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: New York

Locurto's Adult Nasal Spray

For temporary relief of nasal congestion and distress due to colds, hay fever, allergies.Currently not on view
Description
For temporary relief of nasal congestion and distress due to colds, hay fever, allergies.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Locurto's Pharmacy
ID Number
1981.0219.074
accession number
1981.0219
catalog number
1981.0219.074

M-D-C

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1988.0717.31
accession number
1988.0717
catalog number
1988.0717.31

T-Mist Nasal Spray, 1 Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1959
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.073
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.073

Nebs, 30 Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1959
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.028
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.028

Amifur Dressing, 16 Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1972
maker
Norwich Agricultural Products
ID Number
1986.0198.001
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.001

Anestol, 1 1/2 Fl Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1952
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.006
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.006

Peterson's Ointment

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Peterson Ointment Company
ID Number
1985.0464.02
accession number
1985.0464
catalog number
1985.0464.02

Unguentine, Spanish Label

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.106
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.106

Unguentine, 65 Gr

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1959
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.089
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.089

Hood's Vegetable Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: laxative, catharticCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: laxative, cathartic
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920s
maker
C. I. Hood Company
ID Number
2008.0018.066
catalog number
2008.0018.066
accession number
2008.0018

Veritables French Laxative Pellets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: laxative and thorough intestinal cleanerCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: laxative and thorough intestinal cleaner
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Scientific Research Laboratories
ID Number
2008.0018.104
catalog number
2008.0018.104
accession number
2008.0018

Norwich Head & Chest Cold Medicine, 8 Fl. Oz.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1981-1984
maker
Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals
ID Number
1984.0718.134
catalog number
1984.0718.134
accession number
1984.0718

Kohler Powders

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 1940s
maker
Kohler Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0170.057.B
accession number
1981.0170
catalog number
1981.0170.057.B

Cocillana, Syrup, 90cc

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1968
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.014
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.014

Syrup Squill, Prepared in the United Society

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
United Society
ID Number
2012.0165.755
catalog number
2012.0165.755
accession number
2012.0165

Medicone Dressing

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0464.04
accession number
1985.0464
catalog number
1985.0464.04

Unguentine Plus Ointment, 2Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1973
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.100
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.100

Radway's Ready Relief

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
ZZ.RSN83048753

Peptans, Liquid, 6 Fl Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1962
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.055
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.055

Bayer-Tablets of Aspirin

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Used since 1900 for the relief of Pain and Discomfort in Simple Headaches and Neuralgias, Head Colds, Muscular Aches and Pains, and as a gargle for relief of minor throat irritations.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Used since 1900 for the relief of Pain and Discomfort in Simple Headaches and Neuralgias, Head Colds, Muscular Aches and Pains, and as a gargle for relief of minor throat irritations. Does 1-2 tablets with water 3 to 4 times daily as required. Genuine Bayer Aspirin Tablets are made exclusively by the Bayer Company, Inc., Originators of Aspirin.
Aspirin, acetyl salicylic acid, was developed in the late 19th century at the Bayer company in Elberfeld, Germany. In 1900, Bayer received a patent for the drug in the United States and also registered the trademark name, Aspirin. The patent expired in 1917, and the trademark was partly struck down in a 1921 court ruling. The judge ruled that the aspirin name had passed into the public domain and that packages of 50 or less tablets could be sold to the public as "aspirin" by any manufacturer. The red script "Genuine," featured on this tin, appeared in Bayer Tablets of Aspirin advertising shortly after the 1921 ruling and was incorporated in the product label.
date made
ca 1930
maker
Bayer Company, Inc.
ID Number
MG.312608.342
catalog number
312608.342
accession number
312608

Dr. Scholl's Foot Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A soothing application for massaging the feet. Aids in relieving sensitive, tired feet, tenderness, burning sensation and muscular soreness caused by exertion and fatigue.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A soothing application for massaging the feet. Aids in relieving sensitive, tired feet, tenderness, burning sensation and muscular soreness caused by exertion and fatigue.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1960s
maker
Scholl Manufacturing Company
ID Number
2008.0018.260
catalog number
2008.0018.260
accession number
2008.0018

Par (Antacid)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Vick Chemical Company
ID Number
1998.0267.20.01
catalog number
1998.0267.20.01
accession number
1998.0267

Ocusol Eye Lotion, 3 7/8 Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.053
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.053

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.RSN81512R03

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