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: Rubs, Liniments & Ointments

Aseptinol Compound Unguent

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To be applied freely night and morning by gentle rubbing with finger. Spread on linen absorbent cotton or medicated gauzeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To be applied freely night and morning by gentle rubbing with finger. Spread on linen absorbent cotton or medicated gauze
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Aspetinol Mfg, Company
ID Number
1978.0235.185
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.185

Bishop's Liniment, For the Aches and Pains of Man or Beast

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For such aches and pains as rheumatism, neuralgia, strains, bruises, lame muscles, stiff joints, cold in chest, frosted feet [undeciferable word], chillbains, growing pains, contracted muscles, lame bac
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For such aches and pains as rheumatism, neuralgia, strains, bruises, lame muscles, stiff joints, cold in chest, frosted feet [undeciferable word], chillbains, growing pains, contracted muscles, lame back, toothache, earache, headache, pain in back, side and breast coughs, colds, store throat, swelling risings, boils, insect bites and stings, chronic skin disorders, colic and cramps.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca. 1920s
maker
E. Bishop Co.
ID Number
1978.0883.264
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.264

SPC Analgesic Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Applied Locally In Rheumatism - Gout - NeuralgiaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Applied Locally In Rheumatism - Gout - Neuralgia
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Standard Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
1978.0883.119
catalog number
1978.0883.119
accession number
1978.0883

Hobson's Poison Ivy Lotion

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A soothing and protective lotion for the relief of the discomfort of irritation by Posion Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumach, and other irritations of the skin such as Sunburn and Prickly Heat not caused by
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A soothing and protective lotion for the relief of the discomfort of irritation by Posion Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumach, and other irritations of the skin such as Sunburn and Prickly Heat not caused by a diseased condition of the system.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1940
ID Number
1978.0235.080
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.80

Sun Shine Brand Liniment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A Wonderful Medicine For Man and Beast.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A Wonderful Medicine For Man and Beast.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Sun Shine Liniment Co.
ID Number
1978.0883.098
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.098

Medicone Dressing

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For painful wounds, burns, ulcers, and fissuresCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For painful wounds, burns, ulcers, and fissures
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1940
maker
Medicone Company
ID Number
1979.0798.348
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.348

Petrolina

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Nature's great healing ointmentCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Nature's great healing ointment
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1890
maker
Binghamton Oil Refining Company
ID Number
1979.0798.177
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.177

DeWitt's Golden Liniment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A liquid counter-irritant.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A liquid counter-irritant. A practical preparation for minor sprains and bruises, superficial cuts, non-venomous insect stings, minor burns and muscular soreness of the limbs, side or back due to exertion or exposure. For Man or Beast. It is a practical preparation that can be used wherever a liniment is to be used. Stockmen will find it of value for use on strained muscles, swelling and superficial bruises of animals. Use it on non-venomous insect bites or stings.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1950
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.053
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.053

Rose-Vel

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For skin irritations and blemishes, chapped hands, face and lips, sunburn, windburn, sores, cuts, burns, eczema, boils, piles and skin troublesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For skin irritations and blemishes, chapped hands, face and lips, sunburn, windburn, sores, cuts, burns, eczema, boils, piles and skin troubles
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
H. Clarke & Sons, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0798.351
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.351

Len-Oint

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Promotes healing of cuts, small burns, irritated, chapped or chafed skin and surface wounds. Relieves distress of external rectal irritation or itching.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Promotes healing of cuts, small burns, irritated, chapped or chafed skin and surface wounds. Relieves distress of external rectal irritation or itching.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
Dr. Leonhardt Company
ID Number
1979.0798.159
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.159

Begy's True Mustarine

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Use in place of a mustard plaster or wherever hot application is indicated as a counter-irritant.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Use in place of a mustard plaster or wherever hot application is indicated as a counter-irritant.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1942
maker
S. C. Wells and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.155
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.155

Jim Crow Corn Salve

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Generally removes corns and bunions in 3 to 5 daysCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Generally removes corns and bunions in 3 to 5 days
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
J. J. Fleck
ID Number
1979.0798.349
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.349

Mentholatum

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A soothing external application for head colds, chapped skin, sunburn, nasal irritation, chafing, simple headaches, superficial burns, insect stings, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A soothing external application for head colds, chapped skin, sunburn, nasal irritation, chafing, simple headaches, superficial burns, insect stings, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
Mentholatum Company
ID Number
1979.0798.147
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.147

Sloan's Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: Aids in the relief of aches and pains associated with rheumatism, arthritis, neuraligia, sciatica lumbago, muscular aches, minor strains and sprainsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: Aids in the relief of aches and pains associated with rheumatism, arthritis, neuraligia, sciatica lumbago, muscular aches, minor strains and sprains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1950
maker
Standard Laboratories
ID Number
1980.0698.063
catalog number
1980.0698.063
accession number
1980.0698

Pineoline

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: For skin diseasesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: For skin diseases
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
Walker Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1980.0698.098
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.098

Dewitt's Vaporizing Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Externally: for superficial Burns and Cuts, non-venomous Insect Bites, Frose Bites, Sunburn and Wildburn;/ Internally: inhaled in the form of vapor that is soothing to nasal passages.Currently not on vi
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Externally: for superficial Burns and Cuts, non-venomous Insect Bites, Frose Bites, Sunburn and Wildburn;/ Internally: inhaled in the form of vapor that is soothing to nasal passages.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1980.0698.079
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.079

Begy's True Mustarine

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For use in place of a mustard plaster or wherever a hot application is indicated as a counter-irritant.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For use in place of a mustard plaster or wherever a hot application is indicated as a counter-irritant.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1942
maker
S. C. Wells and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.076
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.076

Prairie Chief Liniment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Internal & External Liniment. For Internal use only as a gastric stimulant to flatulance.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Internal & External Liniment. For Internal use only as a gastric stimulant to flatulance.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1955
maker
Stuchberry Ward Co.
ID Number
1980.0746.02
accession number
1980.0746
catalog number
1980.0746.02

Pioneer Camphorated Oil

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Morris Drug Company
ID Number
1979.0798.071
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.071

Rawleigh's Medicated Ointment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For minor injuries of the skin.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For minor injuries of the skin. For superficial burns and scalds, bruises, blisters, chafing, minor nasal irritations and congestion due to head colds, chapped hands and lips, headache, minor rectal irritation, sun burn, muscular soreness, insect stings (non-venomous). Useful for men, women and children when a soothing, medicated ointment is desired for personal use. Excellent to use after shaving.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
W. T. Rawleigh Company
ID Number
1979.0798.178
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.178

St. Jacobs Oil

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A liniment for muscular pains and aches due to exertion or exposure.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A liniment for muscular pains and aches due to exertion or exposure. Intended to help relieve rheumatic pains, pain of neuritis and neuralgia, superficial muscular discomfort from strains, bruises, stiffness or soreness contingent upon exertion or exposure; in fact, useful wherever an efficient counter-irritant, rubefacient, local application is needed.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Wyeth Chemical Company
ID Number
1979.0798.125
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.125

Gypsy Foot Relief

[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
ca 1920
maker
Hi Gypsy Company
ID Number
1979.0798.158
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.158

Old North State Ointment

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: For cuts, bruises, eczema, burns, sunburn, ringworm, itch, chafing, pimples on face, and any other inflammation of the skinCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: For cuts, bruises, eczema, burns, sunburn, ringworm, itch, chafing, pimples on face, and any other inflammation of the skin
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
retailer
Tupper's Pharmacy
maker
Old North State Ointment Co.
ID Number
1980.0698.020
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.020

Prairie King Liniment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An excellent liniment to relieve minor muscular aches and pains due to overexertion and fatigue, sprains, bruises, frostbite, non-poisonous insect bites, simple headache and neuralgia.Currently not on v
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An excellent liniment to relieve minor muscular aches and pains due to overexertion and fatigue, sprains, bruises, frostbite, non-poisonous insect bites, simple headache and neuralgia.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1955
maker
Stuchberry Ward Co.
ID Number
1980.0746.03
accession number
1980.0746
catalog number
1980.0746.03

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