18733. Misbranding of Thorson's Soap Lake salts. U. S. v. 14 Dozen Pack- 
ages, et al., of Thorson's Soap I>ake Salts. Default decree of con- 
demnation, forfeiture, and destruction. (F. & D. No. 26267. I. S. 
No. 11105.    S. No. 4538.)
Examination of a drug product, known as Thorson's Soap Lake salts, from the 
shipments herein described having shown that the labeling bore 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 District of Oregon.
On April 27, 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 14 dozen 1-pound, 1 dozen 2%-pound, and 1 dozen small packages 
of Thorson's Soap Lake salts, remaining in the original unbroken packages at 
Portland, Oreg., alleging that the article had been shipped by Thorson's Soap 
Lake Products Co., from Soap Lake, Wash., in part on January 17, 1931, and 
in part on February 17, 1931, and had been transported from the State of 
Washington into the State of Oregon, and charging misbranding in violation of 
the food and drugs act as amended.
Analysis of a sample of Thorson's Soap Lake salts by this department showed 
that it consisted essentially of sodium carbonate (50 per cent), sodium sulphate 
(25 per cent), sodium chloride (10 per cent), small proportions of other salts 
aid moisture (13 per cent).
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 thera- 
peutic effects of the said article, were false and fraudulent, since it contained 
no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of producing the effects 
claimed: "Directions for internal use * * * Recommended for Stomach, 
Liver and Bowel Troubles, Rheumatism, Skin Diseases, and Diseases of the 
Blood. * * * For bath purposes In treatment of Rheumatism and Skin 
Diseases, in conjunction with Thorson's Effervescent Soap Lake Salts to be 
taken internally. * * * In treating deep-seated diseases, Soap Lake salts 
should be used internally, both in drinking and in the internal bath or enema. 
* * * For Skin Disease * * * In bad cases make * * * Let the 
water dry on the skin; in the sun if possible. Home Treatment for Rheuma- 
tism. Use 2% pounds * * * in as hot a bath as can be borne, remain 
immersed in the water for about half hour. * * * to be continued until 
relieved. In addition to the baths take % teaspoonful of Thorson's Soap Lake 
Salts dissolved in glass of water half hour before meals. * * * For Ca- 
tarrh. Nasal catarrh is not only disagreeable and offensive, but it will lead to 
serious trouble. Nasal Douche * * * Use often in bad cases of 
catarrh * * * Female Trouble * * * is also valuable used in the in- 
ternal douche in treating inflammation of the female orKans. * * * once 
or twice a day until the inflammation is reduced * * * For the sick per- 
son, this nature's own gift is the most natural, the most scientific, the most 
practical way of relieving the human system of toxines or poisons, whether 
these poisons are the result of absorption from a source of infection or degen- 
eration, or lack of proper functioning of the organs of elimination. For the 
healthy person, there can be nothing better than to have the various organs 
toned up, and if any of the organs of elimination are below par, to have
' them 
assisted and rectified. Pure blood generates electric forees and nerve im- 
pulses, builds new tissue, flesh, bone and muscle, and generally tones up the 
whole system. The Potassium and Sulphates in these ' Sun Evaporated Salts' 
are great blood purifiers, being particularly effective in removing the causes 
of pimples, blotches, eczema and other unsightly skin troubles and relieve 
Rheumatism and Muscular Troubles. We call your attention to the percent- 
age of Chlorides, indispensable in cases
" of dyspepsia, biliousness, indigestion 
and any disorder of the stomach and bowels; as a powerful antiseptic, it 
cleanses as it works; as a sweetener of a sour stomach natural Sodium Car- 
bonate is without equal and is very valuable for eliminating uric acid; Silica 
absorbs poisonous gases in the stomach and bowels. Lime or Calcium is ideal 
for the young and growing, for the anemic and emaciated, for the nervous and 
run-down-as after an attack of the 'Flu.' The bath has long been looked 
upon as a valuable therapeutic agent, but is more so when containing Thor- 
son
's Soap Lake Salts, as the salts have a drawing, pulling effect that draws 
the waste fluids that are ever present under the skin, from the pores, replacing 
them with the elements contained in the salt, thus applying a deficiency and 
acting as an antiseptic. It also cuts the waste tissue from the surface of the 
body, leaving it pink and soft.   *    *    *   Give Health Thru the Skin."
On October 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.
ABTHTJB M. HTDB, Secretary of Agriculture.