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.

Showing 1 to 24 of 4542 items — page 1 of 190

Pilulas De Vida Do Dr. Ross

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Laxative or PurgativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Laxative or Purgative
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1938
maker
Sydney Ross Company
ID Number
2001.0314.586
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.586

Zymole Trokey Juniors

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Zymole Trokey Juniors purify the breath- refresh the mouth and throat between smokes - and promptly relieve husky throats and coughs from smoking, colds or talkingCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Zymole Trokey Juniors purify the breath- refresh the mouth and throat between smokes - and promptly relieve husky throats and coughs from smoking, colds or talking
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1965
maker
Frederick Stearns & Co.
ID Number
2001.0314.550
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.550

Campho-Phenique Powder

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: As a dressing for minor lacerated, contused, and incised wounds. As a dressing after surgical operations.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: As a dressing for minor lacerated, contused, and incised wounds. As a dressing after surgical operations.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1910
maker
James F. Ballard, Inc.
ID Number
2001.0314.536
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.536

Pepsencia

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1955-1963
maker
Winthrop-Stearns, Inc.
ID Number
2001.0314.733
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.733

Cascarets Laxative Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Sterling Remedy Company
R. L. Watkins Company
ID Number
2001.0314.657
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.657

Mejoral

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Glenbrook Laboratories, Division of Sterling Drug Inc.
ID Number
2001.0314.715
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.715

Mucilose Compound

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1955-1963
maker
Winthrop-Stearns, Inc.
ID Number
2001.0314.728
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.728

Miligal

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the treatment of scabiesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the treatment of scabies
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1949
maker
Winthrop-Stearns, Inc.
ID Number
2001.0314.683
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.683

Creamalin tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1955
maker
Winthrop Laboratories
ID Number
2001.0314.726
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.726

Creamalin tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1940
maker
Winthrop Chemical Company
ID Number
2001.0314.723
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.723

Fletcher's Castoria for Children

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2001.0314.646
catalog number
2001.0314.646
accession number
2001.0314

Creamalin capsules

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1944
maker
Winthrop Chemical Company
ID Number
2001.0314.724
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.724

Dodson's Levertone

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Laxative Compound; Stimulates Bile Flow; Valuable in relief of Sour Stomach; Heartburn; Headache; and Biliousness due to ConstipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Laxative Compound; Stimulates Bile Flow; Valuable in relief of Sour Stomach; Heartburn; Headache; and Biliousness due to Constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1915
maker
Sterling Drug, Inc.
ID Number
2001.0314.578
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.578

WinGel Antacid Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the Relief of Gastric Hyperacidity (acid stomach, indigestion and general stomach discomfort due to excess acid.)Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the Relief of Gastric Hyperacidity (acid stomach, indigestion and general stomach discomfort due to excess acid.)
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1967
maker
Winthrop Laboratories
ID Number
2001.0314.581
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.581

Acidol-Pepsin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1957
maker
Winthrop Laboratories
ID Number
2001.0314.717
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.717

Pontocaine Ointment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the temporary relief of pain, burning and itching in hemorrhoids, skin burns and ulcers, sunburn and insect bitesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the temporary relief of pain, burning and itching in hemorrhoids, skin burns and ulcers, sunburn and insect bites
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1968
maker
Winthrop Laboratories
ID Number
2001.0314.695
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.695

Lavema Compound Disposable Enema Kit

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: EnemaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Enema
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1955
maker
Winthrop Laboratories
ID Number
2001.0314.587
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.587

Cascarets Laxative Tablets Chocolate Flavor

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Sterling Remedy Company
R. L. Watkins Company
ID Number
2001.0314.655
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.655

Fletcher's Castoria for Children

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A natural vegetable laxative specially made for children.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A natural vegetable laxative specially made for children.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1940
maker
Glenbrook Laboratories, Division of Sterling Drug Inc.
ID Number
2001.0314.642
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.642

OpH Eye Drops

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Winthrop Laboratories
ID Number
2001.0314.552
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.552

pHisoAc Cream

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: helps clear acne and related skin blemishesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: helps clear acne and related skin blemishes
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1970
maker
Winthrop Laboratories
ID Number
2001.0314.685
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.685

Mucilose Flakes

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1940
maker
Frederick Stearns & Co.
ID Number
2001.0314.731
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.731

Stridex Regular Strength Pads

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Cleans deep to remove oil and dirt; Treats and clears acne pimples; Prevents new acne pimples from formingCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Cleans deep to remove oil and dirt; Treats and clears acne pimples; Prevents new acne pimples from forming
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1989
maker
Glenbrook Laboratories, Division of Sterling Drug Inc.
ID Number
2001.0314.669
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.669

Cascarets Laxative Tablets Chocolate Flavor

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Sterling Remedy Company
R. L. Watkins Company
ID Number
2001.0314.654
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.654

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