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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More Information
Learn more about patent medicine history and how this history is revealed in examples from our collection. Questions or comments? Contact us.

Date: 1930s

Ferro China De Angelis Calisaya Bark and Iron Tonic

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Best cure for anemia, paleness, malaria, stomach diseases, loss of appetite and general debility.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Best cure for anemia, paleness, malaria, stomach diseases, loss of appetite and general debility. The continued use will strengthen the organism, and prevent many diseases.
[cited in: FDA Notice of Judgment No. 24672. "Adulteration and misbranding of Ferro China De Angelis ..." 24672. April 1936]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1934
maker
Chemical Industrial Company
ID Number
1984.0782.006
catalog number
1984.0782.006
accession number
1984.0782

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

Dr. Porter's Antiseptic Healing Oil, For Man and Beast

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: scratches, cracked heel, halter burns, old sores, collar and saddle galls, barbed wire cuts and dog mangeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: scratches, cracked heel, halter burns, old sores, collar and saddle galls, barbed wire cuts and dog mange
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900 - 1950
before 1934
1894 - 1934
maker
Paris Medicine Company
ID Number
1984.0782.161
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.161

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

Sucrets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1932
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
1994.0233.03
catalog number
1994.0233.03
accession number
1994.0233

Tuttle's Family Elexer

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For external use only; relief from painCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For external use only; relief from pain
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1872
date made
ca 1938
after 1938
maker
Tuttle's Elixir Company
ID Number
1984.0782.201
catalog number
1984.0782.201
accession number
1984.0782

Mendenhall's Malaria Chill and Fever Tonic

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For malaria chills and feverCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For malaria chills and fever
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
maker
Myers Laboratories
ID Number
2008.0018.190
catalog number
2008.0018.190
accession number
2008.0018

Tuttle's Elixir

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1938
maker
Tuttle's Elixir Company
ID Number
2008.0018.217
catalog number
2008.0018.217
accession number
2008.0018

Carter's Little Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For headache, dizziness, bad breath due to constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For headache, dizziness, bad breath due to constipation
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908 - 1938
post-1937
after 1937
maker
Carter Products Company
ID Number
2008.0018.013
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.013

ENO Fruit Salt

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
ID Number
2008.0018.206
catalog number
2008.0018.0206
accession number
2008.0018

Indian Chief Liver Tonic

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Relieves indigestion, sour stomach, belching, gas on the stomach, heart burn, foul breath, bad taste in the mouth, furred tongue, biliousness, constipation, dizziness, sick headache, numbness or chills,
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Relieves indigestion, sour stomach, belching, gas on the stomach, heart burn, foul breath, bad taste in the mouth, furred tongue, biliousness, constipation, dizziness, sick headache, numbness or chills, loss of appetite, weakness, tired feeling, feverishness and dyspepsia
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1939
maker
Corner Drug Store
ID Number
2008.0018.198
catalog number
2008.0018.198
accession number
2008.0018

Karnak Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A remedy for constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A remedy for constipation
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1925
ca 1930
maker
Karnak Incorporated
ID Number
2008.0018.070
catalog number
2008.0018.070
accession number
2008.0018

Betalax

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An alkaline laxative combined with intestinal antiseptics and digestives.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An alkaline laxative combined with intestinal antiseptics and digestives. Effectively employed in the treatment of constipation, auto-intoxication, intestinal fermentation, indigestion, hyperacidity, flatulence, palpitation, gastritis and cystitis
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1931
maker
A. M. Hooper and Company
ID Number
2012.0165.016
catalog number
2012.0165.016
accession number
2012.0165

Vapo-Cresolene

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Cresolene is a product of coal tar having a germicidal strength greater than carbolic acid.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Cresolene is a product of coal tar having a germicidal strength greater than carbolic acid. Not to be taken internally.
1/4 teaspoonfuls of Cresolene to a pint of water makes an effective antiseptic for use about the body as in the washing of minor cuts, bruises, etc. ... For general disinfecting purposes about the household use three (3) teaspoonfuls to a pint of water.
By the Rideal-Walker (or Hygienic Laboratory) test Vapo-Cresolene has a germicidal strength twice as great as carbolic acid against B. typhosus.
A soothing, sedative, analgesic, vapor inhalant, as applied to the nasal and bronchial membranes. Indicated in nasal and head colds, acute congestions of the nasal mucous membrane, minor bronchial irritations, chest colds and coughs due to colds. Also indicated in all conditions in which a soothing and sedative inhalation is indicated.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Vapo-Cresolene Company
ID Number
2008.0018.301
catalog number
2008.0018.301
accession number
2008.0018

Dr. Herrick's Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A reliable family purgative. Recommended for biliousness, indigestion, constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A reliable family purgative. Recommended for biliousness, indigestion, constipation
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920 - 1938
maker
Dr. Herrick's Family Medicine Company
ID Number
2009.0097.07
accession number
2009.0097
catalog number
2009.0097.07

ADS Little Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For torpid liver, constipation, biliousness, sick headache.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For torpid liver, constipation, biliousness, sick headache.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1938
1905 - 1938
1905-1938
maker
American Druggists Syndicate
ID Number
2008.0018.003
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.003

Hall of Waters, Excelsior Springs, Missouri

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1937
maker
Mineral Water System. City of Excelsior Springs, Missouri
ID Number
2012.0165.018
catalog number
2012.0165.018
accession number
2012.0165

Coal Roller Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
maker
Myers Laboratories
ID Number
2008.0018.181
catalog number
2008.0018.181
accession number
2008.0018

Dr. Drake's for Coughs

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
maker
Glessner Company
ID Number
2008.0018.227
catalog number
2008.0018.227
accession number
2008.0018

Baume Begune

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the relief on pain in rheumatism colds neuralgia.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the relief on pain in rheumatism colds neuralgia.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1931
maker
Bengue, Inc.
ID Number
2008.0018.111
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.111

Turner's Inflammacine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Mathol-Inflammacine Company, Inc.
ID Number
2008.0018.166
catalog number
2008.0018.166
accession number
2008.0018

Chief Two Moon Bitter Oil

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: LaxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Laxative
Location
Currently not on view
date made
on or after 1939
maker
Chief Two Moon Herb Co.
ID Number
2008.0018.197
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.197

Himrod's Powder

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the temporary relief of the paroxysms of bronchial asthmaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the temporary relief of the paroxysms of bronchial asthma
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
maker
Cooper and Cooper, Inc.
ID Number
2012.0165.020
catalog number
2012.0165.020
accession number
2012.0165

Hunyadi Janos Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For biliousness, stomach disorders, liver complaints and constipation.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For biliousness, stomach disorders, liver complaints and constipation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919 - 1938
maker
Hunyadi Janos Corporation
ID Number
2009.0097.15
accession number
2009.0097
catalog number
2009.0097.15

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