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.

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: United Kingdom Clear All

Liquorice & Menthol Pellets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Robert Gibson & Sons, Ltd.
ID Number
2008.0018.072
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.072

Altoids Carminative Lozenges

For the relief of discomfort after mealsCurrently not on view
Description
For the relief of discomfort after meals
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950ish
maker
Smith Kendon Ltd.
ID Number
1981.0219.080
accession number
1981.0219
catalog number
1981.0219.080

Cyphoids Menthol & Extract of Licorice Globules

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Stop tickling and huskiness in the throat, and for cold nights & mornings are warming to the throat & chest.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Stop tickling and huskiness in the throat, and for cold nights & mornings are warming to the throat & chest.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
Post 1920
maker
Smith & Company
ID Number
2008.0018.019
catalog number
2008.0018.019
accession number
2008.0018

Woodward's Gripe Water

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1988
ID Number
1989.0196.228
catalog number
1989.0196.228
accession number
1989.0196

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

DeWitt's Kidney & Bladder Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For backache and simple affections of the urinary channels.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For backache and simple affections of the urinary channels.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
2008.0018.023
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.023

Morison's Pills No. 2

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
Before 1915
ID Number
1981.0170.041
accession number
1981.0170
catalog number
1981.0170.041

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

Andrews Liver Salt

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Laxative and antacid; relieves sour stomach, heartburn, flatulenceCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Laxative and antacid; relieves sour stomach, heartburn, flatulence
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
Scott & Turner, Limited
ID Number
2008.0018.109
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.109

Dr. Scholl's Foot Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A soothing application for massaging the feet. Aids in relieving sensitive, tired feet, tenderness, burning sensation and muscular soreness caused by exertion and fatigue.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A soothing application for massaging the feet. Aids in relieving sensitive, tired feet, tenderness, burning sensation and muscular soreness caused by exertion and fatigue.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1960s
maker
Scholl Manufacturing Company
ID Number
2008.0018.260
catalog number
2008.0018.260
accession number
2008.0018

Butler's Dr. Bateman's Pectoral Drops

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-06991
catalog number
M-06991
accession number
215014

Eade's Antibilious Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Eade's
ID Number
1984.0782.056
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.056

Lemco-Liebig Company's Extract of Beef Prepared (Extractum Carnis Liebig)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Oxo Limited
distributor
Oxo United States of America
ID Number
1984.0782.114
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.114

Dr. Scholl's Foot Powder - Antiseptic and Deodorant

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Antispetic and deodorant for the feetCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Antispetic and deodorant for the feet
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Scholl Manufacturing Company
ID Number
2008.0018.261
catalog number
2008.0018.261
accession number
2008.0018

Yellow Basilicon

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
ID Number
MG.239197.14
accession number
239197
catalog number
239197.14

Doctor Stedman's Teething Powders

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: used for teethingCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: used for teething
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Mr. Stedman
ID Number
MG.313462.084
catalog number
313462.084
accession number
313462

Doctor Stedman's Teething Powders

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: used for teethingCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: used for teething
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Mr. Stedman
ID Number
MG.313462.083
catalog number
313462.083
accession number
313462

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

Beecham's Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908 - 1924
1908-1924
maker
Beecham's Pills
ID Number
2008.0018.006
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.006

Holloway's Pills

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1850
maker
Holloway's
ID Number
1984.0782.085
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.085

Mother Seigel's Curative Syrup for Dyspepsia

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:DyspepsiaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Dyspepsia
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
Associated Name
A. J. White, Limited
maker
A. J. White, Limited
ID Number
MG.M-10426.56
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Pond's Extract Catarrh Cure

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For catarrhCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For catarrh
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
maker
Pond's Extract Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.46
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Lazy Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For stomach, liver, and kidney troubles; constipation; indigestion; all headaches; dizziness; biliousness; the complexion; coated tongue; bad breath; liquor and tobacco excessesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For stomach, liver, and kidney troubles; constipation; indigestion; all headaches; dizziness; biliousness; the complexion; coated tongue; bad breath; liquor and tobacco excesses
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Lazy Liver Pill Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.30
catalog number
M-10413
accession number
246707

Beecham'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 1859
maker
Beecham's Pills
ID Number
MG.293320.1183
catalog number
293320.1183
accession number
293320

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.