18038. Misbranding of Jarabe de Kofressi Contra el Renmatismo.    U. S. v.
3  Dozen  Bottles   of  Jarabe   de  Kofressi   Contra  el  Renmatismo. 
Default   decree    of   condemnation,   forfeiture,    and   destruction.
(F. & D. No. 25889.    I. S. No. 5745.    S. No. 4135.)
Examination of the drug product herein described having shown that the 
carton and bottle labels and accompanying circular contained statements 
representing that the article possessed curative and therapeutic properties 
which it did not, the Secretary of Agriculture reported the matter to the 
United States attorney for the District of Porto Rico.
On February 17, 1931, the United States attorney flled in the District Court 
of the United States for the district aforesaid a libel praying seizure and 
condemnation of three dozen bottles of Jarabe de Kofressi Contra el Reuma- 
tismo at Aguadilla, P. R., alleging that the article was in possession of Jose 
Ferrari, Aguadilla, P. R., and was being sold and offered for sale in Porto 
Rico, and charging 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 potassium iodide, guaiacol, extracts of plant drugs, sugar, 
and water.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the fol- 
lowing statements appearing in the labeling, regarding the curative or ther- 
apeutic effects of the said article, were false and fraudulent, since it contained 
no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of producing the effects 
claimed: (Translation from Spanish, carton) "For the treatment of Muscular 
and Acute Rheumatism, Inflammation due to Gout, Lumbago and Sciatica;" 
(bottle) "Anti-Rheumatic * * * for the treatment of Articular and Mus- 
cular Rheumatism, Sciatica, Inflammatory Rheumatism, all acute manifes- 
tations of Rheumatism and Gout. The best Depurative for the Impurit'es of 
the Blood;" (circular) "Rheumatism, Under the word 'Rheumatism' there 
are included various affections of different nature: First, The acute affection 
in the articulations, known in medicine under the name of Acute Articular 
Rheumatism; Second, The disease or maybe the series of diseases named 
Chronic Rheumatism; and Third, Muscular Rheumatism. Acute Articular 
Rheumatism * * * There are possibilities that the inflammation may 
extend to the heart    *    *    *    chronic rheumatism    *    *    *    muscular rheu-
matism *? * * treatment * * * The best thing that has proven to be of 
best value, as it is demonstrated by numerous testimonials of individuals that 
were almost crippled and that had lost all hope of living, is the discovery of 
the celebrated and famous syrup Kofressi. This has been the savior of 
humanity * * * Anti-Rheumatic Syrup Kofressi * * * about a year 
ago I was suffering from a terrible Rheumatic affection, accompanied by in- 
farcts in the glands, specially those of the right armpit. This deprived me 
for a long time to attend to my business, because it was very difficult for me 
to do it on account of the pain. No longer being able to resist such terrible 
disease, and no alleviation having been felt with all the medicines I had 
taken * * * I noticed that the Rheumatism was ceasing, the gland disap- 
peared and that a sensation of good feeling was announcing me the return of 
my health. * * * This I make public as a duty * * * I feel highly 
grateful for having returned to me the most precious gift, Health, with the 
best Anti-Rheumatic Specific that has ever been known."
On March 7, 1931, 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.
AETHUE M. HYDE, Secretary of Agriculture.