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 Set Name: Beauty and Hygiene Products: Skin Clear All

Mentos Medicine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0481.341
catalog number
1985.0481.341
accession number
1985.0481

Zemo Antiseptic Lotion For Skin & Scalp

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
E.W. Rose Co.
ID Number
MG.M-10446.02
catalog number
M-10446
accession number
251551

Clearasil Adult Care Acne Medication Cream

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
distributor
Procter & Gamble Company
maker
Procter & Gamble Company
ID Number
1998.0102.24
catalog number
1998.0102.24
accession number
1998.0102

Ambi 10 Acne Medication Maximum Strength

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1998.0102.23
catalog number
1998.0102.23
accession number
1998.0102

Johnson's Clean & Clear Maximum Strength Persa-Gel

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1995-1997
copyright date (packaging)
1995
product expiration date
1998-12
distributor
Johnson and Johnson
ID Number
1998.0102.12
catalog number
1998.0102.12
accession number
1998.0102

Lipmagik

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Reese Chemical Company
ID Number
1985.0475.461
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.461

Zam-Buk, Sample

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:The renowned skin remedy. Excellent for cuts, burns, bruises, scalds, infected wounds, eczema, pimples, athlete's foot, ulcers, piles, etc.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
The renowned skin remedy. Excellent for cuts, burns, bruises, scalds, infected wounds, eczema, pimples, athlete's foot, ulcers, piles, etc. Especially recommended for the relief of sore, tire, aching feet & swollen ankles.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
C. E. Fulford, Ltd.
ID Number
2008.0018.172
catalog number
2008.0018.172
accession number
2008.0018

Madame Dean's Complexion Wafers

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1907
maker
United Medical Company
ID Number
MG.254865.31
accession number
254865
catalog number
254865.31

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
ca 1988-1989
maker
Glenbrook Laboratories, Division of Sterling Drug Inc.
ID Number
2004.0129.67
accession number
2004.0129
catalog number
2004.0129.67

Lipmagik

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Reese Chemical Company
ID Number
1985.0475.462
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.462

RFT Lotion Medicated Acne Preparation

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Norex Laboratories
ID Number
1985.0475.530
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.530

Clearasil Maximum Strength Vanishing Creme

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1997
distributor
Procter & Gamble Company
ID Number
1998.0102.11
catalog number
1998.0102.11
accession number
1998.0102

Tanac

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Commerce Drug Company
ID Number
1985.0475.572
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.572

Cuticura Ointment

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the skin and scalp. A super creamy emollient. Sanative, soothing, healing.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the skin and scalp. A super creamy emollient. Sanative, soothing, healing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
Potter Drug and Chemical Corporation
ID Number
MG.293320.1209
catalog number
293320.1209
accession number
293320

Brooks' Bears-Foot Ointment

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For piles, sores, itch, tetter, eczema, chronic sore legs, dandruff and other scalp diseases, mange in dogs, sore backs and sore shoulders in horsesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For piles, sores, itch, tetter, eczema, chronic sore legs, dandruff and other scalp diseases, mange in dogs, sore backs and sore shoulders in horses
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
William Brooks Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10409.03
catalog number
M-10409
accession number
246707

Tobene Unguentum

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For various types externally caused eczemaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For various types externally caused eczema
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1942
maker
N.C. Goodwin's Lab
ID Number
1985.0481.122
catalog number
1985.0481.122
accession number
1985.0481

Rexall Gypsy Cream

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Helps relieve discomfort of sunburn and superficial skin irritationsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Helps relieve discomfort of sunburn and superficial skin irritations
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Rexall Drug Company
ID Number
1985.0481.069
catalog number
1985.0481.069
accession number
1985.0481

Dr. James P. Campbell's Safe Arsenic Complexion Wafers

Blue and white paper wrapped box. Box is sealed. Box contains 120 wafers (tablets); price one dollar. Dr. Campbell's signature (James P. Campbell, M.D.) serves as trademark. mark on side of box: GUARANTEED ABSOLUTELY SAFE AND / HARMLESS TO ANYBODY. / N. Y. C. R. No. 21. [ "N. Y.
Description
Blue and white paper wrapped box. Box is sealed. Box contains 120 wafers (tablets); price one dollar. Dr. Campbell's signature (James P. Campbell, M.D.) serves as trademark. mark on side of box: GUARANTEED ABSOLUTELY SAFE AND / HARMLESS TO ANYBODY. / N. Y. C. R. No. 21. [ "N. Y. C. R. No. 21" refers to the New York City Department of Health regulations for the registration of Proprietary Medicines as amended Dec. 21, 1915.]
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Freckles, moth, black-heads, pimples, vulgar redness, rough, yellow or "muddy" skins and other facial disfigurements are permanently removed and a deliciously clear complexion and "rounding up" of angular forms insured. Also an absolute specific in dyspepsia, habitual constipation, malaria, neuralgia, rheumatism, loss of appetite, lack luster eyes, low spirits, want of vitality, mal-assimilation of food, headache, hay fever, etc. [1887]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1916 to 1928
ca 1916 to 1928
maker
Campbell, James P.
ID Number
2008.0062.04
accession number
2008.0062
catalog number
2008.0062.04

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.