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: Laxatives

Boal's Rolls

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A pleasant laxative; reliable in effectCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A pleasant laxative; reliable in effect
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1935
ID Number
MG.313462.077
accession number
313462
catalog number
313462.077

Cascarets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: constipation
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Sterling Products Inc.
ID Number
MG.293320.1197
catalog number
293320.1197
accession number
293320

Simmons Liver Regulator or Medicine

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For disorders of the liver; sick headache arising from bilious condition; constipation of the bowels; sour stomach; biliousnessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For disorders of the liver; sick headache arising from bilious condition; constipation of the bowels; sour stomach; biliousness
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
J. H. Zeilin and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10410.01
catalog number
M-10410.01
accession number
246707

Boal's Rolls

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A pleasant laxative; reliable in effectCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A pleasant laxative; reliable in effect
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1935
ID Number
MG.313462.076
accession number
313462
catalog number
313462.076

Sal Laxa

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Treatment of constipation, rheumatismCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Treatment of constipation, rheumatism
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.293320.1363
catalog number
293320.1363
accession number
293320

Doan's Regulets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Intended for biliousness. Headache and dizziness when due to simple constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Intended for biliousness. Headache and dizziness when due to simple constipation
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.313462.086
catalog number
313462.086
accession number
313462

Porter ( None Such) Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: remedy for constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: remedy for constipation
Location
Currently not on view
maker
George H. Rundle Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1347
catalog number
293320.1347
accession number
293320

Stuart's Laxative Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For temporary constipation and for the relief of headaches and other disorders due to the condition.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For temporary constipation and for the relief of headaches and other disorders due to the condition.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
F. A. Stuart Company
ID Number
MG.313462.006
catalog number
313462.006
accession number
313462

Dr. Shoop's Restorative Nerve Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Relief of acute constipation, nervousness, biliousness, sleeplessness, trembling, hysteria, spasms, conditions of the brain and nervous systemCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Relief of acute constipation, nervousness, biliousness, sleeplessness, trembling, hysteria, spasms, conditions of the brain and nervous system
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1904
maker
Dr. C. I. Shoop
ID Number
MG.293320.1373
catalog number
293320.1373
accession number
293320

Mason's Health Defenders

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: ConstipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Constipation
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Henry J. Mason
ID Number
MG.313462.048.1
catalog number
313462.48
accession number
313462

Brown's Tonic Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for headache, constipation, and indigestionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for headache, constipation, and indigestion
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c.1908-1918
maker
Komo Chemical Company
ID Number
MG.M-09914
catalog number
M-09914
accession number
238503

Krause's Headache Capsules

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headache. A mild laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headache. A mild laxative
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
maker
Norman Lichty Manufacturing Company
ID Number
MG.274347.323
catalog number
M-12141
accession number
274347
catalog number
274347.323

Goff's Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Indigestion caused by inactivity of the stomach, constipation, heartburn, coated tongue, loss of appetite, inactive bowels, sour stomach, gas belching, flatulence, bad tasteCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Indigestion caused by inactivity of the stomach, constipation, heartburn, coated tongue, loss of appetite, inactive bowels, sour stomach, gas belching, flatulence, bad taste
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
S. B. Goff & Sons Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.37
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Thedford's Velvo or Laxative Liver Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Remedy for constipation, biliousness, sick headache, indigestion and all disorders of liver, stomach and bowelsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Remedy for constipation, biliousness, sick headache, indigestion and all disorders of liver, stomach and bowels
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Chattanooga Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1289
catalog number
293320.1289
accession number
293320

Dr. W. B. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and conditions resulting from it.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation and conditions resulting from it. Owing to its mild action and pleasant taste the ideal laxative for children, women and old folks, and all those who cannot stand a harsh purgative.
A pleasant laxative compound composed of drugs known to be beneficial when an evacuant is indicated, acting gently on the bowels as a flushing agent to relieve conditions due to constipation. Disturbances arising from sluggish bowels may be helped by its use.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Pepsin Syrup Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup46]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Nature's Remedy NR Jrs

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Acts on stomach, kidneys, liver and bowelsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Acts on stomach, kidneys, liver and bowels
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
Associated Name
A. H. Lewis Medicine Co.
maker
A. H. Lewis Medicine Co.
ID Number
MG.293320.1257
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1257

Ex-Lax The Chocolated Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
maker
Ex-Lax Manufacturing Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1297
catalog number
293320.1297
accession number
293320

Mother Seigel's Curative Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For tonic and alterative effect. Laxative and cathartic.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For tonic and alterative effect. Laxative and cathartic.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
after 1880
maker
A. J. White, Limited
ID Number
MG.293320.1368
catalog number
293320.1368
accession number
293320

Dr. Shoop's Restorative Nerve Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Relief of acute constipation, nervousness, biliousness, sleeplessness, trembling, hysteria, spasms, conditions of the brain and nervous systemCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Relief of acute constipation, nervousness, biliousness, sleeplessness, trembling, hysteria, spasms, conditions of the brain and nervous system
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1904
maker
Dr. C. I. Shoop
ID Number
MG.293320.1374
catalog number
293320.1374
accession number
293320

Dr. Carter's K & B Tea

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
S. C. Wells and Company
ID Number
MG.254865.19
accession number
254865
catalog number
254865.19

Porter ( None Such) Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: remedy for constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: remedy for constipation
Location
Currently not on view
maker
George H. Rundle Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1346
catalog number
293320.1346
accession number
293320

Schenck's Mandrake Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: occasional constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: occasional constipation
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
maker
Dr. J. H. Schenck & Son
ID Number
MG.313462.015
catalog number
313462.015
accession number
313462

May's Health Pearls

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For constipation, biliousness, sick headache, dizziness, and torpid liver; all diseases resulting from irregularity of the bowels and unhygenic livingCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For constipation, biliousness, sick headache, dizziness, and torpid liver; all diseases resulting from irregularity of the bowels and unhygenic living
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Diamond Laboratory
ID Number
MG.M-12151.10
catalog number
314016.083
accession number
271464
catalog number
M-12151

Petrolagar

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the promotion of proper fecal consistency and the restoration of normal bowel habit timeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the promotion of proper fecal consistency and the restoration of normal bowel habit time
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1934
maker
Petrolager Laboratories
ID Number
MG.293320.1332
catalog number
293320.1332
accession number
293320

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