18748. Misbranding of Alphozone.    U. S. v. 11 Bottles of Alphozone.    De 
fault   decree   of   condemnation,  forfeiture,   and   destruction.      (F.   &
D. No. 26869.    I. S. lxo. 5793.    S. No. 4963.)
Examination of a drug product, known as Alphozone, showed that the cir- 
cular contained statements representing that the article possessed curative and 
therapeutic properties which, in 'fact, it did not possess.
On August 19, 1931, the United States attorney for the District of Porto Rico, 
acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the District Court 
of the United States for the district aforesaid a libel praying seizure andi 
condemnation of 11 bottles of Alphozone, alleging that the article had been
shipped on or about June 18, 1931, by Frederick Steanis & Co., from Detroit, 
Mich., to San Juan, P. R., that it was being offered for Sale arid sold in Porto 
Rico by the Drug Co. of Porto RiCo (Inc.), San Juan, P. R., and that it was 
misbranded in violation of the food and drtigs act as amended.
Analysis of a sample of Alphozone by this department showed that it con- 
sisted essentially of succinic peroxide and succinic acid.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the fol- 
lowing statements appearing in the circular, 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: "Alphozone is indicated in all infections where a germicide can bfr 
brought in eontact with the pathogenic microorganisms present. * * * 
Acute and Chronic ulcers, sueh ds open sores, running boils, abscesses, ulcerous 
fistulas,   *   *   *   ulceration  of the mouth,  gastric ulcer,  cancerous  sores,
* * * chancres, chancroids, open buboes, syphilitic sores. Abscesses, in- 
cluding boils, carbuncles, * * * Inflammations of mucous membranes; for 
example, conjunctivitis, * * * (nasal catarrh) suppurative otitis media, 
stomatitis, tonsilitis, quinsy, pharyngitis, gastritis, enteritis, urethritis, gon- 
orrhea, gleet, cystitis, vaginitis, endometritis, leucorrhea. Diphtheria (to- 
check the disease and lessen the severity of the attack), smallpox (to prevent 
pitting), postpartum infection. Enteric infections, as in typhoid fever, cholera, 
infectious diarrhea and dysentery. * * * Skin diseases of an infectious 
nature, favus, ringworm, scabies, eczema. * * * Alphozone may be em- 
ployed for disinfecting the hands, the field Of operation   *    *    *   Directions
* * * In the treatment of infections of the eye, ear, nose, tirethra, bladder 
and such other organs as are particularly sensitive,   *   *   *   In gonorrhea
* * * One grain to the ounce (about l-to-500) has been employed with good 
results. In the throat, mouth, vagina, uterus * * * has proved valuable 
in certain infectious skin diseases, Internally-In typhoid fever * * * 
(two grains to a half tumblerful of water). * * * Alphozone is valuable 
in typhoid fever in preventing or reducing tympanites (which, when persistent, 
ig more to be dreaded than any other symptom) and thereby reducing the 
chance of intestinal hemorrhage and perforation. Alphozone is also beneficial 
in reducing br overcoming the intestinal infection. In other infections of the 
^astro-enteric tract Alphozone inay be similarly administered, varied accord- 
ing to indications.    [Similar statements in Spanish]."
On September 9, 1931, ho claimafat having appeared for the property, judg- 
ment of condemnation and forfeiture was entered, and it was ordered by the- 
court that the product be destroyed by the United States marshal.
ABTHUB M. HYDE, Sedreiary of Agriculture.