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.

Topic: Health & Medicine

Dr. D. Jayne's Sanative Pills for Liver Complaints

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For biliousness, liver complaint, sick headache, dyspepsia, indigestion, jaundice, and constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For biliousness, liver complaint, sick headache, dyspepsia, indigestion, jaundice, and constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
D. Jayne and Son
ID Number
MG.M-10413.34
catalog number
M-10413.34
accession number
246707

Hebe Pills

[No indications or uses for this product are provided on its packaging.]Currently not on view
Description
[No indications or uses for this product are provided on its packaging.]
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1880
maker
Juventas Depot
ID Number
MG.M-10413.23
catalog number
M-10413.23
accession number
246707

Akerue! French Liver and Kidney Regulator

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A liver and kidney regulator; blood purifier.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A liver and kidney regulator; blood purifier. For costiveness and constipation; all forms of liver and kidney complaints; Bright's Disease of the kidney; diabetes; catarrh of the bladder; gravel and stricture; malaria; sick, bilious or nervous headache; neuralgia; rheumatism; loss of sleep, appetite or energy; tired, weary feeling; melancholy; dry, hacking cough or not feeling well; more tired on rising in the morning than on retiring; irregularity of the bowels.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
Akerue Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.13
catalog number
M-10413
accession number
246707

Ex-Lax The Chocolate Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Recommended for constipation in all its forms for children and grown-upsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Recommended for constipation in all its forms for children and grown-ups
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1911
ID Number
MG.293320.1294
catalog number
293320.1294
accession number
293320

Herbitol (Goff's)

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For heartburn; gas belching; sour stomach; flatulence; laxative for constipation and inactive bowelsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For heartburn; gas belching; sour stomach; flatulence; laxative for constipation and inactive bowels
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
S. B. Goff and Sons Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.35
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

English Female Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Recommended in non-surgical cases for those weaknesses and disorders which have heretofore been known as female complaints.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Recommended in non-surgical cases for those weaknesses and disorders which have heretofore been known as female complaints. After 40 years this medicine is considered by us an excellent rememdy for female complaints. For Maid or Matron, it is specially recommended for young girls just entering womanhood, and for those at the "turn of life."
Dose: 1 tablespoonful 3 times a day, taken in water or water and sugar
The label on the side of the box reads: "For Maid and Matron: This is not a sweetened Stomach Bitters, recommended for any and everything that the flesh is heir to, but it is a Prescription formulated expressly for the relief of disease for which it is recommended."
date made
after 1906
maker
J. P. Dromgoole Company
ID Number
MG.274347.224
catalog number
274347.224
accession number
274347

NR Jrs, Nature's Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Acts on stomach, kidneys, liver and bowelsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Acts on stomach, kidneys, liver and bowels
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
A. H. Lewis Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1258
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1258

Aubergier's Pastilles of Lactucarium

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Recommended against colds, irritation of the throat, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Recommended against colds, irritation of the throat, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1915
maker
E. Fougera and Company
Comar and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1174
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1174

Peterson's Ointment (Free Sample)

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Cures eczema, bleeding and itching piles, and old sores, burns, sore nipples, salt rheum, tired and tender feet, corns, catarrh, chafingCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Cures eczema, bleeding and itching piles, and old sores, burns, sore nipples, salt rheum, tired and tender feet, corns, catarrh, chafing
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1925
maker
Peterson Brothers
ID Number
MG.293320.1336
catalog number
293320.1336
accession number
293320

Carlsbader Sprudel Salz (Carlsbad Sprudel-Salts)

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:In doses of one-half to one teaspoonful it is an excellent aperient, laxative, and diuretic. The Salt should be taken dissolved in a tumblerful of the Natural Carlsbad Water or in warm water.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
In doses of one-half to one teaspoonful it is an excellent aperient, laxative, and diuretic. The Salt should be taken dissolved in a tumblerful of the Natural Carlsbad Water or in warm water. For temporary and chronic constipation use one teaspoonful of the Salt dissolved in a tumblerful of warm Carlsbad Sprudel Water before breakfast. It will produce regular evacuations, easy and free of pain.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1925
maker
Carlsbad Products Company
ID Number
MG.M-10410.06
catalog number
M-10410
accession number
246707

Salfene

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For pain and fever. Antipyretic, anodyne, sedative, anti-neuralgia and anti-rheumatic.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For pain and fever. Antipyretic, anodyne, sedative, anti-neuralgia and anti-rheumatic.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1898
maker
Salfene Chemical Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1364
catalog number
293320.1364
accession number
293320

Alexander's Liver and Kidney Tonic

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Neuralgic or rheumatic pains in the back, side or limbs, sick headache, liver complaint, kidney affections, dyspepsia, jaundice, loss of appetite, debility, giddiness, nervous diseases, weakness, and com
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Neuralgic or rheumatic pains in the back, side or limbs, sick headache, liver complaint, kidney affections, dyspepsia, jaundice, loss of appetite, debility, giddiness, nervous diseases, weakness, and complaints peculiar to females, and all diseases arising from a disordered stomach or liver.
Cures bilious fevers, intermittent fevers, remittent fevers, fever and ague, prevents yellow and typhoid fevers, and all fevers arising from impure blood, or marsh-miasmatic influences.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1906
maker
W. W. Alexander and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10719.02
catalog number
M-10719
accession number
254860

Shaker Digestive Cordial

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For dyspepsia and all diseases arising from deranged digestionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For dyspepsia and all diseases arising from deranged digestion
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1890
maker
A. J. White, Limited
ID Number
MG.M-10426.44
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Kemp's Balsam

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Cures coughs, colds, bronchitis, catarrh, 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, catarrh, 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
maker
Orator F. Woodward
ID Number
MG.293320.1217
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1217

Emerson's Bromo-Seltzer

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Remedy for nervous headache, neuralgia, brain fatigue, sleeplessness, over-brain work, depression following alcoholic and other excesses, mental exhaustionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Remedy for nervous headache, neuralgia, brain fatigue, sleeplessness, over-brain work, depression following alcoholic and other excesses, mental exhaustion
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Emerson Drug Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1301
catalog number
293320.1301
accession number
293320

Rexall Rhinitis Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For colds, chills and influenzaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For colds, chills and influenza
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1913
maker
United Drug Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1358
catalog number
293320.1358
accession number
293320

Dr. J. R. Stafford Olive Tar Ointment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For burns and scaldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For burns and scalds
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Hall & Ruckel
ID Number
MG.293320.1379
catalog number
293320.1379
accession number
293320

Brown's Iron Bitters Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For indigestion, intermittent fevers, want of appetite, nervous prostration, fainting, lack of energy, malaria, heartburn, dyspeptic symptomsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For indigestion, intermittent fevers, want of appetite, nervous prostration, fainting, lack of energy, malaria, heartburn, dyspeptic symptoms
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
after 1908
maker
Brown's Iron Bitters Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.47
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Clinton's Cough Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For coughs, colds, croup, and all diseases leading to consumptionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For coughs, colds, croup, and all diseases leading to consumption
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Hallock-Denton Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1199
catalog number
293320.1199
accession number
293320

Ex-Lax The Chocolated Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Widely used with good results in cases of occasional constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Widely used with good results in cases of occasional constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
ID Number
MG.293320.1298
catalog number
293320.1298
accession number
293320

Pyramid Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For constipation, inactivity of the liver, eructations, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For constipation, inactivity of the liver, eructations, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Pyramid Drug Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.41
catalog number
M-10413
accession number
246707

Brandreth's Pills

[No indications or uses for this product are provided on its packaging.]Currently not on view
Description
[No indications or uses for this product are provided on its packaging.]
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1868
Associated Name
Brandreth Pill Works
maker
Brandreth Pill Works
Benjamin Brandreth
ID Number
MG.293320.1160
catalog number
293320.1160
accession number
293320

Kickapoo Oil

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For toothache, headache, sore throat, chilblains, frostbites, cuts, burns, sprains, bruises, neuralgia and rheumatic painsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For toothache, headache, sore throat, chilblains, frostbites, cuts, burns, sprains, bruises, neuralgia and rheumatic pains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1919
1919-1938
ID Number
MG.M-10426.15
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Knoxit Globules

[No indications or uses for this product are provided on its packaging.]Currently not on view
Description
[No indications or uses for this product are provided on its packaging.]
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Beggs Manufacturing Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.36
catalog number
M-10413
accession number
246707

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