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: Beauty and Hygiene Products: Feet 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

Allen's Foot-Ease

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.1144.093
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.093

Kohler One Night Corn Kit

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To remove corns in one nightCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To remove corns in one night
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Kohler Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1978.0235.081
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.081

Pedimycin, Non-aerosol Spray for Athlete's Foot and Other Superficial Fungous Infections of the Skin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For athlete's foot and other superficial fungous infections of the skin; antifungal; antibacterialCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For athlete's foot and other superficial fungous infections of the skin; antifungal; antibacterial
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Pfeiffer Company
ID Number
1985.0475.052
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.052

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

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

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

Crane's Corn Remover

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Removal of corns and callusesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Removal of corns and calluses
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
Crane Medicine Co.
ID Number
MG.293320.1203
catalog number
293320.1203
accession number
293320

Tiz For Tender Feet

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Relieve tired, aching, swollen and sweaty feet, chilblains and frost bites, corns, bunions, ingrown nails and callusesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Relieve tired, aching, swollen and sweaty feet, chilblains and frost bites, corns, bunions, ingrown nails and calluses
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
Walter Luther Dodge Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1278
catalog number
293320.1278
accession number
293320

Excelsior Corn Eradicator

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Removes corns and callusesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Removes corns and calluses
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
C. S. Littell and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1320
catalog number
293320.1320
accession number
293320

Magic Corn Salve

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:An effective remedy for Corns, Bunions &c.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
An effective remedy for Corns, Bunions &c.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
W. T. Hanson Company
ID Number
MG.313462.036
catalog number
313462.36
accession number
313462

Magic Corn Salve

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:An effective remedy for Corns, Bunions &c.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
An effective remedy for Corns, Bunions &c.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
W. T. Hanson Company
ID Number
MG.313462.037
catalog number
313462.37
accession number
313462

Tiz for Tender Feet

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A Delightful Foot-Bath Tablet intended to help relieve Tired, Aching, Swollen and Sweaty Feet, Chilblains and Frots Bites, Corns, Bunions, Ingrowing Nails & Callous.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A Delightful Foot-Bath Tablet intended to help relieve Tired, Aching, Swollen and Sweaty Feet, Chilblains and Frots Bites, Corns, Bunions, Ingrowing Nails & Callous.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1912
maker
Walter Luther Dodge Company
ID Number
MG.293320.3027
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.3027

Coolene Foot Creme

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For tired, burning feet. Softens the callouses.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For tired, burning feet. Softens the callouses.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Coolene Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.161
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.161

Mycozal

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Mycozol is intended for the treatment of fungus infections of the skin (Epidermomycosis) such as athletes' foot-itch, eczematoid ringworm, dhobie itch and jockey strap itch.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Mycozol is intended for the treatment of fungus infections of the skin (Epidermomycosis) such as athletes' foot-itch, eczematoid ringworm, dhobie itch and jockey strap itch. It is also of decided value in the treatment of soft corns.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.078
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.078

Hydrophen White Ointment, New Improved for Athlete's Foot

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Amfre-Grant, Inc.
ID Number
1985.0475.443
catalog number
1985.0475.443
accession number
1985.0475

Calocide

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For professional and home use to ease tired, tender, uncomfortable feet, hard corns, and callouses.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For professional and home use to ease tired, tender, uncomfortable feet, hard corns, and callouses. Package also contains special plasters used in conjunction with foot bath to treat hard corns.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1945-01
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Consolidated Royal Chemical Corporation
ID Number
1984.0351.036
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.036

Shur-Off - Corns, Callouses

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:AIDS REMOVAL OF CORNS, CALLOUSESCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
AIDS REMOVAL OF CORNS, CALLOUSES
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Wellman Company
ID Number
1985.0481.108
catalog number
1985.0481.108
accession number
1985.0481

Haywood's Foot Powder, No 368

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:May be used for chafing and as a general healing powder. Overcomes excessive sweating of the feet, hardens the skin and prevents chafing.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
May be used for chafing and as a general healing powder. Overcomes excessive sweating of the feet, hardens the skin and prevents chafing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Pfeiffer Chemical Company
ID Number
1984.0351.160
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.160

Jim Crow Corn Salve

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Generally removes corns and bunions in 3 to 5 daysCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Generally removes corns and bunions in 3 to 5 days
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
J. J. Fleck
ID Number
1979.0798.349
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.349

Dr. Hunt's New Corn Cure

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Removes corns, bunions, and callusesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Removes corns, bunions, and calluses
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
American Chemical Company
ID Number
1979.0798.395
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.395

Gypsy Foot Relief

[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
ca 1920
maker
Hi Gypsy Company
ID Number
1979.0798.158
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.158

Tri-Une Foot Powder

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: For the relief of tired, burning, aching feetCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: For the relief of tired, burning, aching feet
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Turlington Chemical Company
ID Number
1980.0698.101
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.101

Criswell's National Corn Remover

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Removes corns, warts and callusesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Removes corns, warts and calluses
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
Criswell's Chemical Company
ID Number
1979.0798.352
catalog number
1979.0798.352
accession number
1979.0798

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