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.

Search term: *:* Set Name: Balm of America Museum / Unit: NMAH Museum / Unit: NMAH-AF Museum / Unit: NMAHLC YT Museum / Unit: NMAH BL Museum / Unit: NMAH YT Museum / Unit: ACAH Place: Connecticut Clear All

BiSoDoL Mints

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Antacid Alkalizer. Effective in relieving acid-indigention, gas, heartburn, sourness, and nausea.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Antacid Alkalizer. Effective in relieving acid-indigention, gas, heartburn, sourness, and nausea.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
post 1938
1938-1955
maker
BiSoDol Company
ID Number
2008.0018.007
catalog number
2008.0018.007
accession number
2008.0018

Liquid Petrolatum

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
prior to 1967
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1988.3089.054
catalog number
1988.3089.054
nonaccession number
1988.3089

Tablet Gas Eliminant - Tracy

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2012.0165.806
catalog number
2012.0165.806
accession number
2012.0165

Vicks Sinex Long-Lasting Decongestant Nasal Spray, 1 Fl. Oz.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1998.0252.041
accession number
1998.0252
catalog number
1998.0252.041

Aspirin Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1935
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1984.0351.196B
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.196B

Compound Syrup of Buckthorn and Sarsaparilla

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Blood purifier. For pimples, blotches, &c. Being vegetable, it can be taken safely at any season. It has no equal as a general tonic and appetizer.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Blood purifier. For pimples, blotches, &c. Being vegetable, it can be taken safely at any season. It has no equal as a general tonic and appetizer.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
ID Number
1979.0798.130
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.130

Nyquil Nighttime Colds Medicine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1998.0252.059
accession number
1998.0252
catalog number
1998.0252.059

Pond's Extract (of Hamamelis)

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Muscular lameness and soreness associated with exposure, exercise or exertion. Muscular aches and pains from exposure. Minor burns and minor sunburns. Bruises. Sprains and strains.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Muscular lameness and soreness associated with exposure, exercise or exertion. Muscular aches and pains from exposure. Minor burns and minor sunburns. Bruises. Sprains and strains. Aid for minor nose bleed. Nipples irritated from nursing. Prickly heat, chafing and chapping. As a gargle. For minor irritations of the skin. For conditions produced by hives, poison ivy, or in case of bites or stings of poisonous insects.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Pond's Extract Company
ID Number
2008.0018.279
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.279

Milk of Magnesia

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1885
maker
Chas. H. Phillips Chemical Company
ID Number
2008.3006.135
nonaccession number
2008.3006
catalog number
2008.3006.135

Pinotol

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1985.0481.097
catalog number
1985.0481.097
accession number
1985.0481

Holloway Ointment Pot

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1982.0353.02
accession number
1982.0353
catalog number
1982.0353.02

Poor Man's Friend

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1982.0353.01
accession number
1982.0353
catalog number
1982.0353.01

Dr. Kilmer's Swamp-Root

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Kilmer & Co., Inc.
ID Number
2008.0018.229
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.229

C.G. Griswold's Family Salve, or Plaster

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For corns, callouses, warts, hangnails, insect bites and general use. Promotes healing if skin condition is of external origin.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For corns, callouses, warts, hangnails, insect bites and general use. Promotes healing if skin condition is of external origin.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Griswold Salve Corporation
ID Number
MG.314016.012
catalog number
314016.012
accession number
314016

Cala Cream

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For Poison Oak and Poison IvyCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For Poison Oak and Poison Ivy
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1967
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1988.3089.018
catalog number
1988.3089.018
nonaccession number
1988.3089

McKesson's Pinotol, 4 fl. oz.

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A Fragrant Pine Oil Disinfectant and Household DeodorantCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A Fragrant Pine Oil Disinfectant and Household Deodorant
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1917
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1988.3089.070
catalog number
1988.3089.070
nonaccession number
1988.3089

Sinex, Long-Acting Decongestant Nasal Spray, 1 Fl. Oz.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1998.0252.036
accession number
1998.0252
catalog number
1998.0252.036

Calox Antiseptic

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for general useCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for general use
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1988.3089.020
catalog number
1988.3089.020
nonaccession number
1988.3089

McKesson's Cod Liver Oil U.S.P.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1935
ID Number
1985.0475.932
catalog number
1985.0475.932
accession number
1985.0475

Nuxated Iron

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Dae Health Laboratories, Inc.
ID Number
MG.314016.092
catalog number
314016.092
accession number
314016

Vicks Formula 44 D Decongestant Cough Mixture

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1998.0252.014
catalog number
1998.0252.014
accession number
1998.0252

Kickapoo Indian Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Kickapoo Indian Medicine Company
ID Number
ZZ.RSN80516Q01

Axon Throat Spray

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For temporary relief of minor sore throat due to colds - smoking.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For temporary relief of minor sore throat due to colds - smoking.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938, before 1979
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1985.0475.359
catalog number
1985.0475.359
accession number
1985.0475

Clarke's Miraculous Salve Ointment Pot

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1982.0353.03
accession number
1982.0353
catalog number
1982.0353.03

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