18191. Misbranding of compound syrup of sarsaparllla and burdock -with
Iodide of potassium. IT. S. v. 24 Packages of Compound Syrup ol 
Sarsaparllla and Burdock with Iodide of Potassium. Default 
decree of condemnation and destruction. (F. & D. No. 25548. I. S. 
No. 9318.    S. No. 3782.)
Examination of samples of the drug product herein described having shown 
that the bottle and carton labels bore statements representing that the article 
possessed curative or therapeutic properties which it did not, and that the carton 
did not bear a statement of the amount of alcohol contained in the article, the 
Secretary of Agriculture reported the matter to the United States attorney for 
the District of Columbia.
On December 23, 1930, 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 24 packages of the said compound syrup of sarsaparilla and bur- 
dock with iodide of potassium, alleging that the article was being sold and 
offered for sale in the District of Columbia at the premises of the Mathews 
Pharmacy, Washington, D. C, 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, extracts of plant drugs including licorice 
and sarsaparilla, sugar, alcohol, and water, preserved with a small proportion 
of salicylic acid and flavored with sassafras oil.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the follow- 
ing statements on the labeling, regarding the curative or therapeutic effects oi 
the said article, were false and fraudulent, since it contained no ingredient oi 
combination of ingredients capable of producing the effects claimed: (Bottle) 
"A Valuable and Efficient Remedy for Purifying the Blood, and Building up 
the System. It is highly esteemed for all diseases due to impure Blood, such 
as Salt Rheum, Boils, Blotches, Pimples, Tetter, Scrofula, Old Sores and Ulcers, 
also for Blood Poisoning resulting from Syphilis, etc. It imparts vigor and 
tones up the System by Purifying the Blood, Regulating the Bowels, Liver and 
Kidneys;" (carton) " Sarsaparilla and Burdock * * * in combination with 
Iodide of Potassium exert a marked curative action in all diseases due to im- 
purity of the blood, especially such as are inherited, or are the result of syphi- 
litic or mercurial blood poisoning. In Scrofula, Eczema, Tetter, Chronic Skin 
Disease, Scald Head, Erysipelas, Enlarged Glands, Chronic Rheumatism -and in 
offensive discharges from the nose and ears, decided benefit results from its 
regular use. The system besides being purified is toned up and invigorated, 
as the remedy, in addition to purifying the blood, builds up the constitution.'' 
Misbranding was alleged for the further reason that the carton containing the 
bottle of the article failed to bear a statement of the quantity or proportion of 
alcohol contained therein.
On May 1, 1931, no claimant having appeared for the property, judgment of 
condemnation was entered and it was ordered by the court that the product be 
destroyed by the United States marshal.
AETHtra M. HTDB, Secretary of Agriculture.