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: Respiratory & Asthma Drugs

Axon Inhaler

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Fast, temporary relief of nasal and simple sinus congestion due to colds or Hay Fever.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Fast, temporary relief of nasal and simple sinus congestion due to colds or Hay Fever.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1960s-1970s
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1985.0475.354
catalog number
1985.0475.354
accession number
1985.0475

Dr. Platt's Cal-Rinex Formula

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For temporary relief of asthma paroxysms, headache and excessive watery secretion associated with head colds and hay fever.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For temporary relief of asthma paroxysms, headache and excessive watery secretion associated with head colds and hay fever.
Location
Currently not on view
distributor
E. Fougera and Company
ID Number
1985.0481.056
catalog number
1985.0481.056
accession number
1985.0481

Fry's Hydrocarboline Spray Solution

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: aseptic hydrocarboline nebulizerCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: aseptic hydrocarboline nebulizer
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
Frye, George C.
ID Number
1984.0782.062
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.062

Eucalyptus Oil, N.F.

This object is one of over 700 medically related objects used on the set of the television show M*A*S*H.
Description
This object is one of over 700 medically related objects used on the set of the television show M*A*S*H. Most of these items are authentic medical instruments, supplies, and equipment from the 1950s.
M*A*S*H was an award-winning television show based on the bestselling novel and Oscar winning motion picture film of the same title. It portrayed the lives of doctors and nurses assigned to a fictitious medical unit, the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, based in Uijeongbu, Korea during the 1950-1953 war. The program was initially broadcast from September 17, 1972 to February 28, 1983.
After the show ended in 1983, Twentieth Century Fox donated material from the two major sets, the “Swamp” and the “Operating Theater,” to the museum, along with scripts, photographs, and interviews with individuals who served in MASH units in Korea and Vietnam. See accessions 1983.0095, 1985.0335, 1988.0748, 1988.3163, and archival collection NMAH.AC.0117, for further MASH material.
For use as an expectorant in chronic bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1983
maker
Whiteworth Incorporated
ID Number
1985.0252.431
accession number
1985.0252
catalog number
1985.0252.431

Brater's Powder

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For temporary relief of paroxysms of asthmaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For temporary relief of paroxysms of asthma
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
John K. Brater and Company, Inc.
ID Number
1984.0351.021
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.021

Fritillaria Verticellata and Loquat Tonic Drink

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Specially cures coughs, colds, excessive spittum, asthma, etc. It is manufactured from Chinese herbs and is suitable for the use of all people.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Specially cures coughs, colds, excessive spittum, asthma, etc. It is manufactured from Chinese herbs and is suitable for the use of all people. When taken regularly it promotes Radiant Health.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1988
maker
Poon Goor Soe
ID Number
1989.0196.224
catalog number
1989.0196.224
accession number
1989.0196

Babee Teething Lotion

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For prompt relief from the pain associated with BABY TEETHING, new or poorly fitting DENTURES and TOOTHACHE.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For prompt relief from the pain associated with BABY TEETHING, new or poorly fitting DENTURES and TOOTHACHE.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Pfeiffer Company
ID Number
1985.0475.362
catalog number
1985.0475.362
accession number
1985.0475

666 Salve

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For head or chest colds, headaches or neuralgia, irritation of throat or nasal passages due to colds, 666 Salve generally gives quick relief.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For head or chest colds, headaches or neuralgia, irritation of throat or nasal passages due to colds, 666 Salve generally gives quick relief. Fine dressing for minor burns, sunburns, sores, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
Monticello Drug Company
ID Number
1984.0782.176
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.176

Tar, Wild Cherry and Horehound Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For all affections of the throat and lungs, such as acute and chronic coughs, colds, asthma, bronchitis, croup, hoarsness, and whooping coughCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For all affections of the throat and lungs, such as acute and chronic coughs, colds, asthma, bronchitis, croup, hoarsness, and whooping cough
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Clark and Deck
ID Number
1989.0711.56
catalog number
1989.0711.56
accession number
1989.0711

African Sea Coconut

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:An excellent cough mixture and lung tonic for coughs, bronchitis, influenza, colds, sore throat, asthma, tickling throat, whooping cough, catarrh, chronic cough, loss of voice, and spittingCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
An excellent cough mixture and lung tonic for coughs, bronchitis, influenza, colds, sore throat, asthma, tickling throat, whooping cough, catarrh, chronic cough, loss of voice, and spitting
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1960
maker
L. F. Medicine Company
ID Number
1989.0711.01
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.01

Samuel Kidder & Co's Asthmatic Pastilles

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1947
maker
Samuel Kidder & Co.
ID Number
2008.0018.162
catalog number
2008.0018.162
accession number
2008.0018

Dr. M. C. Kreitzer's German Stomach Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the permanent cure of liver complaint, jaundice, dyspepsia, nervous debility, asthma, disease of the kidneys, and all diseases arising from a disordered liver or stomachCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the permanent cure of liver complaint, jaundice, dyspepsia, nervous debility, asthma, disease of the kidneys, and all diseases arising from a disordered liver or stomach
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1898-1902
maker
Kreitzler, M. C.
ID Number
2008.0062.27
accession number
2008.0062
catalog number
2008.0062.27

F B Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A palliative, tending to aid in the alleviation of the paroxysms of bronchial asthma.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A palliative, tending to aid in the alleviation of the paroxysms of bronchial asthma.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Free Breath Products Company
ID Number
2010.0213.014
accession number
2010.0213
catalog number
2010.0213.014
2010.0213.014

Dr. Guild's Green Mountain Asthmatic Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To relieve attacks and paroxysms of asthma.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To relieve attacks and paroxysms of asthma.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
After 1948
maker
J. H. Guild Company
ID Number
2010.0213.003
accession number
2010.0213
catalog number
2010.0213.003

Dr. Guild's Green Mountain Asthmatic Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To relieve attacks and paroxysms of asthma.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To relieve attacks and paroxysms of asthma.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
After 1948
maker
J. H. Guild Company
ID Number
2010.0213.002
accession number
2010.0213
catalog number
2010.0213.002
2010.0213.002

Kinsman's Asthmatic Powder

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To relieve the distress of asthmatic paroxysmsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To relieve the distress of asthmatic paroxysms
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Capital Drug Co., Inc.
ID Number
2010.0213.010
accession number
2010.0213
catalog number
2010.0213.010
2010.0213.010

Dr. Van Wert's Balsam for the Lungs

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, coughs, and colds. For asthma, bronchitis, croup and whooping coughCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, coughs, and colds. For asthma, bronchitis, croup and whooping cough
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906-1908
maker
Van Wert Chemical Company
ID Number
2008.0062.17
accession number
2008.0062
catalog number
2008.0062.17

Veno's Cough Syrup

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1925
ID Number
2008.0018.249
catalog number
2008.0018.249
accession number
2008.0018

Dr. Guild's Green Mountain Asthmatic Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To relieve acute asthmatic attacks.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To relieve acute asthmatic attacks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1868
maker
J. H. Guild Company
ID Number
2010.0213.018
accession number
2010.0213
catalog number
2010.0213.018

Templeton's Raz-mah Greys

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For paroxysms of asthmaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For paroxysms of asthma
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1946
maker
Templeton's Incorporated
ID Number
2010.0213.013
accession number
2010.0213
catalog number
2010.0213.013
2010.0213.013

Ballard's Wonderful Golden Oil

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the treatment of coughts, colds, croup, asthma, hoarseness, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, catarrh, colic, salt rheum, cholera morbus, rheumatism, LaGrippe, sciatica, lame back, chilblains, fro
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the treatment of coughts, colds, croup, asthma, hoarseness, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, catarrh, colic, salt rheum, cholera morbus, rheumatism, LaGrippe, sciatica, lame back, chilblains, frost bites, burns, fresh wounds, sprains, neuralgia, old sores, erysipelas, bruises, whooping coah and throat and lung diseases.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1902
maker
Ballard Golden Oil Co.
ID Number
2008.0018.110
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.110

Dr. R. Schiffmann's Asthmador

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the instant relief of bronchial asthma, hay fever and spasmodic croup.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the instant relief of bronchial asthma, hay fever and spasmodic croup.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919 - 1940
1919-1940
maker
R. Schiffman Co.
ID Number
2008.0018.130
catalog number
2008.0018.130
accession number
2008.0018

Psychine

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Wonderful remedy for consumption and all other disorders of the throat and lungs, restorative, digestive, invigorating, sustaining.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Wonderful remedy for consumption and all other disorders of the throat and lungs, restorative, digestive, invigorating, sustaining. Continously nourishes, fortifies, refreshes and strengthens the entire organism.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906-1908
maker
T. A. Slocum Company
ID Number
2008.0062.26
accession number
2008.0062
catalog number
2008.0062.26

Dr. Guild's Green Mountain Asthmatic Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To relieve acute asthmatic attacks.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To relieve acute asthmatic attacks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1868
maker
J. H. Guild Company
ID Number
2010.0213.017
accession number
2010.0213
catalog number
2010.0213.017

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