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: Pain & Neuralgia Drugs

Sutherland's Eagle Eye Salve

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Recommended for relieving inflamed lids, irritated eyes. and inflammation caused by wind, dirt, dust and coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Recommended for relieving inflamed lids, irritated eyes. and inflammation caused by wind, dirt, dust and colds
Location
Currently not on view
maker
E.E. Southerland Medicine Company
ID Number
1985.0481.109
catalog number
1985.0481.109
accession number
1985.0481

Dr. Pierce's Smart Weed

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the relief of acute pains and sudden attacks of the diseasesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the relief of acute pains and sudden attacks of the diseases
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
ca 1900 - 1930
maker
Pierce, R. V.
ID Number
1984.0782.154
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.154

Dr. Carter's K & B Tea

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: ...an agreeable laxative. Correct sick headache, upset stomach and other temporary disorders due to constipation.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: ...an agreeable laxative. Correct sick headache, upset stomach and other temporary disorders due to constipation.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
S. C. Wells and Company
ID Number
1985.0481.049
catalog number
1985.0481.049
accession number
1985.0481

Antikamnia &Quinine Tablets, 5 grain

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Nervine, antipyretic, analgesic & anodyneCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Nervine, antipyretic, analgesic & anodyne
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1904
maker
Antikamnia Chemical Company
ID Number
1984.0782.009
catalog number
1984.0782.009
accession number
1984.0782

Hunts Health Pills and Liver Cure Little Gems

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headache, biliousness, malaria, dyspepsia, dizziness and liver troublesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Headache, biliousness, malaria, dyspepsia, dizziness and liver troubles
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1899
maker
Hunts Remedy Company
ID Number
1984.0782.094
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.094

Hoffman's Harmless Headache Powders

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A simple and effective cure for all headchesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A simple and effective cure for all headches
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1890
maker
Hoffman Drug Company
ID Number
1984.0782.084
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.084

Antikamnia, powdered

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Analgesic, antipyretic, anodyneCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Analgesic, antipyretic, anodyne
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906-1908
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Antikamnia Chemical Company
ID Number
1984.0351.083
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.083

Jayne's Sanative Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Liver complaints, jaundice, dyspepsia, fevers, nervousness, impurity of the blood, inflammation, costiveness, pains in the head, breast, side of the back and the limbsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Liver complaints, jaundice, dyspepsia, fevers, nervousness, impurity of the blood, inflammation, costiveness, pains in the head, breast, side of the back and the limbs
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1857
maker
D. Jayne
ID Number
1984.0782.103
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.103

Aspirin tablets, N.F.

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:An aid in the relief of the discomfort due to simple colds, simple headaches, simple neuralgia, and simple sore throat.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
An aid in the relief of the discomfort due to simple colds, simple headaches, simple neuralgia, and simple sore throat.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1935
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1984.0351.087
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.087

Ramon's Tabs, Aspirin and Caffeine, 5 Grain

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For relief of pain and distress resulting from simple headaches, fatigued muscles, head colds, and neuralgiaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:
For relief of pain and distress resulting from simple headaches, fatigued muscles, head colds, and neuralgia
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
distributor
Brown Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1985.0460.223
catalog number
1985.0460.223
accession number
1985.0460

Antikamnia & Codeine Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c.1906-1908
1906-1908
maker
Antikamnia Chemical Company
ID Number
1984.0782.010
catalog number
1984.0782.010
accession number
1984.0782

Chamberlain's Liniment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An excellent massage for muscular sorenes caused by violent exercise or fatigue, simple neuralgia, sprains and strains, bites and stings of insects.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An excellent massage for muscular sorenes caused by violent exercise or fatigue, simple neuralgia, sprains and strains, bites and stings of insects. A favorite liniment for athletes.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1930
Associated Name
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
1985.0460.021
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.021

DeWitt's Aspirin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For headache, colds, neuralgia, and gargleCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For headache, colds, neuralgia, and gargle
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.084
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.084

Shiloh

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A palliative or relief for coughs, colds, irritated throat, and hoarsenessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A palliative or relief for coughs, colds, irritated throat, and hoarseness
Location
Currently not on view
maker
S. C. Wells and Company
ID Number
1985.0481.107.1
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.107.1
accession number
1985.0481

Axon Chest Rub

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Fast Relief of Muscular Soreness and Local Congestion due to Colds.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Fast Relief of Muscular Soreness and Local Congestion due to Colds.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1985.0475.353
catalog number
1985.0475.353
accession number
1985.0475

#99 Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For discomfort due to simple headache, simple neuralgia, and simple muscular aches and pains, and for pain caused by tooth extractions and simple coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For discomfort due to simple headache, simple neuralgia, and simple muscular aches and pains, and for pain caused by tooth extractions and simple colds
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1984.0351.094
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.094

Sabrook Anti-Pain Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For headache, neuralgia, backache, colics, cramps, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For headache, neuralgia, backache, colics, cramps, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Name
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Brooks Company
ID Number
1985.0460.232
catalog number
1985.0460.232
accession number
1985.0460

Eureka Headache Powder

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: prompt relief for sick and nervous headache and a soothing anodyne for many kinds of painDirections: Take a powder on the tongue, or in a spoonful of milk or coffee, repeat the dose ONCE after 20 minute
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: prompt relief for sick and nervous headache and a soothing anodyne for many kinds of pain
Directions: Take a powder on the tongue, or in a spoonful of milk or coffee, repeat the dose ONCE after 20 minutes; Children, one-third to one-half pwder.
It contains no pium or other narcotic, and leaves no unpleasant after-effect. No habit can be established by its use.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1908
maker
Eureka Headache Powder Company
ID Number
1984.0782.059
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.059

DeWitt's Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Backache and joint painsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Backache and joint pains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1980
maker
DeWitt International Corporation
ID Number
1985.0475.410
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.410
accession number
1985.0475

Haley's CTC

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For hyperacidity and excess acid in the stomach.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For hyperacidity and excess acid in the stomach. To prevent as well as correct simple headaches, colds, sour stomach, run-down feeling and lack of pep in the morning - caused by an excess of acid in the blood as well as stomach, which affects the entire system.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1933-1935
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Haley M-O Company
ID Number
1985.0460.213
catalog number
1985.0460.213
accession number
1985.0460

Dents Toothache Drops

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:The action of Dent's Toothache Drops is such that it lessens the perception of pain and usually relieves the distress of toothache in a tooth having a cavity.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
The action of Dent's Toothache Drops is such that it lessens the perception of pain and usually relieves the distress of toothache in a tooth having a cavity.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1955
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
C. S. Dent and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.254
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.254

Tysmol Absorbant

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For neuritis, nerve pain, sciatica, neuralgia, rheumatismCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For neuritis, nerve pain, sciatica, neuralgia, rheumatism
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Tysmol Company
ID Number
1985.0481.123
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.123
accession number
1985.0481

Stanno-Yeast

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A defensive treatment against staphylococcic infection and intestinal corrective indicated in acne and furunculosisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A defensive treatment against staphylococcic infection and intestinal corrective indicated in acne and furunculosis
Location
Currently not on view
maker
G. S. Stoddard and Company
ID Number
1985.0481.114
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.114
accession number
1985.0481

X-Zalia

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the prevention and cure of blood poisoning. For wounds, burns, scalds, cuts, bruises, bites, and stings of insects, and poison from plants. For catarrh, head colds, and hay fever. For sore throat.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the prevention and cure of blood poisoning. For wounds, burns, scalds, cuts, bruises, bites, and stings of insects, and poison from plants. For catarrh, head colds, and hay fever. For sore throat. For inflammatory rheumatism, sprains and lameness.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1893
maker
X-Zalia Corporation
ID Number
1984.0782.219
catalog number
1984.0782.219
accession number
1984.0782

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