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.

Dr. Spiegel's Stomach & Liver Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr M. Spiegel
ID Number
1978.0883.077.B
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.077.B

Spim Greatest of Blood and Skin Remedies

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1978.0883.079B
catalog number
1978.0883.079B
accession number
1978.0883

Warner's Safe Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Warner's Safe Remedies Company
ID Number
1978.0883.068B
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.068B

Bottle

Greenish glass bottle with embossed inscriptions that read "SCHENCK'S / PULMONIC / SYRUP / PHILADA." The syrup was on the market by 1865. The A.M.A.
Description
Greenish glass bottle with embossed inscriptions that read "SCHENCK'S / PULMONIC / SYRUP / PHILADA." The syrup was on the market by 1865. The A.M.A. reported in 1913 that it was “essentially a wintergreen-flavored mixture of saccharin syrups.” In 1914, an attorney for the Southern District of New York, seized and condemned several cases of Schenck’s pulmonic syrup, claiming they were misbranded in violation of the federal Pure Food and Drug Act.
Ref: Full page ad for J. H. Schenck’s Pulmonic Syrup in New York Times (Nov. 18, 1865), p. 3.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.65.2073
accession number
256516
catalog number
65.2073

Bottle

Greenish glass bottle with embossed inscription that reads “SCHENCK’S / SEAWEED / TONIC.” Advertisements claimed that this tonic cured dyspepsia and debility. Skeptics noted its high alcohol content.Currently not on view
Description
Greenish glass bottle with embossed inscription that reads “SCHENCK’S / SEAWEED / TONIC.” Advertisements claimed that this tonic cured dyspepsia and debility. Skeptics noted its high alcohol content.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr. J. H. Schenck & Son
ID Number
MG.65.2074
accession number
256516
catalog number
65.2074

Bottle

Greenish glass bottle with paper label that reads in part “J. F. PERKINS & BRO., Pharmacists / S.W. Corner Greene and Franklin Streets.” A penciled inscription reads “Lime Water.” The firm, the oldest pharmacy in Baltimore, was established ca. 1800.Currently not on view
Description
Greenish glass bottle with paper label that reads in part “J. F. PERKINS & BRO., Pharmacists / S.W. Corner Greene and Franklin Streets.” A penciled inscription reads “Lime Water.” The firm, the oldest pharmacy in Baltimore, was established ca. 1800.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1865
maker
J.F. Perkins & Bro.
ID Number
MG.65.2069
catalog number
65.2069
accession number
256516

Bottle

Glass bottle with embossed inscriptions that read “TAYEBI / . . . MAHOMAD & . . . / BOMBAY” and “EXTRA / STRONG GLASS.” A paper label refers to soda water.Currently not on view
Description
Glass bottle with embossed inscriptions that read “TAYEBI / . . . MAHOMAD & . . . / BOMBAY” and “EXTRA / STRONG GLASS.” A paper label refers to soda water.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1885-1895
maker
Ali Mahomed & Co.
ID Number
MG.65.2100
catalog number
65.2100
accession number
256516

Bottle

Greenish glass bottle with embossed inscriptions that read "SCHENCK'S / PULMONIC / SYRUP / PHILADA." The A.M.A.
Description
Greenish glass bottle with embossed inscriptions that read "SCHENCK'S / PULMONIC / SYRUP / PHILADA." The A.M.A. reported in 1913 that Schenck’s syrup was “essentially a wintergreen-flavored mixture of saccharin syrups.” In 1914, an attorney for the Southern District of New York, seized and condemned several cases of Schenck’s pulmonic syrup, claiming they were misbranded in violation of the federal Pure Food and Drug Act.
Ref: Full page ad for J. H. Schenck’s Pulmonic Syrup in New York Times (Nov. 18, 1865), p. 3.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.293320.1528
catalog number
293320.1528
accession number
293320

Glycogen de Nitis

Brown and gold-colored tin with hinged lid and decorative motif on sides and borders. Tin is empty. Original contents: one grain capsules of Glycogen. Probably imported from France by E.
Description
Brown and gold-colored tin with hinged lid and decorative motif on sides and borders. Tin is empty. Original contents: one grain capsules of Glycogen. Probably imported from France by E. Fougera and Company of New York.
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: In tuberculosis, typhoid fever, scarlatina, furunculosis [infection of the hair follicle], diphtheria, influenza, in neurasthenic conditions, weak heart, migraine, morphinism, tobaccoism, etc.
Antitoxic and distinctly bactericidal, stimulating the natural resistance of the organism to pathogenic invasions.
In the early 1900s, French doctor, Jacques de Nittis, introduced the therapeutic use of glycogen, a naturally occuring substance which stores carbohydrates in the body. The substance was thought to help increase the production of white blood cells and thus help the body fight off infection. It was also employed in wasting conditions such as those brought on by cancer, tuberculosis, and diabetes, to help rebuild strenghth and weight.
SEE: de Nittis, Jacques, "Glycogen, A Therapeutic Aid (Translated from the Tribune Medicale, April 2, 1904.)" in Southern Medicine, Volume 11, No. 3, September, 1904, pp 11-12.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1905
maker
E. Fougera and Company
ID Number
2019.0068.01
catalog number
2019.0068.01
accession number
2019.0068

Stearns Cod Liver Oil Emulsion

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, scrofula, eruption, debility and wasting awayCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, scrofula, eruption, debility and wasting away
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Frederick Stearns & Co.
ID Number
1985.0481.210
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.210

Dr. Hale's Household Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1890-1910
maker
Kenyon and Thomas
ID Number
1999.0015.2
catalog number
1999.0015.2
accession number
1999.0015

Pape's Diapepsin Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Diapepsin Compound is intended for use in acid-dyspepsia, often termed by the public indigestion, dyspepsia, gas on stomach, heartburn, flatulence, sour stomach.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Diapepsin Compound is intended for use in acid-dyspepsia, often termed by the public indigestion, dyspepsia, gas on stomach, heartburn, flatulence, sour stomach.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1917
maker
Sterling Products Inc.
ID Number
1985.0481.092
catalog number
1985.0481.092
accession number
1985.0481

Pain-Eze

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Fournet Drugstore
ID Number
1985.0475.500
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.500

Dr. Tichenor's Family Antiseptic

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr. G.H. Tichenor Antiseptic Co.
ID Number
1985.0475.578
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.578

Worm Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: WormsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Worms
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Gilson's Drug Store
ID Number
MG.274347.194
catalog number
274347.194
accession number
274347

Bonded Super-Gestine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
William A. Webster Company
ID Number
1985.0481.024
catalog number
1985.0481.024
accession number
1985.0481

Unguentine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.079
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.079

Sorbol Quadruple

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Name
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Sorbol Company
ID Number
1985.0460.208
catalog number
1985.0460.208
accession number
1985.0460

Potaska Diphtheria & Sore Throat Remedy

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-11460.02
catalog number
M-11460.02
accession number
260557

Vicks Formula 44 Cough Mixture And Cough Discs

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Vick Chemical Company, Division of Richardson Merrell
ID Number
1998.0267.41
catalog number
1998.0267.41
accession number
1998.0267

Tiger Balm

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.07
catalog number
M-06892.07
accession number
210760

Munyon's Rheumatism Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Prepared for rheumatic pains or sorenessin any part of the body, and for stiffness, swelling or tendernessof the joins and muscles.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Prepared for rheumatic pains or sorenessin any part of the body, and for stiffness, swelling or tendernessof the joins and muscles.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908 - 1918
maker
Munyon Homeopathic Home Remedies
ID Number
2009.0097.22
accession number
2009.0097
catalog number
2009.0097.22

Atophan

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Schering & Glatz
ID Number
MG.314016.057
catalog number
314016.057
accession number
314016

Nyal Santacaps

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-12140 [dup31]
catalog number
M-12140
accession number
274347

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