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

Novahistine Dmx Decongestant Cough Formula

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1998.0252.061
accession number
1998.0252
catalog number
1998.0252.061

Rehistin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Reese Chemical Company
ID Number
1985.0475.529
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.529

Kodol Tablets for the Stomatch

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
DeWitt International Corporation
ID Number
1985.0481.081
catalog number
1985.0481.081
accession number
1985.0481

Stuart's Laxative Compound

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
maker
Stuart, F. A.
ID Number
2008.0018.164
catalog number
2008.0018.164
accession number
2008.0018

Cal-O-Zin with Phenol Cream

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Warren-Teed Products Company
ID Number
1985.0475.383
catalog number
1985.0475.383
accession number
1985.0475

T. Hill Manfield's Capillaris-X

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1933
maker
Mansfield Drug Company
ID Number
2008.0018.146
catalog number
2008.0018.146
accession number
2008.0018

Unguentine Childrens Spray, 4 Fl Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1973
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.102
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.102

Bisodol Antacid Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for fast relief from acid indigestionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for fast relief from acid indigestion
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1953-1978
maker
Whitehall Laboratories
ID Number
1985.0475.376
catalog number
1985.0475.376
accession number
1985.0475

Tashan Cream

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Sauter Laboratories
ID Number
1985.0475.573
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.573

Kohler Powders

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 1940s
maker
Kohler Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1979.1144.049
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.049

Dare's Elixir Mentha Pepsin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: as an aid to digestionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: as an aid to digestion
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1927
maker
Dare's Mentha-Pepsin Co.
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81512R02

Unguentine First Aid Aerofilm, 4 Oz, $1.49

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1960's
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.087
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.087

HoBo Medicine Diuretic

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hobo Medicine Company
ID Number
1985.0475.441
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.441
accession number
1985.0475

Dr. Caldwell's Improved Prescription Powders

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains, periodic pains, simple nervousnessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headaches, head colds, neuralgia, muscular aches and pains, periodic pains, simple nervousness
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
1978.0883.231.F
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.231.F

Clearasil Adult Care Acne Medication Cream

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
distributor
Procter & Gamble Company
maker
Procter & Gamble Company
ID Number
1998.0102.24
catalog number
1998.0102.24
accession number
1998.0102

Radway's Regulators

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1921
maker
Radway & Company Inc.
ID Number
MG.302607.173
catalog number
302607.173
accession number
302607

Poison Ivy Lotion, 4 Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.062
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.062

Tablet Gas Eliminant - Tracy

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2012.0165.806
catalog number
2012.0165.806
accession number
2012.0165

Dr. Hobson's Headache Powders

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920s
maker
Pfeiffer Chemical Company
ID Number
1979.1144.068
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.068

Acetidine Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: FOR RELIEF OF PAIN from simple HEADACHE & NEURALGIA also useful IN COMMON COLDSCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: FOR RELIEF OF PAIN from simple HEADACHE & NEURALGIA also useful IN COMMON COLDS
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
1985.0481.010
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.010

NP-27, for Athlete's Foot and Ringworm, 1 1/2 oz. avoir.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1967
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.047
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.047

Vicks Sinex Long-Lasting Decongestant Nasal Spray, 1 Fl. Oz.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1998.0252.041
accession number
1998.0252
catalog number
1998.0252.041

Unguentine Ointment, 1.14 Oz, 50 Cents

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1960's
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.088
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
v

Doan's Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Foster-Milburn Company
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81508V07

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