18091. Adulteration and Misbranding of Vident No. 4 powder for Rigr&s' 
disease and Vident Riggs' disease month wash No. 6, U. S. v. 
16 Cans of Vident No. 4 Powder, et al. Decree of condemnation 
and forfeiture. Products released, under bond. (F. & D. Nos. 
25620, 25621.    I. S. Nos. 19801, 19802.    S. No. 3838.)
Examination of samples of the drug products herein described having shown 
that they consisted of a powder and a liquid, respectively, the powder being 
labeled as an antiseptic and germicide, whereas it was not antiseptic or germi- 
cidal, and both products bearing labels representing that they possessed cura- 
tive and therapeutic properties which they did not possess, the Secretary of 
Agriculture reported to the United States attorney for the Eastern District of 
Texas the following lots of the products located in Beaumont, Tex.
On January 5, 1931, the United States attorney filed in the District Court of 
the United States for the district aforesaid a libel praying seizure and con- 
demnation of 16 dozen cans of Vident No. 4 powder for Riggs' disease and 42 
bottles of Riggs' disease mouth wash Vident No. 6 remaining in the original 
unbroken packages at Beaumont, Tex., alleging that the articles had been 
shipped by Katz & Besthoff, New Orleans, La., in part on August 15, 1930, and 
in part on October 25, 1930, and had been transported from the' State of 
Louisiana into the State of Texas, and charging adulteration and misbranding 
in violation of the food and drugs act as amended.
Analyses of samples of the articles by this department showed that the 
Vident No. 4 consisted essentially of pumice, calcium carbonate, sodium bicar- 
bonate, sodium chloride, boric acid, and small proportions of zinc phenolsul- 
phonate, menthol, and thymol. Bacteriological examination showed that it was 
not antiseptic. The Vident No. 6 consisted essentially of potassium iodide, 
boric acid, zinc chloride, iodine, small proportions of formaldehyde, thymol and 
eucalyptol, alcohol, glycerin, and water.
It was alleged in the libel that the articles were adulterated in that their 
strength fell below the professed standard or quality of "Antiseptic * * * 
Germicidal," under which they were sold.
Misbranding was alleged for the reason that the statement on the label, 
"Antiseptic   *    *    *   germicidal," was false and misleading.
The adulteration and misbranding charges based on the claims of antiseptic 
and germicidal properties for the articles were apparently applicable only to the 
powder, and were so recommended by this department.
Misbranding was alleged in the libel for the further reason that the following 
statements regarding the curative or therapeutic effects of the articles were 
false and fraudulent: (Vident powder, carton and can labels) " Riggs' Disease. 
An adjunct to Vident Riggs' Disease Mouth Wash * * * and assists the 
recovery of the gums;" (Vident mouth wash, carton and bottle labefe) 
" Riggs' Disease Mouth Wash is invaluable for all forms of Stomatitis, Gingi- 
vitis, Salivation and Aphthae, and is a great aid in the treatment of Pyorrhea 
Alveolaris * * * Vident Riggs' Disease Powder Number Four must be 
used in conjunction with this Mouth Wash."
On March 16, 1931, Katz & Besthoff (Ltd.), New Orleans, La., having 
appeared as claimant for the property and having confessed judgment, and 
the court having found that the allegations of the libel were confessed to be 
true, a decree was entered ordering that the products be condemned and for- 
feited, and it was further ordered by the court that the said products be 
released to the claimant upon payment of costs and the execution of a bond in 
the sum of $150, conditioned in part that they be relabeled so as to comply with 
the Federal food and drugs act.
ABTHUB M. HYDE, Secretary of Agriculture.