, impurity of the blood, inflammation, costiveness, pains in the head, breast, side of the back and the limbsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Liver complaints, jaundice, dyspepsia, fevers, nervousness, impurity of the blood, inflammation, costiveness, pains in the head, breast, side of the back and the limbs
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1857
maker
D. Jayne
ID Number
1984.0782.103
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.103

Dr. Davenport's Bilious Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Bilious pills or deobstruent physicCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Bilious pills or deobstruent physic
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1861 - 1883
1861 - 1883
maker
Weeks and Potter
ID Number
1984.0782.050
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.050

Kendall's Persian Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Liver complaints, fever and ague, constipation, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Liver complaints, fever and ague, constipation, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1882-1906
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Dr. B. J. Kendall Company
ID Number
1984.0351.060
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.060

Dr. Davenport's Bilious Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: purifying the blood and creating an appetiteCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: purifying the blood and creating an appetite
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1861 - 1883
maker
Weeks and Potter
ID Number
1984.0782.049
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.049

Schoenfeld Kidney and Liver Tea

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Purifies the blood; highly recommended for constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Purifies the blood; highly recommended for constipation
Location
Currently not on view
maker
S. Pfeiffer Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1985.0481.105
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.105
accession number
1985.0481

Kickapoo-Sagwa

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Sick headache, sour stomach, loss of appetite, heartburn, biliousness, constipation, sluggish liver, dyspepsiaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Sick headache, sour stomach, loss of appetite, heartburn, biliousness, constipation, sluggish liver, dyspepsia
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1917
ID Number
1984.0782.107
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.107

Smith's Compound Pineapple and Butternut Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Constipation, biliousness, dyspepsia, indigestion, act on liver, bad taste in the mouth, bad complexion, and all diseases of stomach, liver, bowels, and digestive organs.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Constipation, biliousness, dyspepsia, indigestion, act on liver, bad taste in the mouth, bad complexion, and all diseases of stomach, liver, bowels, and digestive organs.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
W. F. Smith Company
ID Number
1984.0782.187
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.187

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.