9518. Misbranding of Robert J. Pierce's tablets. U. S. * * * v. 34 
Packages of * * * Robert J. Pierce's Empress Brand Penny- 
royal Tablets and 27 Packages of * * * Robert J. Pierce's Em- 
press Brand Tansy, Cotton Root, Pennyroyal, and Apiol Tablets. 
Default decrees of condemnation, forfeiture, and destruction. 
(F. & D. Nos. 13306, 13509. I. S. Nos. 3049-t, 3046-t. S. Nos. C-2302, 
C-2320.)
On August 24 and 25, 1920, respectively, the United States attorney for the 
Eastern District of Tennessee, acting upon reports by the Secretary of Agri- 
culture, filed in the District Court of the United States for said district libels 
for the seizure and condemnation of 34 packages of Robert J. Pierce's Empress 
Brand pennyroyal tablets and 27 packages of Robert J. Pierce's Empress Brand 
tansy, cotton root, pennyroyal, and apiol tablets, remaining in the original un- 
broken packages at Knoxville, Tenn., alleging that the articles had been shipped 
by Robert J. Pierce, Inc., New York, N. Y., on March 10, 1920, and transported 
from the State of New York into the State of Tennessee, and charging misbrand- 
ing in violation of the Food and Drugs Act, as amended. The pennyroyal tab- 
lets were labeled in part: (Box) "* * * the most Powerful and Reliable 
Emmenagogue known The only safe, sure and always effectual remedy in 
suppression (stoppage) of the menstrual function; " (circular) "* * * The 
Celebrated Female Regulator - * * * Active treatment should begin four 
or five days before the expected reappearance of the menstrual flow. * * * , 
Take one   *    *    *    three times daily    *    *
'  *   follow   *    *    *    instructions
* *    *    until the desired result is obtained    *    *    *    emmenagogue medicine
* * * they have invariably proved successful. As a Preventive of Irregu- 
larities.^—Take one * * * three times daily, * * * They can always be 
depended upon as a monthly regulator." The tansy, cotton root, pennyroyal, and 
apiol tablets were labeled in part: (Box) " * * * Tansy, Cotton Root, Penny- 
royal and Apiol Tablets. A Safe Emmenagogue, Always Reliable And Effective. 
The Best Known Remedy For The Suppression Of The Menstrual Function;;" 
(circular)"* * * Tansy, Cotton Root, Pennyroyal and Apiol Tablets * *¦* 
The Celebrated Female Regulator * * * Delayed Menstruations When the 
suppression is of long standing, * * * take . * ¦ * * four days before the 
time when the menses should appear. * * * immediately preceding the ex- 
pected appearance of the menstrual flow, active treatment should begin. Take 
one tablet three times daily, * * * follow instructions * *• * until the 
desired result is obtained. * * * Irregularities Where the menses are not 
regular. * * * are invaluable. * * * Take * * * before the expected 
appearance of the menstrual period."
Analyses of samples of the articles by the Bureau of Chemistry of this depart- 
ment showed that the pennyroyal tablets consisted essentially of ferrous sul- 
phate and plant extractives, including tansy and aloes; and that the tansy, cotton 
root, pennyroyal, and apiol tablets consisted essentially of ferrous sulphate and 
plant extractives, including pennyroyal and aloes.
Misbranding of the articles was alleged in substance in the libels for the 
reason that the above-quoted statements, regarding the curative and thera- 
peutic effects thereof, were false, fraudulent, and misleading in that they con- 
tained no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of producing the 
effects claimed, and in that the said articles were not cures for the complaints 
and ailments above quoted.
On January 18, 1921, no claimant having appeared for the property, judg- 
ments of condemnation and forfeiture were entered, and it was ordered by the 
court that the products be destroyed by the United States marshal.
C.-W. PUGSLEY, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.