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.

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

Carminzym

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-11207
catalog number
M-11207
accession number
259750

Nature's Remedy NR Tablets

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
after 1945
maker
Lewis-Howe Company
ID Number
2008.0018.081
catalog number
2008.0018.081
accession number
2008.0018

One Minute Cough Cure

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-10719.18
catalog number
M-10719
accession number
254860

Sociables

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Scott-Seaton Labs.
ID Number
1985.0475.555
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.555

Doctor Moussette's Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-10903.098
catalog number
M-10903.098
accession number
259201

Fo-Ti-Tieng Capsules (Hydrocotyle Asiatica Minor)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Kiehl's Inc.
ID Number
1981.0589.033
accession number
1981.0589
catalog number
1981.0589.033

Franck's Grains

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A laxative pillCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A laxative pill
Location
Currently not on view
maker
E. Fougera and Company
ID Number
2009.0097.14
accession number
2009.0097
catalog number
2009.0097.14

Tiger Balm

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.05
catalog number
M-06892.05
accession number
210760

Sajodin Brand of Calioben

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Winthrop Chemical Company
ID Number
1984.0782.183
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.183

Tar and White Pine Syrup, 3 Fl Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.077
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.077

Coldene

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.314016.080
catalog number
314016.80
accession number
314016

Chamberlain's Cough Remedy

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908-1918
maker
Chamberlain Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup98]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Tabloid Ferad and Arsenic

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Used to treat aneamic conditions.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Used to treat aneamic conditions.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1936
maker
Burroughs Wellcome Company
ID Number
2002.3059.26
catalog number
2002.3059.26
nonaccession number
2002.3059

Ridall, 2 1/8 Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.064
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.064

Faintex Smelling Salts

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
T. W. Crow and Sons
ID Number
1985.0475.427
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.427

Dolge Powder Formaldehyde No 0 Disinfecting Candle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1978.0883.087
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.087

Arthropan

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1981.0760.003
accession number
1981.0760
catalog number
1981.0760.003

Eugenol

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2012.0165.784
catalog number
2012.0165.784
accession number
2012.0165

Baume Bengue

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.0798.355
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.355

McKesson's Antacid Powder

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Globe Laboratories
ID Number
1985.0481.016
catalog number
1985.0481.016
accession number
1985.0481

Twenty Grand 5 Gram Aspirin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1983.0871.03
accession number
1983.0871
catalog number
1983.0871.03

Wakefield's Black Berry Balsam

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.3006.174
catalog number
2008.3006.174
nonaccession number
2008.3006

Cystogen

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.314016.059
catalog number
314016.059
accession number
314016

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