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.

Date: 1930s

Breethem For the Breath

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Temporary breath neutralizer. Aids in relieving minor irritations of the throat and hoarseness due to colds; allays tickling sensation and helps lessen coughing due to colds.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Temporary breath neutralizer. Aids in relieving minor irritations of the throat and hoarseness due to colds; allays tickling sensation and helps lessen coughing due to colds.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1931 - 1938
1931-1938
maker
Breethem Company
ID Number
2008.0018.010
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.010

Woodward's Celebrated Gripe Water

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
ID Number
2008.0018.220
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.220

Rich's Crystalized Canton Ginger

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For aiding digestionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:
For aiding digestion
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
E. C. Rich
ID Number
2008.0062.07
accession number
2008.0062
catalog number
2008.0062.07

Doan's Regulets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Intended for biliousness, headache and dizziness when due to simple constipation.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Intended for biliousness, headache and dizziness when due to simple constipation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
maker
Foster-Milburn Company
ID Number
2008.0018.027
catalog number
2008.0018.027
accession number
2008.0018

Gargling Oil Liniment, Man or Beast

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:America's oldest, time tried liniment.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
America's oldest, time tried liniment. Recommended by us in the treatment of galls, sprains, callous, wind galls, scratches, mange, flesh wounds, muscular soreness, kicks, cuts, foot rot in sheep, wind puffs.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1933
maker
Merchant's Gargling Oil Co.
ID Number
1989.0711.18
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.18

Gas-Seltzer

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Elimination gas, heartburn, chronic indigestion, indigestion, sour stomach, sick headacheCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Elimination gas, heartburn, chronic indigestion, indigestion, sour stomach, sick headache
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1938
maker
Eastern Chemical Company
ID Number
1984.0782.065
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.065

En-ar-co

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Liniment for general use and scalp application; antiseptic, kills ticksCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Liniment for general use and scalp application; antiseptic, kills ticks
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
distributor
National Remedy Company
ID Number
1985.0460.042
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.042

Saraka

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
ca 1932
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Schering Corporation
ID Number
1984.0351.019
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.019

Chamberlain's Massage Liniment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An excellent massage for simple neuralgia, sprains and resulting swellings and soreness of the muscles, caused by violent exercise or fatigue, bites and stings, frostbites.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An excellent massage for simple neuralgia, sprains and resulting swellings and soreness of the muscles, caused by violent exercise or fatigue, bites and stings, frostbites. A favorite liniment for athletes.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
ca 1930s
Associated Name
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
1985.0460.020
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.020

Foley Cathartic Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:An excellent medicine for billiousness caused by constipation. A wholesome and thoroughly cleansing cathartic for the relief of constipation and its ill-effects.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
An excellent medicine for billiousness caused by constipation. A wholesome and thoroughly cleansing cathartic for the relief of constipation and its ill-effects.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930s
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
distributor
Foley and Company
ID Number
1985.0460.046
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.046

Foley Cathartic Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A Pleasantly Active Cathartic Foley Cathartic Tablets are excellent in cases of temporary constipation as they have a laxative influence upon the entire intestinal tract.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A Pleasantly Active Cathartic Foley Cathartic Tablets are excellent in cases of temporary constipation as they have a laxative influence upon the entire intestinal tract. A good medicine for constipation caused by over eating or an unbalanced diet.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1938
date made
after 1938
maker
Foley
Foley and Company
ID Number
1978.0883.061
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.061

K. & M. Effervescent Bromo Caffeine

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: This delightful effervescent salt is an almost certain remedy for the relief of the nervous headaches resulting from overtaxed mental energy or excitement, acute attacks of indigestion, the depression f
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: This delightful effervescent salt is an almost certain remedy for the relief of the nervous headaches resulting from overtaxed mental energy or excitement, acute attacks of indigestion, the depression following alcoholic excesses, the supra-sensitiveness of chloral, morphia and opium habitues, and with ladies the headache and backache of neurasthenia, hysteria, dysmenorrhea, and kindred disorders. A great boon and prompt source of relief in almost all cases of headache and distress attending mental fatigue and physical exhaustion, it commends itself especially to Physicians, Teachers, Clergymen, Lawyers, Merchants, and others following professions or pursuits requiring nerve energy or subjecting to mental strain.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1920 before 1938
maker
Keasbey & Mattison Company
ID Number
1978.0883.011.I
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.011.I

Caroid and Soda Bicarb.

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: nvaluable for Indigestion and Dyspepsia especially where there is excessive secretion of acid in the stomach causing "Heart Burn" Eructations, Etc. Etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: nvaluable for Indigestion and Dyspepsia especially where there is excessive secretion of acid in the stomach causing "Heart Burn" Eructations, Etc. Etc.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1930
maker
American Ferment Co., Inc.
ID Number
1978.0235.056
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.056

Oxidine Tonic Appetizer

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Common malaria, chills, malarial fever, colds, a mild laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Common malaria, chills, malarial fever, colds, a mild laxative
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1938
maker
W. S. Kirby Company
ID Number
1978.0235.048
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.48

Lydia E. Pinkham's Pills for Constipation

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For producing bowel movements. Tiny vegetable laxative pills that are easy to swallow.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For producing bowel movements. Tiny vegetable laxative pills that are easy to swallow. Adults: Some persons may need stronger laxatives than others and according to such needs one to three pills should be taken at bedtime, as indicated for occasional constipation. Not for use by children. Caution: not to be used when abdominal pain (stomach ache, cramps, colic) nausea, vomiting (stomach sickness) or other symptoms of appendicitis are present. Frequent or continued use of this preparation may result in dependence on laxatives.
date made
ca 1930
maker
Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company
ID Number
1978.0883.198
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.198

Caroid and Soda Bircarb Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Invaluable for Indigestion and Dyspepsia especially where there is excessive secretion of acid in the stomach causing "Heart Burn" Eructations, Etc. Etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Invaluable for Indigestion and Dyspepsia especially where there is excessive secretion of acid in the stomach causing "Heart Burn" Eructations, Etc. Etc.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1930
maker
American Ferment Co., Inc.
ID Number
1978.0235.066
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.066

Caroid (Plain)

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Removes indigestion, pain and flatulence, heartburn, and nausea/ Aboslutely harmless.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Removes indigestion, pain and flatulence, heartburn, and nausea/ Aboslutely harmless.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1930
maker
American Ferment Co., Inc.
ID Number
1978.0235.057
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.057

Santal Midy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For irritations of the bladder and urinary passagesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For irritations of the bladder and urinary passages
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1935
maker
Establissements Rigaud, Inc.
ID Number
1978.0235.168
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.168

Elixir Alterans (Hale)

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Indicated whenever a general tonic is of serviceCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Indicated whenever a general tonic is of service
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1906 - 1936
maker
J.V. Hale Company
ID Number
1978.0235.126
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.126

B B B Purgative Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: B.B.B.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: B.B.B. purgative Pills are prepared expressly to effect this result and for keeping the bowels in a natural condition, thus cleansing the system of impurities and relieving Constipation, Jaundice, minor disorders of the stomach and many skin diseases.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1938
maker
Blood Balm Company
ID Number
1978.0883.071
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.071

Vicks Nose and Throat Drops

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Nose and throat irritation, head colds, nasal catarrh, chest colds and coughs due to coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Nose and throat irritation, head colds, nasal catarrh, chest colds and coughs due to colds
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
Vick Chemical Company
ID Number
1979.0798.116
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.116

Carter's Little Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A laxative aiding bile flowCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A laxative aiding bile flow
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
date made
after 1938
maker
Carter Products Company
ID Number
1979.0798.331
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.331

Musterole

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A counter-irritant.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A counter-irritant. For colds in the chest, congestion, coughs due to colds, simple headaches, muscular lumbago, sore muscles, simple neuralgia, frosted feet and unbroken chilblains.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1926-1930
maker
Musterole Company
ID Number
1979.0798.135
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.135

Dr. Schenck's Mandrake Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Blue cardboard box with gold print. White manufacturer seal with green print and images of two men. Seal unbroken.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Blue cardboard box with gold print. White manufacturer seal with green print and images of two men. Seal unbroken.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1938
maker
Dr. J. H. Schenck & Son
ID Number
1980.0678.36
catalog number
1980.0678.36
accession number
1980.0678

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