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.

Turlington's Balsam of Life

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1982.0513.05
accession number
1982.0513
catalog number
1982.0513.05

Hollis' Jaundice Bitters

maker
Thomas Hollis
ID Number
MG.M-10757.098
catalog number
M-10757.098
accession number
256193

Hollis' Jaundice Bitters

maker
Thomas Hollis
ID Number
MG.M-10757.047
catalog number
M-10757.047
accession number
256193

OpH Eye Drops

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the temporary relief of congestion and discomfort due to minor irritations of the eyesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For the temporary relief of congestion and discomfort due to minor irritations of the eyes
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Winthrop Laboratories
ID Number
2001.0314.551
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.551

Hollis' Jaundice Bitters

maker
Thomas Hollis
ID Number
MG.M-10757.054
catalog number
M-10757.054
accession number
256193

Fletcher's Castoria for Children

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2001.0314.646
catalog number
2001.0314.646
accession number
2001.0314

Creamalin capsules

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1944
maker
Winthrop Chemical Company
ID Number
2001.0314.724
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.724

pHisoAc Cream

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1970
maker
Winthrop Laboratories
ID Number
2001.0314.686
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.686

Mercury Bichloride

ID Number
MG.M-12151.21
catalog number
M-12151.21
accession number
271464

Phillips' Phospho-Muriate of Quinine

maker
Chas H. Philips Chemical Company
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81508V04

Cascarets Laxative Tablets

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Sterling Remedy Company
R. L. Watkins Company
ID Number
2001.0314.657
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.657

Hollis' Jaundice Bitters

maker
Thomas Hollis
ID Number
MG.M-10757.069
catalog number
M-10757.069
accession number
256193

Hollis' Jaundice Bitters

maker
Thomas Hollis
ID Number
MG.M-10757.100
catalog number
M-10757.100
accession number
256193

K. & M. Effervescent Bromo Caffeine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1920 before 1938
maker
Keasbey & Mattison Company
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81570J01

Hollis' Jaundice Bitters

maker
Thomas Hollis
ID Number
MG.M-10757.104
catalog number
M-10757.104
accession number
256193

Hollis' Jaundice Bitters

maker
Thomas Hollis
ID Number
MG.M-10757.062
catalog number
M-10757.062
accession number
256193

Campho-Phenique Powder

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: As a dressing for minor lacerated, contused, and incised wounds. As a dressing after surgical operations.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: As a dressing for minor lacerated, contused, and incised wounds. As a dressing after surgical operations.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1910
maker
James F. Ballard, Inc.
ID Number
2001.0314.536
accession number
2001.0314
catalog number
2001.0314.536

Indian Herbs Tablets

ID Number
ZZ.RSN81522V59

K-Y Lubricating Jelly

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Johnson and Johnson
ID Number
MG.314016.006
catalog number
314016.006

Wakefield's Vegetable Cathartic Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: These Pills are unsurpassed as a thorough and active anti-bilious remedy in all acute attacks.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: These Pills are unsurpassed as a thorough and active anti-bilious remedy in all acute attacks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
pre-1906
maker
Dr. C. Wakefield and Company
ID Number
MG.274347.265
catalog number
274347.265
accession number
274347
catalog number
M-12140

Hollis' Jaundice Bitters

maker
Thomas Hollis
ID Number
MG.M-10757.081
catalog number
M-10757.081
accession number
256193

Mason's Health Defenders

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.313462.048.2
catalog number
313462.48
accession number
313462

Hollis' Jaundice Bitters

maker
Thomas Hollis
ID Number
MG.M-10757.053
catalog number
M-10757.053
accession number
256193

Unguentine Aerosol for Sunburn, 5 Oz

date made
1969-1982
maker
Morton - Norwich Products
ID Number
1986.0198.081
accession number
1986.0198

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