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.

Place: Illinois

Foley Family Pills for Biliousness Constipation & Headaches

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Biliousness, constipation and headacheCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Biliousness, constipation and headache
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908-1918
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.074
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.074

A-C Troches

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For simple coughs due to throat irritation caused by colds, excessive use of the voice, or smoking. Also to prevent gagging before the introduction of tongue depressors or dentures.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For simple coughs due to throat irritation caused by colds, excessive use of the voice, or smoking. Also to prevent gagging before the introduction of tongue depressors or dentures.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1948
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Abbott Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.123
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.123

Dr. X. Stone's Throat Wafers

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For throat irritations, coughs, hoarseness, tickling of the throat, minor cough due to irritation, and children's coughsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For throat irritations, coughs, hoarseness, tickling of the throat, minor cough due to irritation, and children's coughs
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1933
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Stone Medicine Company
ID Number
1984.0351.002
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.002

DeWitt's Creosant Troches

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For coughs due to colds, also soothing for minor bronchial and throat irritations associated with common coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For coughs due to colds, also soothing for minor bronchial and throat irritations associated with common colds
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.007
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.007

DeWitt's Headache Tablets, 2 1/2 gr. tabs

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For headachesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For headaches
Location
Currently not on view
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1985.0481.046
catalog number
1985.0481.046
accession number
1985.0481

DDD Prescription

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A remedial agent for the relief of itching caused by irritations of the skin and scalpCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A remedial agent for the relief of itching caused by irritations of the skin and scalp
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1940s-1960s
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Campana Corporation
ID Number
1985.0460.028
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.028

Calocide

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For professional and home use to ease tired, tender, uncomfortable feet, hard corns, and callouses.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For professional and home use to ease tired, tender, uncomfortable feet, hard corns, and callouses. Package also contains special plasters used in conjunction with foot bath to treat hard corns.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1945-01
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Consolidated Royal Chemical Corporation
ID Number
1984.0351.036
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.036

Castoria

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A special laxative for infants and growing childrenCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A special laxative for infants and growing children
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1948-1956
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Sterling Drug Inc. Centaur-Caldwell Division
ID Number
1984.0351.049
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.049

DeWitt's Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A diuretic stimulant for the kidneys. Promotes the flow of urine. Intended to relieve sluggish flow of urine caused by non-functional disturbances.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A diuretic stimulant for the kidneys. Promotes the flow of urine. Intended to relieve sluggish flow of urine caused by non-functional disturbances.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.001
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.001

Orange Blossom Suppositories

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the local irritation of simple vaginitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the local irritation of simple vaginitis
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Dr. J. A. McGill Company
ID Number
1985.0460.077
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.077

DeWitt's Compound Gaduol Tonic Pills, Cod Liver Oil Extract

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Tonic alterative and nutritive. Valuable preparation in case of malnutrition, loss of weight, nervousness, failing appetite, lack of energy, and run-down condition.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Tonic alterative and nutritive. Valuable preparation in case of malnutrition, loss of weight, nervousness, failing appetite, lack of energy, and run-down condition.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920s-1930s
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.054
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.054

Prof. Field's Anti-Bilious Worm Powder

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
preparer
Bryon Field and Company
ID Number
1984.0782.061
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.061

Cuticura Medicated Liquid

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Helps relieve itching and irritation of insect bites, dandruff, cold sores, chafing, poison ivy, heat rash, acne pimples, athlete's foot, eczema, razor irritationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Helps relieve itching and irritation of insect bites, dandruff, cold sores, chafing, poison ivy, heat rash, acne pimples, athlete's foot, eczema, razor irritation
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1963
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Purex Corporation
ID Number
1985.0460.027
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.027

Bovinine (Plain)

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Prescribed to supplement the diet in convalescence, undernourishment, and other conditions where the nutritive properties of beef blood are indicated.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Prescribed to supplement the diet in convalescence, undernourishment, and other conditions where the nutritive properties of beef blood are indicated.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1930
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Bovinine Company
ID Number
1984.0351.149
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.149

Wakefield's Golden Ointment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:An excellent remedy for old sores, burns, scalds, bruises, cuts, sore nipples, sore breasts, salt rheum, chapped hands, sore throat, piles, felons, etc.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
An excellent remedy for old sores, burns, scalds, bruises, cuts, sore nipples, sore breasts, salt rheum, chapped hands, sore throat, piles, felons, etc. Relieves nearly every kind of a sore containing either inflammation or a soft or flabby condition of the skin.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908-1918
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Dr. C. Wakefield and Company
ID Number
1985.0460.109
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.109

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

Zymole Trokeys

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the temporary relief of minor throat irritations such as coughs, hoarseness and dryness due to colds. Masks disagreeable mouth odors.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the temporary relief of minor throat irritations such as coughs, hoarseness and dryness due to colds. Masks disagreeable mouth odors.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1945
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Consolidated Royal Chemical Corporation
ID Number
1984.0351.082
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.082

DeWitt's Compound Iron Tonic Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Increases the reserve stock of iron and tends to improve nutrition. Stomachic tonic, improving the appetite and digestion in vervous dyspepsiaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Increases the reserve stock of iron and tends to improve nutrition. Stomachic tonic, improving the appetite and digestion in vervous dyspepsia
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1940
Associated Name
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1985.0460.030
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.030

A-C Troches

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For simple coughs due to throat irritations caused by colds, excessive use of voice or smoking. Also to prevent gagging before the introduction of tongue depressors or dentures.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For simple coughs due to throat irritations caused by colds, excessive use of voice or smoking. Also to prevent gagging before the introduction of tongue depressors or dentures.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1940
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Abbott Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.122
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.122

A-6-S Formula

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Recommended for the temporary relief of nasal congestionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Recommended for the temporary relief of nasal congestion
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Commonwealth Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.050
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.050

Double O Medicine

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:GonorrheaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Gonorrhea
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Red Star Laboratories
ID Number
1985.0460.192
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.192

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

Dr. Clifton's Brazolian Oil

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A liniment. It has a warming influence when applied to the surface of the body for superficial aches and pains.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A liniment. It has a warming influence when applied to the surface of the body for superficial aches and pains.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1950
maker
Clifton Drug Co.
ID Number
1989.0711.13
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.13

K. & M. Effervescent Bromo Caffeine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1920 before 1938
maker
Keasbey & Mattison Company
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81570J01

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