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.

Brioschi

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Indicated as a pleasant, quick acting, effective antacid relieving upset stomach, hyperacidity, fullness, sour stomach, heartburn, and other forms of distress due to over-indulgence in food or drink.Cur
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Indicated as a pleasant, quick acting, effective antacid relieving upset stomach, hyperacidity, fullness, sour stomach, heartburn, and other forms of distress due to over-indulgence in food or drink.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1880
after 1907
maker
A. Brioschi and Company
ID Number
1979.1144.029
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.029

Tee-Lax

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.293320.1617
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1617

Father John's Medicine For Coughs due to Colds

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.3096.01
catalog number
1985.3096.01
nonaccession number
1985.3096

Duo-Aqua-Drin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0475.417
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.417
accession number
1985.0475

Hall's Catarrh Cure

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.314016.034
catalog number
314016.034
accession number
314016

Espa-Rub

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2002.0138.015
catalog number
2002.0138.015
accession number
2002.0138

Unguentine Plus, 1 Oz Avoir

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.082
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.082

Beekman Seidlitz Powders

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Schieffelin and Company
ID Number
1979.1144.149
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.149

Mrs. Winslow Soothing Syrup

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Anglo-American Drug Company
ID Number
2008.3006.158
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.158

St. Joseph Cold Tablets for Children

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Plough
ID Number
1985.0475.543
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.543

Foley Family Pills for Constipation

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.072
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.072

Bradford's Blood Purifying Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Unequaled for restoring to healthful condition the Liver and Digestive Organs by removing all Waste matter from the System, producing a clear and healthy complexion.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Unequaled for restoring to healthful condition the Liver and Digestive Organs by removing all Waste matter from the System, producing a clear and healthy complexion.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908 - 1918
1908-1918
maker
Bradford Medicine Company
ID Number
2008.0018.009
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.009

Hollister Rocky Mountain Tea

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Myers Laboratories
ID Number
2008.0018.188
catalog number
2008.0018.188
accession number
2008.0018

Goody's Headache Powders

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for the relief of pain due to simple headache, simple neuralgia, muscular aches and pains and headaches accompanying head cold.Directions: Place powder on tongue and follow with water or stir in small g
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for the relief of pain due to simple headache, simple neuralgia, muscular aches and pains and headaches accompanying head cold.
Directions: Place powder on tongue and follow with water or stir in small glass of water and swallow.
Dosage: One powder. May be repeated in 3 or 4 hours. Do not take more than three powders in any 24 hour period. Children under 12, only as directed by physician.
Caution: Do not take more than dosage recommended or take regularly for more than ten days without consulting your physician. When used in large amounts and for a long period of time it may be injurious to kidneys. Keep this and all medicine out of reach of children.
Location
Currently not on view
trademark registration date (Goody's "They Are Good")
1936-10-13
maker
Goody's
ID Number
2008.0018.059
catalog number
2008.0018.059
accession number
2008.0018

Ex-Lax The Chocolated Laxative, Free Sample

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Ex-Lax Manufacturing Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1296
catalog number
293320.1296
accession number
293320

Ranato

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2000.0137.026
accession number
2000.0137
catalog number
2000.0137.026

Mothersill's Seasick Remedy

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
1908-1918
maker
Mothersill Remedy Company, Ltd.
ID Number
MG.293320.3018
catalog number
293320.3018
accession number
293320

Seltzer Pepsin Peppermint Flavor Chewing Gum

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906-1908
maker
Baltimore Chewing Gum Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1393
catalog number
293320.1392
accession number
293320

Cow Brand Baking Soda

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.1144.099
catalog number
1979.1144.099
accession number
1979.1144

Health Mart Aspirin, 100 Tablets, 5 Grains Each

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
product expiration date
1990-03
maker
Health Mart
ID Number
1988.0687.02
accession number
1988.0687
catalog number
1988.0687.02

Williams' Anti-Pain Ointment

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-09903
catalog number
M-09903
accession number
238503

Bon-Opto

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Healing, soothing, cooling, non-irritating and cleansing for the eyesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Healing, soothing, cooling, non-irritating and cleansing for the eyes
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Valma's Drug Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1185
catalog number
293320.1185
accession number
293320

Seidlitz Powders

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.1144.108
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.108

Coricidin Tablets, 24 Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Schering Corp.
ID Number
1998.0252.026
catalog number
1998.0252.026
accession number
1998.0252

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