447. misbranding of Laxrid. V. S. v. 72 10-Otmce Packages and 33 4-Ounce Pack-
ages of Lawrence Mack's Laxrid. Default decree of condemnation and
destruction.     (F. D. C. No. 3825.    Sample No. 52201-E.)
The labeling of this product failed to bear adequate directions for use, and
it also contained false statements regarding its ingredients, its efficacy as a
weight reducer, and its therapeutic qualities.
On February 20, 1941, the United States attorney for the District of Oregon
filed a libel against the above-named product at Portland, Oreg., alleging that
it had been shipped by Lawrence Mack, Inc., from Detroit, Mich., on or about
January 6, 1941; and charging that it was misbranded.
Analysis of a sample of the article showed that it consisted essentially of
Epsom salt, Glauber's salt, sodium bicarbonate, tartaric acid, citric acid, and
small quantities of sodium phosphate, potassium and sodium chlorides, saccharin,
and peppermint oil.
The article was alleged to be misbranded: (1) In that its label failed to bear
adequate directions for use since those given were not suitable for a laxative.
(2) In that the following statements in the label (carton and circular) "Report
of Laboratory Test of Lawrence Mack's Laxrid. 'We have tested a sample of
Lawrence Mack's Laxrid and find that it is entirely free from any of the poisonous
467449?-42 3
nolic Substances-None AleoihQlSL,.None. Veronal, Barbital, and similar com-
pouuds?.None Metallic Poisons^Nooe (Salts of lead, arsenic, antimony, mer-
cury, tin, bismuth and barium) Di-nitrophe!ioL.JN?ne Plant Tissues-None
(Pokeweed, bladder wrack, etc) Thyroid Extract. JSfone,' " were false and mis-
leading sinee they gave the impression that the article contained no deleterious
substances. (3) In that statements in the booklet entitled "'How I Reduced,"
representing that its use would "Do Away With Excess Weight," relieve constipa-
tion, that reduction of weight gained by its use usually was permanent; that it
would remove heaviness in body, take away that bloated, sluggish feeling; would
enable the user to get up full of vim, vigor, and vitality; and that it would
relieve gas and acids, were false and misleading since it would not be efficacious
for such purposes.
On April 17, 1941, no claimant haying appeared, Judgment of condemnation
was entered and the product was ordered destroyed.