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 Date: 1970s Clear All

Squibb Aspirin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Squibb Laboratories
ID Number
1985.0475.112
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.112

Biact Cold Tablets

Fast relief of nasal congestion, fever of colds and "flu"Currently not on view
Description
Fast relief of nasal congestion, fever of colds and "flu"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1970
trademark registered (BiAct)
1969-06-03
maker
Sauter Laboratories
ID Number
1981.0219.070
accession number
1981.0219
catalog number
1981.0219.070

Unguentine Childrens Spray, 4 Fl Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1973
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.102
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.102

Bisodol Antacid Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for fast relief from acid indigestionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for fast relief from acid indigestion
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1953-1978
maker
Whitehall Laboratories
ID Number
1985.0475.376
catalog number
1985.0475.376
accession number
1985.0475

Ocusol Eyedrops, New Bottle, 6 Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1976
maker
Morton - Norwich Products
ID Number
1986.0198.049
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.049

Amitone

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Most effective in relieveing acid indigestion, gas, sour stomach and heartburn due to excess acidity.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Most effective in relieveing acid indigestion, gas, sour stomach and heartburn due to excess acidity.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1952-1978
maker
Norex Laboratories
ID Number
1985.0475.345
catalog number
1985.0475.345
accession number
1985.0475

Unguentine Suppositories, 12'S

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1974
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.104
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.104

Triactin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Neutralizes excess acid, Calms nervous stomach, Relieves digestive upset.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Neutralizes excess acid, Calms nervous stomach, Relieves digestive upset.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1967-1978
ID Number
1985.0475.584
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.584

Unguentine Plus Ointment, 1 Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1973
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.099
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.099

Patch's Kondremul

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950 - 1970
ca 1948 - 1970
maker
E. L. Patch Company
ID Number
2008.0018.211
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.211

Amifur Dressing, 16 Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1972
maker
Norwich Agricultural Products
ID Number
1986.0198.001
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.001

Unguentine Plus Ointment, 2Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1973
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.100
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.100

B-Redi with Zinc

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1970
maker
Reese Chemical Company
ID Number
2004.0129.33
catalog number
2004.0129.33
accession number
2004.0129

Morton Salt Tablets, 10 Grain, 100

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1976
maker
Morton - Norwich Products
ID Number
1986.0198.026
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.026

Pluto Water

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1903-1971
maker
French Lick Springs Hotel Company
ID Number
1985.0481.098
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.098

Unguentine Plus, 1 Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1977
maker
Morton - Norwich Products
ID Number
1986.0198.098
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.098

Glycerin Suppositories, 12

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1971
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.019
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.019

Hanson's Magic Corn Salve

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An effective preparation for corns and callouses. Quickly soothes the pain and removes the corn in one night. Soak foot in warm water at night before application of salve.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An effective preparation for corns and callouses. Quickly soothes the pain and removes the corn in one night. Soak foot in warm water at night before application of salve. Spread thickly on corn and bind with piece of linen or gauze. Soak foot and remove corn the following morning.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s-1970s
product introduced
1884
maker
W. T. Hanson Company
ID Number
AG.P73.2759.06
catalog number
P73.2759.06

Unguentine Ointment, Original Formula, 1 Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1973
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.097
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
v

Ocusol Eyedrops, New Bottle, 0.6 Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1976
maker
Morton - Norwich Products
ID Number
1986.0198.048
accession number
1986.0198
catalog number
1986.0198.048

Dr. Kilmer's Swamp-Root

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1972
maker
Kilmer & Co., Inc.
ID Number
2008.0018.287
catalog number
2008.0018.287
accession number
2008.0018

Norforms Feminine Spray

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1970-1972
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1986.0198.040
accession number
1986.0198

Tiger Balm Analgesic

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For temporary relief of minor muscular aches and pains. For external use only.Directions: rub well on affected parts.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For temporary relief of minor muscular aches and pains. For external use only.
Directions: rub well on affected parts. Keep warm.
Caution: do not apply to irritated skin or if excessive irritatoin develops. Avoid getting into eyes or on mucous membranes. Use only as directed - keep out of reach of children.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1972
after 1972
ID Number
2015.0158.17
catalog number
2015.0158.17
accession number
2015.0158

Tri-Span, 12 Hour Decongestant Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: symptomatic relief of nasal congestion due to colds and hay feverCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: symptomatic relief of nasal congestion due to colds and hay fever
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Vick Chemical Company
Vick Chemical Company
ID Number
1985.0475.586
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.586

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.