17618. Adulteration and Misbranding of compound syrup of white pine 
and tar mentholated. U. S. v. 33 Bottles of Compound Syrup of 
White Pine and Tar mentholated. Default decree of condemna- 
tion, forfeiture, and destruction. (F. & D. No. 24723. I. S. No. 
027353.    S. No. 3067.)
Examination of samples of a drug product known as Compound Syrup of 
White Pine and Tar Mentholated having shown that the labeling bore curative 
and therapeutic claims not justified by its composition and that it did not con- 
form to the National Formulary, the Secretary of Agriculture reported the facts 
to the United States attorney for the District of Massachusetts.
On April 16, 1930, the said United States attorney filed in the District Court 
of the United States aforesaid a libel praying seizure and condemnation of 
33 bottles of compound syrup of white pine and tar mentholated, remaining in 
the original unbroken packages at Boston, Mass., alleging that the article had 
been shipped by Hoyt Bros. (Inc.), from Newark, N. J., on or about March 6, 
1930, and had been transported from the State of New Jersey into the State of 
Massachusetts, and charging adulteration and misbranding in violation of the 
food and drugs act as amended.
Analysis of a sample of the article by this department showed that it con- 
sisted essentially of tar, menthol, extracts of plant drugs including wild cherry, 
sugar, chloroform, alcohol, and water.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was adulterated in that its name 
indicated that it was a compound sirup of white pine with the addition of tar" 
and menthol, whereas it differed in strength, quality, and purity from compound 
sirup of white pine as described in the National Formulary, with the addition 
of tar and menthol.
Misbranding was alleged for the reason that the following statements regard- 
ing the curative or therapeutic effects of the article, borne on the bottle and 
carton labels, were false and fraudulent, since the said article contained no 
ingredients or combination of ingredients capable of producing the effects 
claimed: (Bottle label) "Efficient Relief for Coughs * * * For relief of 
Coughs * * * Bronchitis * * * and various pulmonary disorders;"' 
(carton) "An Effective Relief for Coughs * * * and All Bronchial Affec- 
tions * * * This preparation is highly recommended as a strengthener and 
tonic in various disorders of the lungs and throat. It is intended to relieve the 
cough    *    *    *   A   simple  and   efficient   remedy   for   Coughs,    *    *   *   and
various Pulmonary disorders, gives grateful relief to inflamed condition of the 
throa-t and lungs."
On June 19, 1930, no claimant having appeared for the property, judgment 
of condemnation and forfeiture was entered, and it was ordered by the court 
that the product be destroyed by the United States marshal.
ABTHTJE M. HYDE, Secretary of Agriculture.