Balm of America: Patent Medicine Collection

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.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Johnson and Johnson
ID Number
MG.314016.006
catalog number
314016.006
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Restores mental alertness and wakefulness when experiencing fatigue or drowsiness.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Restores mental alertness and wakefulness when experiencing fatigue or drowsiness.
Date made
c. 1980
maker
Chilton Labs, Inc.
ID Number
2004.0129.68
accession number
2004.0129
catalog number
2004.0129.68
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1978.0883.193
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.193
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.1144.117
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.117
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Johnson and Johnson
ID Number
1978.0235.191
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.191
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Indicated as a pleasant, quick acting, effective antacid relieving upset stomach, hyperacidity, fullness, sour stomach, heartburn, and other forms of distress due to over-indulgence in food or drink.Cur
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Indicated as a pleasant, quick acting, effective antacid relieving upset stomach, hyperacidity, fullness, sour stomach, heartburn, and other forms of distress due to over-indulgence in food or drink.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1880
after 1907
maker
A. Brioschi and Company
ID Number
1979.1144.029
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.029
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1933
maker
Mansfield Drug Company
ID Number
2008.0018.146
catalog number
2008.0018.146
accession number
2008.0018
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1898
maker
G. G. Green, Inc.
ID Number
MG.M-10241.05
catalog number
M-10241.05
accession number
241520
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.1144.120
accession number
1979.1144
catalog number
1979.1144.120
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1898
maker
G. G. Green, Inc.
ID Number
MG.M-10241.01
catalog number
M-10241.01
accession number
241520
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Warner Lambert Co.
ID Number
1998.0252.066
accession number
1998.0252
catalog number
1998.0252.066
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Warner-Lambert Co.
ID Number
1998.0252.051
accession number
1998.0252
catalog number
1998.0252.051
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1998.0252.024
accession number
1998.0252
catalog number
1998.0252.024
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
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For prescription compounding or for use on mucous membrane surfaces or instances of local infection or irritationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For prescription compounding or for use on mucous membrane surfaces or instances of local infection or irritation
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Crookes-Barnes Laboratories
ID Number
1981.0219.123
accession number
1981.0219
catalog number
1981.0219.123
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1898
maker
G. G. Green, Inc.
ID Number
MG.M-10241.06
catalog number
M-10241.06
accession number
241520
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1870s - 1890s
maker
Brown, O. Phelps
ID Number
2012.0165.006
catalog number
2012.0165.006
accession number
2012.0165
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Humphreys Medicine Company, Inc.
ID Number
1980.0769.05
accession number
1980.0769
catalog number
1980.0769.05
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.1144.122
accession number
1979 1144
catalog number
1979 1144.122
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1949
maker
Gold Medal Haarlem Oil Co.
ID Number
2008.0018.134
catalog number
2008.0018.134
accession number
2008.0018

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