Cure-alls and Salves

This section includes products such as liniments and salves. The text below provides some historical context and shows how we can use these products to explore aspects of American history, for example, the connections between human and veterinary medicine. To skip the text and go directly to the objects, CLICK HERE

 

Cuticura tradecard
Cuticura tradecard, Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution

Cure-alls
Patent medicines—a common name for proprietary “over-the-counter” products—were hugely popular in America from the mid-nineteenth century until the early twentieth century. During this period, drugs and remedies were largely unregulated, and manufacturers were free to make any health claims they wished about their products. Many patent medicines were “cure-alls,” in that their manufacturers claimed that they cured an enormous number of disparate diseases.

Frequently, these cure-alls also promised to remedy problems with the skin, complexion, hair, eyes, or even the shapeliness of the figure—anything that affected one’s physical beauty or health. Cure-alls began to disappear from the market after legislation was enacted in 1912 that prohibited manufacturers from making false and fraudulent therapeutic claims.

Cure-alls were manufactured both as liquid tonics, which were taken internally, and as salves, balms, or liniments, which were applied topically. Some products were labelled with directions for both internal and external use.

 

S.B. Goff's Magic Oil LinimentCuticura advertisement
Johnson's American Anodyne Liniment

S.B. Goff's Magic Oil Liniment claimed to treat: rheumatism, neuralgia, toothache, earache, stiffness in the joints, weakness in the side or back, sprains, bruises, sore throat, catarrh, diarrhea, dysentery, cholera morbus, piles, frosted feet, felons, corns, chapped or cracked hands, fresh cuts, old sores, pimples on the face. In horses, it cures scratches, old sores, galls, sprains, stiff limbs, splint, cholic, gravel, thrush. Johnson's American Anodyne Liniment claimed to treat: diphtheria, coughs, colds, influenza, bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough, cramp and pain in the stomach, bowels, or side; rheumatism, spitting of blood, and all lung complaints; sore throat, spinal complaints, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, chapped hands, burns, wounds, sprains and bruises. Cuticura advertisement: NMAH Archives Center,Warshaw Collection of Business Americana

 

Salves and Ointments, Liniments and Balms
Other salves, liniments, and ointments produced during the same period stopped short of making cure-all claims. These topical preparations were generally used to treat common skin, scalp, and hair problems and can be seen as precursors to the over-the-counter skin care and first-aid ointments in use today. Indeed, some brands of topical preparations produced during the late 1800s, such as Mentholatum, Bag Balm, and White Cloverine, remain available today. Robert Chesebrough patented petroleum jelly under the name Vaseline in 1872, and many of these salves have a base of petrolatum, or petroleum jelly. Salves were packaged in tins, while liniments were generally bottled. Liniments were liquids that often had a high alcohol content, which suspended oils of mint or pepper. The oils acted as a “counterirritant”—they stimulated mild irritation of the skin with the aim of lessening pain or inflammation in other areas of the body.

 

White Cloverine SalveMinard's Good Samaritan Ointment
White Cloverine SalveMinard's "King of Pain" LinimentGood Samaritan Ointment

 

Salves and liniments addressed aliments that often brought with them aesthetic concerns. Beauty standards of nineteenth and early twentieth century America placed a high priority on clear skin and full, thick hair. People used these salves and liniments to remedy complexion issues such as pimples and blackheads, as well as scalp conditions, such as ringworm and mange, that cause patchy hair loss. These products served the whole family, and provided both health and beauty help for one price. But they were especially appealing to women who were eager to avoid purchasing specifically cosmetic preparations. At this time, the use of cosmetic preparations was often socially unacceptable.


For Man or Beast
Older salves, ointments, and liniments were sometimes marketed as for “man or beast.” This tactic was especially applicable for products that claimed to cure or soothe minor skin irritations such as cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites, bruises, chafing, and dry cracked skin that are common to humans and their pets and livestock. Humans and their animals shared some skin ailments because they shared a common environment and were often in physical contact with one another. For example, both the rider and the horse may be tormented by saddle-chafed skin. In addition, fungal infections such as ringworm and parasitic infections such as mange could be easily passed between the family dog and children. Although the packaging for these products included separate directions for application to domestic animals versus humans, the healing action described is basically the same.
 

Brooks' Bears-Foot OintmentTaylor's Oil of Life for Man or BeastGentry Brothers Famous Mange Remedy
Brooks' Bears-Foot OintmentTaylor's Oil of Life for Man or BeastGentry Brothers Famous Mange Remedy

 

Bibliography ~ see the Bibliography Section for a full list of the references used in the making if this Object Group. However, the Cure-alls and Salves section relied on the following references:

Peiss, Kathy Lee. Hope in a Jar: The Making of America’s Beauty Culture. New York: Metropolitan Books, 1998.

Scranton, Philip. Beauty and Business: Commerce, Gender, and Culture in Modern America. New York: Routledge, 2001.

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Chapped hands, sunburn, and skin irritations. Use during and after shaving. Cuts, burns, and bruises. Coughs, colds, and hoarseness.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Chapped hands, sunburn, and skin irritations. Use during and after shaving. Cuts, burns, and bruises. Coughs, colds, and hoarseness.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
Toiletine Company
ID Number
1984.0782.196
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.196
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Minor burns. insect bites, stings, chapped hands, muscular pains, minor rheumatic pains, neuralgia, backache, aching joints, bruises and sprains.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Minor burns. insect bites, stings, chapped hands, muscular pains, minor rheumatic pains, neuralgia, backache, aching joints, bruises and sprains. Coughs due to colds, bronchitis, false croup and simple sore throat.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Northrup & Lyman Company, Limited
ID Number
2008.0018.290
catalog number
2008.0018.290
accession number
2008.0018
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For the treatment of burns, cuts, old ulcers, tetter, ringworm, itch, chapped and cracked skin, boils and abscessesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For the treatment of burns, cuts, old ulcers, tetter, ringworm, itch, chapped and cracked skin, boils and abscesses
Location
Currently not on view
maker
American Stopper Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1192
catalog number
293320.1192
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:for treatment of simple piles, minor skin irritations caused by poison ive, sunburn, galls, chafing, chapped hands, superficial burns or scalds.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
for treatment of simple piles, minor skin irritations caused by poison ive, sunburn, galls, chafing, chapped hands, superficial burns or scalds.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2002.0137.060
accession number
2002.0137
catalog number
2002.0137.060
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For human flesh: cuts, burns, bruises, chilblains, frost bites, chapped hands, sore throat, diphtheria, rheumatism, piles, ear ache, etc.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For human flesh: cuts, burns, bruises, chilblains, frost bites, chapped hands, sore throat, diphtheria, rheumatism, piles, ear ache, etc. Internally: coughs, colds, croup, whooping cough, phthistic, asthma and kidney affections.
For horses: botts, belly ache, yellow water, coughs, colds, and horse distemper. Nothing like it for heaves and all sores, corks, galls and barbed wire fence cuts and flesh wounds of all kinds, and the scratches. For cattle: horn distemper, caked bags, cracked teats, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
G. C. Taylor Company
ID Number
1989.0711.57
catalog number
1989.0711.57
accession number
1989.0711
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Unexcelled for healing burns, scalds, fever sores, chapped lips, bruises, cuts, cracked nipples, and all skin diseases.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Unexcelled for healing burns, scalds, fever sores, chapped lips, bruises, cuts, cracked nipples, and all skin diseases.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
R. T. Bower Co., Ltd.
ID Number
2008.0018.115
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.115
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For chapped hands and face. For the hair. It removes dandruff, keeping the head clean and hair moists. Gentlemen after shaving will find this a soothing application for the face.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For chapped hands and face. For the hair. It removes dandruff, keeping the head clean and hair moists. Gentlemen after shaving will find this a soothing application for the face.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
maker
William B. Hunt and Company
ID Number
1984.0782.212
catalog number
1984.0782.212
accession number
1984.0782
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A reliable remedy for the prevention and cure of cold sores, cold blisters, or fever blisters upon the lips and face. Also cures band player's tender and sore lips.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A reliable remedy for the prevention and cure of cold sores, cold blisters, or fever blisters upon the lips and face. Also cures band player's tender and sore lips.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1992.0273.01
catalog number
1992.0273.01
accession number
1992.0273
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Fritch's Salve is an external application for the relief of old sores, piles, eczema, catarrh, chapped hands, scalds, burns, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Fritch's Salve is an external application for the relief of old sores, piles, eczema, catarrh, chapped hands, scalds, burns, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
J.A. Fritch Products
ID Number
1983.0871.66
catalog number
1983.0871.66
accession number
1983.0871
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Used externally for pains caused by muscular rheumatism, lumbago, sprains, soreness of muscles, stiff neck, chilblains, frost-bites, poisonous stings.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Used externally for pains caused by muscular rheumatism, lumbago, sprains, soreness of muscles, stiff neck, chilblains, frost-bites, poisonous stings. If freely applied when fever blisters and pimples are forming, it will cause the swelling to quickly disappear.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
Alonzo O. Bliss Medical Company
ID Number
2008.0062.14
accession number
2008.0062
catalog number
2008.0062.14
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A valuable preparation for chapped lips, face and hands; minor burns and scalds; bites and stings of non-poisonous insects and all other conditions for which a soothing salve is useful.Currently not on v
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A valuable preparation for chapped lips, face and hands; minor burns and scalds; bites and stings of non-poisonous insects and all other conditions for which a soothing salve is useful.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1914
trademark registered (SRS - Smith's Rosebud Salve)
1908-03-10
trademark registered (R.P.CO. - Rosebud Perfume Company)
1914
maker
Rosebud Perfume Company
ID Number
1979.0798.163
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.163
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:...chapped hands, sores,..., burns, catarrh, pills,..., sore throat,...Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
...chapped hands, sores,..., burns, catarrh, pills,..., sore throat,...
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Mentho-Nova Co.
ID Number
1979.0798.157
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.157
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:promotes relief from conditions arising from excessive heat, exposure and minor skin troubles. Especially reommended for Prickly Heat and Foot Irriation.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
promotes relief from conditions arising from excessive heat, exposure and minor skin troubles. Especially reommended for Prickly Heat and Foot Irriation. Insect Bites, sunburn, nettle rash, chafing.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Charles Ammen Company
ID Number
1985.0475.346
catalog number
1985.0475.346
accession number
1985.0475
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For chapped and rough skin, hands, lipsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For chapped and rough skin, hands, lips
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Chesebrough Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1979.0798.305
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.305
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:for relieving Skin Irritations, Ringworm, Athlete's Foot, Itching, Soften and Remove crust in Eczema, Ground Itch (not hookworm,) Loose Dandruff, Itching Scalp, Surface Corns, CallousesCurrently not on v
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
for relieving Skin Irritations, Ringworm, Athlete's Foot, Itching, Soften and Remove crust in Eczema, Ground Itch (not hookworm,) Loose Dandruff, Itching Scalp, Surface Corns, Callouses
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1929
maker
Shuptrine Co.
ID Number
2005.0100.057
catalog number
2005.0100.057
accession number
2005.0100
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:We believe and recommend this preparation to be good for, chapped hands and lips, chafing, ulcers, dandruff, stiff joints, sparins, catarrh, sore throat, scalds, burns, itch, piles, ivy poisoning, some k
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
We believe and recommend this preparation to be good for, chapped hands and lips, chafing, ulcers, dandruff, stiff joints, sparins, catarrh, sore throat, scalds, burns, itch, piles, ivy poisoning, some kinds or rheumatism, eczema, erysipelas, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Ward & Company
ID Number
2005.0100.078
catalog number
2005.0100.078
accession number
2005.0100
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Sores, burns, chappedCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Sores, burns, chapped
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.0798.420
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.420
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the skin and scalp. A super creamy emollient. Sanative, soothing, healing.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the skin and scalp. A super creamy emollient. Sanative, soothing, healing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
Potter Drug and Chemical Corporation
ID Number
MG.293320.1209
catalog number
293320.1209
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For corns, callouses, warts, hangnails, insect bites, and general use.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For corns, callouses, warts, hangnails, insect bites, and general use.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1955
maker
Griswold Salve Corporation
ID Number
2008.0018.116
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.116
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2002.0136.155
accession number
2002.0136
catalog number
2002.0136.155
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the treatment of cuts, wounds, burns & bruises, inveterate ulcers, chilblains, chapped hands, insect bites, boils, bad legs &c.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the treatment of cuts, wounds, burns & bruises, inveterate ulcers, chilblains, chapped hands, insect bites, boils, bad legs &c.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Holloway, Thomas
ID Number
1980.0678.07
accession number
1980.0678
catalog number
1980.0678.07
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Effective in destroying head and crab lice; for external use onlyCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Effective in destroying head and crab lice; for external use only
Location
Currently not on view
retailer
Tupper's Pharmacy
maker
Hance Brothers and White Company
ID Number
1980.0698.050
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.050
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:for minor Cuts, Burns, Acne, Mosquito and all Insect Bites; As first aid for small hurts use Palmer's Lotion as an aid to prevent infection and foster healingCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
for minor Cuts, Burns, Acne, Mosquito and all Insect Bites; As first aid for small hurts use Palmer's Lotion as an aid to prevent infection and foster healing
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Solon Palmer
ID Number
1981.0170.022
accession number
1981.0170
catalog number
1981.0170.022
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:for the relief of simple itching of the skin due to non-poisonous Insect Bites and Chafing. Also for the relief of itching of the scalp and for the removal of the scales of dandruff. ..
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
for the relief of simple itching of the skin due to non-poisonous Insect Bites and Chafing. Also for the relief of itching of the scalp and for the removal of the scales of dandruff. .. will temporarily relive the itching caused by external piles.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1929
maker
Larned Corp.
ID Number
1985.0475.540
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.540

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.