18217. Misbranding of Gum-Rub, U. S. v. 29 Jars of Gum-Rub. Default decree of condemnation, forfeiture, and destruction. (F. & D. No. 26007. I. S. No. 20418. S. No. 4279.) Examination of a drug product, known as Gum-Rub, from the shipment herein described having shown that the jar and carton labels and the accom- panying circular contained statements representing that the article possessed curative and therapeutic properties which it did not possess, the Secretary of Agriculture reported the matter to the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York. On March 10, 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 29 jars of Gum-Rub, remaining in the original unbrokent packages at New York, N. Y., alleging that the article had been shipped by Gum Rub (Inc.), from Washington, D. C, on or about December 4, 1930, and had been transported from the District of Columbia into the State of New York, 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 sulphur (21.6 per cent), glycerin, gum, and water, flavored with peppermint oil. It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the fol- lowing statements regarding the curative or therapeutic effects of the said articles, appearing in the labeling, were false and fraudulent, since it contained no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of producing the effects claimed: (Carton) "A Treatment for Pyorrhea and Lesser Gum Disorders * * * A Home treatment for and in prevention of pyorrhea, and its fore- runners-receding, bleeding, tender and flabby gums, gum ailments, concur- rent with pregnancy, * * * gingivitis; for starved or undernourished gums. To revitalize the circulation, as a toner. * * * A Home treatment for and in prevention of pyorrhea, and its forerunners-bleeding, receding, spongy gums and other gum disorders. * * * Gum-Rub maintains health and vigor in the gums;" (jar label) " For Pyorrhea, Receding, Bleeding, Spongy and starved or undernourished gums; * * * Gum ailments during preg- nancy * * * Also, in prevention;" (circular) " Gum Rub maintains health, vigor, * * * in the gums. Furthermore, Gum Rub is a scientiflc treat- ment of mechanico-therapy value in pyorrhea and its forerunners; bleeding and receding gums, and other gum ailments, both for professional use and as a home treatment. * * * Treatments. Pyorrhea * * * In treating pyorrhea it is important to maintain proper nourishment in the gums in order to build up the impaired tissues, * * * For these prime requisites Gum Rub, in one operation, quickly and effectively resuscitates the circulation, thereby aiding nature in rebuilding the impaired tissues; * * * Receding Gums are generally due to the superficial gum surfaces having been denied nourishment. Thus the gums have shrunken or atrophied. If this condition is allowed to progress, finally the underlying structure also becomes deprived of proper nourishment and becomes a positive forerunner of, and leads to, pyorrhea. Treatment: In receding gums it is necessary to revivify the circu- lation so that fresh blood reaches the undernourished parts and rebuilds the tissue which has shrunken. Gum Rub Treatment promptly revitalizes the cir- culation. * * * In cases of marked recedence of gums, * * * the quan- tity of Gum Rub should not be cut down if it is hoped to overcome this gum disease and avoid pyorrhea. * * * Bleeding Gums * * * Too long de- lay and continued neglect of a bleeding condition may lead to pyorrhea. Treatment: To overcome bleeding gums, it is necessary to cause the tiny blood vessels to empty themselves and revivify the impaired circulation, to aid nature to build the broken-down tissues. In one operation Gum Rub revivifies the circulation * * ?* The time required to overcome bleeding gum conditions will vary and depends upon how badly the circulation is impaired. However, you will feel an improvement after the very first Gum Rub treatment * * * The treatment should be continued until the gums have returned to a normally healthy condition. Thereafter Gum Rub, once a day will aid in preventing the recurrence of this condition. * * * Flabby Gum Conditions-Due to undernourishment. Revitalization of the circulation and cleanliness are neces- sary. Spongy and flabby gums respond rapidly to Gum Rub treatment as in one operation Gum Rub revitalizes the circulation * * * Furthermore, by keeping the mouth clean one can often avoid various diseases of the gums. Dental hygienists are today using Gum Rub as a part of their oral prophylaxis- routine. * * * In Pregnancy-During the earlier months, disorders occur in the secretion of saliva and in the blood supply of the gums. As time goes on, an increase in gum infection and tooth decay may follow, ending in rapid and hopeless tooth destruction and chronic pyorrhea. Early treatment with; Gum Rub will prevent this unfortunate sequel. * * * Bear in mind that gum diseases are not a temporary or overnight condition, but the result of having neglected minor afflictions over a long period of time. Usually gum diseases reach a semi-serious or serious stage before the patient commences treatment. Thus, treatment with Gum Rub should not be discontinued be- cause gums show a superficial improvement, due to the quick action of Gum- Rub, but the treatment with Gum Rub should be continued until your dentist pronounces your gums as having returned to a normal and healthy condi- tion. Thereafter, treatment once a day should be continued as a prevention against recurrence of the disease." On April 6, 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. ABTHTJR M. HYDE, Secretary of Affrioulture.