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: *:* Date: 1940s Clear All

Nature's Remedy NR Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: laxative
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1945
maker
Lewis-Howe Company
ID Number
2008.0018.081
catalog number
2008.0018.081
accession number
2008.0018

B.Q.R. for Cold Discomforts

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For cold discomfortsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For cold discomforts
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940s
maker
Beeman's, Inc.
ID Number
1985.0475.600
catalog number
1985.0475.600
accession number
1985.0475

The Ru-Ex Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A preparation intended to be helpful in allaying muscular aches and painsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A preparation intended to be helpful in allaying muscular aches and pains
Location
Currently not on view
date made
prior to 1940
maker
Ru-Ex Company
ID Number
1988.3089.079
catalog number
1988.3089.079
nonaccession number
1988.3089

Panadex Powder

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 1940s
trademark registration date (for MPL)
1943-10-26
maker
Medico Pharmacal Laboratories
ID Number
1979.1144.086
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.086

Kohler Powders

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 1940s
maker
Kohler Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1979.1144.049
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.049

Mercirex Ointment

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1924 - 1940s
ID Number
1977.0941.11
accession number
1977.0941
catalog number
1977.0941.11

Ramon's Co-Tabs

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To help ease the headache, runny nose, and aches and pains of common colds.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To help ease the headache, runny nose, and aches and pains of common colds.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca. 1940
maker
Brown Manufacturing Company
ID Number
2008.0018.090
catalog number
2008.0018.090
accession number
2008.0018

Sugretus

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:To build up the vital organs, the defects of which are the cause of diabetes, burger [Buerger's disease], liver and kidney troubles.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
To build up the vital organs, the defects of which are the cause of diabetes, burger [Buerger's disease], liver and kidney troubles.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
After 1906
date made
ca 1940s
ca 1930s
maker
Dailey's Laboratories
Dailey's Laboratories
ID Number
MG.274347.228
catalog number
274347.228
accession number
274347

Genuine Gold Medal Haarlem Oil

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A diuretic to the kidneys. For adults only. 5 drops 3 times a day before meals. Mix into wine, milk, warm water, coffee, or tea. For temporary use only.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A diuretic to the kidneys. For adults only. 5 drops 3 times a day before meals. Mix into wine, milk, warm water, coffee, or tea. For temporary use only. Prolonged use may cause inflammation of kidneys.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
Gold Medal Haarlem Oil Co.
ID Number
2015.0158.10
catalog number
2015.0158.10
accession number
2015.0158

Garfield Headache Powder

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920s-1940s
maker
Garfield Tea Company
ID Number
MG.M-10255
catalog number
M-10255
accession number
241521

Dare's Elixir Mentha Pepsin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
Dare's Mentha-Pepsin Company
ID Number
2008.0018.205
catalog number
2008.0018.205
accession number
2008.0018

100 Multivitamin Capsules

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1945 (see note)
after 1945 (see note)
maker
Bovinine Company
ID Number
1988.3089.130
catalog number
1988.3089.130
nonaccession number
1988.3089

Dr. Hubbard's Vegetable Germicide

Date made
ca 1932-1940s
maker
J. Hubbard and Company
ID Number
1999.0015.4
catalog number
1999.0015.4
accession number
1999.0015

Hill's Cold Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For relieving the pains and discomforts of headaches, neuraliga and muscular aches and pains caused by or associaed with colds.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For relieving the pains and discomforts of headaches, neuraliga and muscular aches and pains caused by or associaed with colds.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
Wyeth Chemical Company
ID Number
2008.0018.065
catalog number
2008.0018.065
accession number
2008.0018

San-Tox Adjusters

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920-1940
ca 1920
maker
De Pree Company
ID Number
2008.0018.173
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.173

Fellows Compound Syrup

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
Fellows Medical Manufacturing Company
ID Number
2008.0018.207
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.207

Gold Medal Haarlem Oil Capsules

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A diuretic to the kidneys.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A diuretic to the kidneys.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1945
maker
Gold Medal Haarlem Oil Co.
ID Number
2008.0018.058
catalog number
2008.0018.058
accession number
2008.0018

St. Joseph Genuine Pure Aspirin, 36 5-Grain Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Plough, Inc.
ID Number
1985.0516.001
catalog number
1985.0516.001
accession number
1985.0516

Adler-I-Ka

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Intestinal evacuant. Efficient carminative cathartic.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Intestinal evacuant. Efficient carminative cathartic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924 -1940
maker
Adlerika Company
ID Number
2008.0018.203
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.203

Kohler Powders

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 1940s
maker
Kohler Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0170.057.B
accession number
1981.0170
catalog number
1981.0170.057.B

Wakefield's Blackberry Balsam Compound

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
after 1946
maker
Dr. C. Wakefield and Company
ID Number
2008.0018.250
catalog number
2008.0018.250
accession number
2008.0018

Grove's Cold Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Analgesic, Antipyretic, LaxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Analgesic, Antipyretic, Laxative
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
Grove Laboratories
ID Number
2008.0018.061
catalog number
2008.0018.061
accession number
2008.0018

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

Epsom Salt

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:An efficient purgative, active cathartic, and mild laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
An efficient purgative, active cathartic, and mild laxative
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940s
ID Number
MG.293320.1445
catalog number
293320.1445
accession number
293320

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