320JLO. Misbranding of Smith's buchu lithia pills. IT. S. v. 6 Dozen Boxes, 
et al., of Smith's Bnchu Lithia Pills. Default decrees of con- 
demnation, forfeiture, and destruction. (F. & D. Nos. 17973, 17975,. 
17984.    S. Nos. E-4556, Er-4557, E-4558.)
On November 7, 1923, the United States attorney for the District of Maine, 
acting upon reports by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the District Court 
of the United States for said district libels praying the seizure and condemna- 
tion of 18 dozen small boxes and 2? dozen large boxes of Smith's buchu 
lithia pills, at Portland, Me., alleging that the article had been shipped in part 
by C. F. Smith and in part by W. U. [C. F.] Smith, from Boston, Mass., in 
various consignments between the dates of August 27 and October 27, 1923, 
and transported from the State of Massachusetts into the State of Maine, and 
charging misbranding in violation of the Food and Drugs Act, as amended.
Analysis of a sample of the article by the Bureau of Chemistry of this 
department showed that the product was an iron oxide-coated pill containing 
powdered licorice, extracts of plant drugs, including uva ursi and podophyllum, 
sodium, potassium, lithium and magnesium compounds, including nitrate and 
citrate, and soap.
Misbranding of the article was alleged in the libels for the reason that the 
boxes and accompanying circulars bore certain statements regarding the cura- 
tive or therapeutic effects of the said article, as follows, (box) " For Rheuma-
fcism And All Diseases Of The Kidneys, Blood And Urinary Organs. Bright's 
Disease, Congestion of the Kidneys, Bladder Troubles, Dropsical Swellings, 
Cystitis, Nephritis, Diabetes, Nervous Debility, Malaria, Gout, Neuralgia, 
Sciatica, etc., Grave [Gravel], Stone in the Bladder, Pain in Back, Lumbago, 
etc., Sleeplessness, Nervousness, Female Complaints and Irregularities And all 
Blood Impurities Due to Defective Action of the Kidneys * * * Uric Acid 
Solvent * * * [large size containing additional, ' Rheumatism And Kindred 
Diseases']," (circular) "a specific for Rheumatism and all diseases of the 
Kidneys and Bladder. * * * by removing the cause * * * will cure 
finally any curable case. * * * pale sallow complexion, headache, dys- 
pepsia * * * and a long train of diseases. * * * They cure rheuma- 
tism, because they cure the kidneys * * * 'permanently cured [of] ob- 
stinate kidney trouble and backache * * * completely cured of kidney 
trouble, backache and urinary trouble * * * sure cure for kidney trouble 
* * *.' ' * * * the best remedy for weak kidneys ***.>'*** 
recommend them to any one with suppression or stoppage of urine.' * * * 
For Backache, Inflammation of the Kidneys * * * Bladder * * * 
Dropsy, Whites or Leucorrhoea * * * Loss of Sleep, Lost Vitality, Pain- 
ful Menstruation * * * Catarrh of the Bladder Incontinence of Urine 
or Inability to Hold Water * * * In all old or chronic cases * * * to 
remove the uric acid * * * strengthen the kidneys and bladder and purify 
the blood. * * * permanent cures will certainly be the result. * * * If 
your case is chronic continue their use * * * they will cure any case," 
which said statements were false and fraudulent in that the said article con- 
tained no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of producing the 
therapeutic or curative effects claimed.
On November 28, 1923, no claimant having appeared for the property, 
judgments of condemnation and forfeiture were entered, and it was ordered 
by the court that the product be destroyed by the United States marshal.
C. F. MARVIN, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.