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: Health & Medicine

Hill's Cascara Quinine Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For common colds, headaches due to constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For common colds, headaches due to constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
W. H. Hill Company
Larned Corporation
ID Number
MG.293320.1309
catalog number
293320.1309
accession number
293320

Vicks Vaporub Salve

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:An auxillary treatment for certain forms of inflammation and congestionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
An auxillary treatment for certain forms of inflammation and congestion
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1924
maker
Vick Chemical Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1282
catalog number
293320.1282
accession number
293320

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. Indigestion, heart burn, distress, or a sense of fullness after eating, pains in the bowels, back, sides, or under the shoulders, female weakness and irregularities, piles, sick headache, boils, ulcers, eruptions, weakness, flatulence, sour stomach, fever and ague, disturbances of the bowels, nausea, diarrhea, dysentery, colds, palpitations, asthma, kidney complaint, erysipelas, painter's colic [chronic intestinal pains and constipation caused by lead poisoning]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1872-1883
maker
Moses Dame Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1323
catalog number
293320.1323
accession number
293320

Steele & Richardson's Nature's Herbs of Life Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For all diseases arising from the stomach, liver and bloodCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For all diseases arising from the stomach, liver and blood
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Red Syns Indian Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.33
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Week's Kidney Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For complaints caused by a disordered state of the kidneys or bladder, backache, rheumatism, scalding or scanty urine, and for purifying the blood and cleansing the systemCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For complaints caused by a disordered state of the kidneys or bladder, backache, rheumatism, scalding or scanty urine, and for purifying the blood and cleansing the system
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
D. Weeks and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1286
catalog number
293320.1286
accession number
293320

Wyalin Physiological Laxative and Cholagogue

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Treatment of bilious constipation and as a tonic laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Treatment of bilious constipation and as a tonic laxative
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
maker
John Wyeth and Brother
ID Number
MG.293320.1292
catalog number
293320.1292
accession number
293320

Johnson's American Anodyne Liniment

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs, colds, grippy cold, colic, asthmatic distress, bronchial colds, nasal catarrh, cholera morbus, cramps, diarrhea, bruises, common sore throat, burns and scalds, chaps and chafing, chilblains, frost b
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs, colds, grippy cold, colic, asthmatic distress, bronchial colds, nasal catarrh, cholera morbus, cramps, diarrhea, bruises, common sore throat, burns and scalds, chaps and chafing, chilblains, frost bites, muscular rheumatism, soreness, sprains and strains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
I. S. Johnson and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10409.16
catalog number
M-10409
accession number
246707

Crane's Corn Remover

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Removal of corns and callusesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Removal of corns and calluses
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
Crane Medicine Co.
ID Number
MG.293320.1203
catalog number
293320.1203
accession number
293320

Utah Kidney Beans

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Cures all troubles of the kidneys, bladder and urinary organs. Dissolves and expels gravel or stone from the bladder.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Cures all troubles of the kidneys, bladder and urinary organs. Dissolves and expels gravel or stone from the bladder.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Turners
ID Number
MG.M-10413.35
catalog number
M-10413.35
accession number
246707

Cure "Himrod"

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Rhume rose, diphterie, asthme, catarrhe, croup, grippe, rhumes ordinaires [rheum, diphtheria, asthma, catarrh, croup, grippe.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Rhume rose, diphterie, asthme, catarrhe, croup, grippe, rhumes ordinaires [rheum, diphtheria, asthma, catarrh, croup, grippe.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890
maker
Himrod Manufacturing Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1308
catalog number
293320.1308
accession number
293320

Uncle Ben Jo's Bell Tongue Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A blood purifier, purgative, diuretic alterative, cures all liver, stomach, bowels and kidney diseases, nervous debility, dropsy, scrofula, salt rheum, all skin diseases, worms, gravel and other bladder disease
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A blood purifier, purgative, diuretic alterative, cures all liver, stomach, bowels and kidney diseases, nervous debility, dropsy, scrofula, salt rheum, all skin diseases, worms, gravel and other bladder diseases, ague, cough, cold, heart disease, rheumatism, asthma, bilious and intermittent fevers, jaundice, chronic diarrhea, flatulency, internal inflammation, erysipelas, constipation, dyspepsia, brain diseases, vertigo or dizziness, gout, lumbago, leuccorrhea and all female diseases, epilepsy, swollen feet and limbs, boils, tumors, tetters, scaldhead, ringworm, ulcers and general debility
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
ca 1880
maker
F. Rumsey Gridley
ID Number
MG.M-10426.66
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Dr. Thacher's Laxative Compound of Senna and Rhubarb

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
after 1936
maker
Thacher Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.06
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Bee Brand White Pine and Tar Cough Syrup Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A splendid medicine for coughs, colds, bronchitis, sore and inflamed throat, hoarseness, loss of voiceCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A splendid medicine for coughs, colds, bronchitis, sore and inflamed throat, hoarseness, loss of voice
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1930
maker
McCormick and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1182
catalog number
293320.1182
accession number
293320

Brandreth's V.U. 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
1898-1902
Associated Name
Brandreth Pill Works
maker
Brandreth Pill Works
ID Number
MG.M-10413.19
catalog number
M-10413.19
accession number
246707

Chamberlain's Cough Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
associated date
1882
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup7]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Dr. Flint's Quaker Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A stomach tonic. For nervousness, catarrh of the head and stomach, scrofulous humor, canker, pimples and humors on the face, summer complaints, female weaknesses. Restores the appetite, purifies the blood.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A stomach tonic. For nervousness, catarrh of the head and stomach, scrofulous humor, canker, pimples and humors on the face, summer complaints, female weaknesses. Restores the appetite, purifies the blood. For dyspepsia, constipation, sick headache, dizziness, low spirits caused by disordered stomach, rheumatism, neuralgia, kidney and liver complaints, bilious attacks, piles, malaria, torpidity of the system, languor, general debility, fever and ague.
date made
1885-1908
maker
Quaker Bitters Company
ID Number
MG.M-12151.01
catalog number
M-12151.01
accession number
271464

Lane's Cold Tablets Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Successfully used in the treatment of colds, grip, headache and as a gentle laxative for the bowelsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Successfully used in the treatment of colds, grip, headache and as a gentle laxative for the bowels
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1927
maker
Kemp and Lane
ID Number
MG.293320.3019
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.3019

Mother Seigel's Curative Syrup for Dyspepsia

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:DyspepsiaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Dyspepsia
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
Associated Name
A. J. White, Limited
maker
A. J. White, Limited
ID Number
MG.M-10426.56
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

P. C. W. Cough Drops

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For coughs, colds, sore throats and hoarsenessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For coughs, colds, sore throats and hoarseness
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
before 1900
maker
P. C. Wiest and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1343
catalog number
293320.1343
accession number
293320

Menlyptol Inhaler

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Cures cold in the head, catarrh, hay fever, headache, asthma, bronchitis, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Cures cold in the head, catarrh, hay fever, headache, asthma, bronchitis, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Montis Chemical Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1252
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1252

Trial Bottle of 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.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1905
maker
H.E. Bucklen and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1232
catalog number
293320.1232
accession number
293320

Dr. G. H. Tichenor's Antiseptic Refrigerant

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For cuts, bruises, sprain, superficial burns, sunburn, foot itch, prickly heat, insect bites, mouthwashCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For cuts, bruises, sprain, superficial burns, sunburn, foot itch, prickly heat, insect bites, mouthwash
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
Dr. G. H. Tichenor Antiseptic Company
ID Number
MG.M-10418.01
catalog number
M-10418
accession number
246707

Hayes' Healing Honey Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs, colds, and spasmodic croup; relieves ordinary sore throatCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs, colds, and spasmodic croup; relieves ordinary sore throat
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Paris Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.21
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Johnson's American Anodyne Liniment

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For diphtheria, coughs, colds, influenza, bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough, cramp and pain in the stomach, bowels, or side; rheumatism, spitting of blood, and all lung complaints; sore throat, spinal complain
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For diphtheria, coughs, colds, influenza, bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough, cramp and pain in the stomach, bowels, or side; rheumatism, spitting of blood, and all lung complaints; sore throat, spinal complaints, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, chapped hands, burns, wounds, sprains and bruises
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881-1906
maker
I. S. Johnson and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10409.15
catalog number
M-10409
accession number
246707

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