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.

Place: United States

Soothe-Eze

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0475.076
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.076

Pepto-Bismol, 12 Tablets, Chewable

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1967
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.058
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.058

Aspirin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
American Druggists Syndicate
ID Number
1981.0582.003
accession number
1981.0582
catalog number
1981.0582.003

BiSoDoL Mints

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Antacid Alkalizer. Effective in relieving acid-indigention, gas, heartburn, sourness, and nausea.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Antacid Alkalizer. Effective in relieving acid-indigention, gas, heartburn, sourness, and nausea.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
post 1938
1938-1955
maker
BiSoDol Company
ID Number
2008.0018.007
catalog number
2008.0018.007
accession number
2008.0018

Trask's Ointment

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
D. Ransom, Son & Co.
ID Number
2002.0138.013
accession number
2002.0138
catalog number
2002.0138.013

Zemo Antiseptic Lotion For Skin & Scalp

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
E.W. Rose Co.
ID Number
MG.M-10446.02
catalog number
M-10446
accession number
251551

Panadex Powder

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 1940s
trademark registration date (for MPL)
1943-10-26
maker
Medico Pharmacal Laboratories
ID Number
1979.1144.086
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.086

Isopropyl Alcohol, Rubbing Alcohol

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
H.L. Hunt Sales Company
ID Number
1985.0475.449
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.449
accession number
1985.0475

Liquid Petrolatum

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
prior to 1967
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1988.3089.054
catalog number
1988.3089.054
nonaccession number
1988.3089

Tri-Wonda No 2

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 1954
early 1950s
maker
Wonda Products Company
ID Number
MG.274347.262
catalog number
274347.262
accession number
274347
catalog number
M-12140

Unguentine, 220 Gr

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.080
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.080

Bickmore XYZ Ointment

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Bickmore Company
ID Number
1985.0481.020
catalog number
1985.0481.020
accession number
1985.0481

Mrs. Dinsomore's Couch and Croup Balsam

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1877
maker
L. M. Brock and Company
ID Number
2008.3006.156
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.156

Unguentine Ointment

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1909
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.101
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.101

Dr. Meyers Nervine

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Indicated as a Sedative for Simple Nervousness, Simple Neuralgia, Restlesness, Minor Headaches and Common Sea, Train, Auto and Airplane Sickness.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Indicated as a Sedative for Simple Nervousness, Simple Neuralgia, Restlesness, Minor Headaches and Common Sea, Train, Auto and Airplane Sickness. It is also useful as an aid to other treatment for Tobacco and Alcohol excess.;
Is recommended for use in the following ailments: Epilepsy and Hysteria, Nervousness, Sleeplessness, Neuralgia, Nervous Dyspepsia, and Nervous Irritation. nervous Headache and other Nervous Disturbances. Nervine is also useful as an aid to other treatment for Tobacco and Alcoholic Excess
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1938
ca. 1938
distributor
Oakland Laboratories
referenced
Miles Laboratories
maker
Oakland Laboratories
ID Number
ZZ.RSN83048760

Chloraseptic Gargle & Rinse, Menthol, 12 Oz.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Procter and Gamble
ID Number
1984.0718.002
catalog number
1984.0718.002
accession number
1984.0718

Hammond's Liniment

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
S. C. Wells and Company
ID Number
1985.0460.052B
catalog number
1985.0460.052B
accession number
1985.0460

Saraka

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Plough
ID Number
1985.0475.546
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.546

Gunn's Liver Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
United Medicine Co.
ID Number
2008.0018.064
catalog number
2008.0018.064
accession number
2008.0018

Rexall Milk of Magnesia

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Rexall Drug Company
ID Number
1993.0384.021
catalog number
1993.0384.021
accession number
1993.0384

Soltice

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Chattanooga Medicine Company
ID Number
1985.0475.557
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.557

Ayer's Pectoral

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.293320.1119
catalog number
293320.1119
accession number
293320

Chloraseptic Sore Throat Lozenges, Menthol, 36 Lozenges

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Procter and Gamble
ID Number
1984.0718.007
catalog number
1984.0718.007
accession number
1984.0718

Nose Drops, Childrens, with Neosynephrine, 1/2 Fl Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1969
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.046
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.046

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