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.

Topic: Catarrh, Cough & Cold Drugs

Dr. Leo's Breathene

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For catarrh and cold in the head; asthma, catarrh, bronchitis, hay fever, shortness of breath, and all diseases of the throat and lungsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For catarrh and cold in the head; asthma, catarrh, bronchitis, hay fever, shortness of breath, and all diseases of the throat and lungs
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Leo Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10410.02
catalog number
M-10410.02
accession number
246707

Creo-Pinus

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Treatment of Throat and Lung Disease; recent and chronic coughs; colds; croup; whooping cough; catarrhal bronchitis; bronchial asthma; incipient pulmonary afflictionsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Treatment of Throat and Lung Disease; recent and chronic coughs; colds; croup; whooping cough; catarrhal bronchitis; bronchial asthma; incipient pulmonary afflictions
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Creo-Pinus Company
ID Number
MG.274347.189
catalog number
274347.189
accession number
274347

Reid's Cough and Kidney Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For croup, colds, bronchitis, hoarseness, whooping cough, asthma, and kidney disease.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For croup, colds, bronchitis, hoarseness, whooping cough, asthma, and kidney disease. This remedy is guaranteed to relieve the worst cases of kidney complaint, that arise from a cold.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Reid
Sylvan Remedy Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1602.2
accession number
293320
293320
catalog number
293320.1602.2

Hite's Household Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Used internally to allay irritations caused by coughs, due to the common colds, and for mild form of flatulent colic.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Used internally to allay irritations caused by coughs, due to the common colds, and for mild form of flatulent colic. Used externally for surface burns and cuts, simple bruises and non-poisonous insect bites and stings. Also for slight sprains and muscular aches and soreness due to fatigue and over-exertion.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
ca 1920
ca 1930
maker
S. P. Hite Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.30
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Dill's Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: throat and lung troubles, coughs, colds, asthma, bronchitis, catarrhCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: throat and lung troubles, coughs, colds, asthma, bronchitis, catarrh
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-aprox. 1918
maker
Dill Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.314016.072
catalog number
314016.72
accession number
314016

Seabury's Cough Balsam

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For coughs, colds, influenza, croup, whooping cough, asthma, other affections of the lungs and throat leading to consumptionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For coughs, colds, influenza, croup, whooping cough, asthma, other affections of the lungs and throat leading to consumption
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1870
date made
ca 1898
maker
J. S. Seabury
ID Number
MG.293320.1369
catalog number
293320.1369
accession number
293320

Kemp's Balsam

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Cures coughs, colds, bronchitis, cattarh, asthma, influenza and all throat and lung diseases.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Cures coughs, colds, bronchitis, cattarh, asthma, influenza and all throat and lung diseases. Affords immediate relief in the severest cases of whooping cough, croup and all throat disorders.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1883
ID Number
MG.293320.1218
catalog number
293320.1218
accession number
293320

Dr Walker's Vinegar Bitters

Blood Purifier and General Remedy for boils and ulcers, sore eyes, dropsy, scald head, paralysis, erysipelas, scrofula, tetter, skin diseases, bilious, remittent and intermittent fevers, pains in the back, shoulders, heart and chest, liver and kidney troubles, stomach ache, jaund
Description
Blood Purifier and General Remedy for boils and ulcers, sore eyes, dropsy, scald head, paralysis, erysipelas, scrofula, tetter, skin diseases, bilious, remittent and intermittent fevers, pains in the back, shoulders, heart and chest, liver and kidney troubles, stomach ache, jaundice, gout and fits, dizziness, colds and coughs, croup, palpitation of the heart, lead colic, nausea, biliousness, dysentery and piles, dyspepsia, indigestion, rheumatism, diarrhoea, consumption, catarrh, bronchitis, neuralgia, headache, tape, pin and other worms
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1906 (trademarked in 1866, 1868, 1872, 1885)
maker
R. H. McDonald Drug Company
ID Number
MG.274347.212
catalog number
274347.212
accession number
274347

King's Discovery

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungs.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungs.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
H.E. Bucklen and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1236
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1236

Dr Wood's Cough Syrup

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dr. Owens Pharmacy
ID Number
MG.M-10242.09
catalog number
M-10242.09
accession number
241520

King's Discovery

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungs.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For consumption, coughs, colds and all diseases of the throat, chest and lungs.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
H.E. Bucklen and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1235
catalog number
293320.1235
accession number
293320

Jeffries' No 1 Cough Mixture

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: coughs, colds, hoarsenss, throat and lung troubles, whooping cough, croup, catarrh, and asthmaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: coughs, colds, hoarsenss, throat and lung troubles, whooping cough, croup, catarrh, and asthma
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Thomas Tabb Jeffries
ID Number
MG.M-10426.28
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Atwood's Jaundice Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Recommended for jaundice, headache, dyspepsia, worms, dizziness, loss of appetite, darting pains, colds and fevers. For cleansing the blood of humors and moistening the skin.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Recommended for jaundice, headache, dyspepsia, worms, dizziness, loss of appetite, darting pains, colds and fevers. For cleansing the blood of humors and moistening the skin. Also for liver complaints, strangury, dropsy, croup and phthisis.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Hall & Ruckel
ID Number
MG.293320.1173
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1173

Mrs. Dinsmore's Improved Balsamated Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs, minor throat irritations, simple bronchitis, hoarseness. For affections of throat and air passages due to cold.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs, minor throat irritations, simple bronchitis, hoarseness. For affections of throat and air passages due to cold.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1932-1938
maker
L. M. Brock and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup45]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1908
c. 1906 -1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup23]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Boschee's Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Assists in the relief of coughs, colds, whooping cough, croup, asthma, bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Assists in the relief of coughs, colds, whooping cough, croup, asthma, bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1918
maker
L. M. Green
G. G. Green, Inc.
ID Number
MG.293320.1187
catalog number
293320.1187
accession number
293320

Patch's Old Fashioned Ginger Tea Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For colds, chills, indigestion, etc.Currently 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 colds, chills, indigestion, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
E. L. Patch Company
ID Number
MG.M-10257.43
catalog number
M-10257.43
accession number
241521

Dr. A. Boschee's Syrup of Tar and Wild Cherry

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs due to colds, soothes throat, promotes expectorationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs due to colds, soothes throat, promotes expectoration
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
date made
after September 1926
maker
G. G. Green
L. M. Green
ID Number
MG.M-10426.40
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Rollian's Gold Seal Herb Medicine

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For constipation, sour stomach, ulcer-gas, coughs-colds, skin trouble, worms, kidney trouble, high blood, run down systemCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For constipation, sour stomach, ulcer-gas, coughs-colds, skin trouble, worms, kidney trouble, high blood, run down system
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
ID Number
MG.M-10426.32
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Allen's Lung Balsam

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For the cure of all affections of the lungs, throat and chest, such as consumption, colds, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, croup, whooping cough, pain or oppression of the chest, hoarseness, spitting of blood and a
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For the cure of all affections of the lungs, throat and chest, such as consumption, colds, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, croup, whooping cough, pain or oppression of the chest, hoarseness, spitting of blood and all pulmonary diseases
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1892-1906
maker
J. N. Harris and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10414.04
catalog number
M-10414
serial number
3399
accession number
246707

Oxidine

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Common malaria; chills; malarial fever (to be used as a general tonic); coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Common malaria; chills; malarial fever (to be used as a general tonic); colds
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
After 1906
maker
W. S. Kirby Company
ID Number
MG.274347.173
catalog number
274347.173
accession number
274347

Pe-Ru-Na Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, catarrhal dieseases and where a tonic is required.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs, colds, catarrhal dieseases and where a tonic is required.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
ID Number
MG.293320.1334
catalog number
293320.1334
accession number
293320

Dr. Birney's Catarrhal Powder

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Instant relief in Catarrh, Hay Fever, Tonsilitis, Quinsy, Sore Throat and Headache and Cold in the Head.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Instant relief in Catarrh, Hay Fever, Tonsilitis, Quinsy, Sore Throat and Headache and Cold in the Head.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1900
ca. 1862
maker
Birney Catarrhal Powder Co
ID Number
MG.M-10410.13
catalog number
M-10410
accession number
246707

Z. C. Alden's Catarrh Cure

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Catarrh, cold in the head, headache.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Catarrh, cold in the head, headache.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1872-1883
c. 1872-1883
maker
Z. C. Alden
ID Number
MG.M-12151.25B
catalog number
M-12151.25B
accession number
271464

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