12745., Misbranding of Smith's buchu lithia pills. U. S. v. 12 Dozen Boxes 
of Smith's Buchw Lithia Pills. Default decree of condemnation, 
forfeiture, and destruction.     (F. & D. No. 17976.    S. No. E-4565.)
On November 7, 1923, the United States attorney, for the Western District 
of Pennsylvania, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in 
the District Court of the United States for said district a libel praying the 
seizure and condemnation of 12 dozen boxes of Smith's buchu lithia pills, at 
Pittsburgh, Pa., consigned by C. F. Smith, Boston, Mass., alleging that the 
article had been shipped on or about October 16, 1923, and transported from 
the State of Massachusetts into th,e State of Pennsylvania, and charging mis- 
branding ir violation of the food and drugs act as amended.
Analysis of a sample of the article by the Bureau of Chemistry of this depart- 
ment showed that the product was an iron oxide-coated pill containing pow- 
dered 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 libel for the reason that the 
following statements, regarding the therapeutic or curative effects of the said 
article, appearing on the labels, (box and circular) " For Rheumatism And All 
Diseases Of The Kidneys, Blood And Urinary Organs, Bright's Disease, Con- 
gestion of the Kidneys, Bladder Troubles, Dropsical Swellings, Cystitis, Ne- 
phritis, Diabetes, Nervous Debility, Malaria, Gout, Neuralgia, Sciatica, etc., 
Gravel, Stone in the Bladder, Pain in Back, Lumbago, etc., Sleeplessness, Nerv- 
ousness, Female Complaints and Irregularities And all Blood Impurities Due 
to Defective Action of the Kidneys * * * Uric Acid Solvent", (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, dyspepsia, * * * and a long 
train of Diseases. * * * They cure rheumatism, because they cure the 
kidneys", (testimonials) "permanently cured of obstinate kidney trouble and 
backache * * * completely cured of kidney trouble, backache and urinary 
trouble, * * * sure cure fo? kidney trouble. * * * the best remedy for 
weak kidneys * * * recommend them to any one with suppression or stop- 
page of urine. * * * For Backache, Inflammation of the Kidneys, * * * 
Bladder, * * * Dropsy, Whites or Leucorrhoea * * * Loss of Sleep, 
Lost Vitality, Painful Menstruation, * * * Catarrh of the Bladder Incon- 
tinence of Urine or Inability to Hold Water * * * 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", (additional circular) "remove acid and keep kid- 
neys and bladder healthy," were false and fraudulent in that the said state- 
ments were applied to the article so as to represent falsely and fraudulently 
to the purchaser and create in the mind of such purchaser the impression and 
belief that the article contained ingredients or medical agents effective as a 
remedy for the aforesaid conditions and diseases, when, in truth and in fact, it 
contained no ingredients or.combination of ingredients capable of producing the 
effects claimed.
On September 26, 1924, no claimant having appeared for the property, judg- 
ement of condemnation and forfeiture was entered, and it was ordered by the 
court that the product be destroyed by the United States marshal.
HOWARD M. GORE, Secretary of Agriculture.