21527. Misbranding of Electrovita Mineralized "Water. U. S. v. Thirty-two 
1-Gallon Bottles of Electrovita Mineralized "Water. Default de- 
cree  of  condemnation, forfeiture,  and  destruction.    (F.   & D.  no.
30925.    Sample no. 40762-A.)
Examination of the drug product Electrovita Mineralized Water disclosed 
that it contained no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of pro- 
ducing certain curative and therapeutic effects claimed in the labeling.
On August 22, 1933, the United States attorney for the Northern District of 
Illinois, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the dis- 
trict court a libel praying seizure and condemnation of thirty-two 1-gallon 
bottles of Electrovita Mineralized Water at Chicago, Ill., alleging that the 
article had been shipped in interstate commerce, on or about July 31, 1933, by 
the Electrovita Co., Inc., from Norwalk, Ohio, 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 
consisted essentially of diluted lime water.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the fol- 
lowing statements regarding its curative and therapeutic effects, appearing on 
the bottle label and chart, were false and fraudulent: (Bottle) "Electro- 
vita * * * intended to combat harmful acids and, assist nature in the 
elimination of waste matter. * * * Directions Adults: One quart per day 
divided into four equal parts (an eight ounce glassful) preferably in the fol- 
lowing order: Twenty to thirty minutes before each meal and upon retiring. 
You cannot drink too much Electrovita but the quart per day has been found 
to be the desired amount. Children: According to Age. Chart will be mailed 
upon request"; (chart) "Instructions for Drinking Electrovita Four glassfuls 
of Electrovita per day has become our slogan and it is not often necessary to 
deviate from taking this amount excepting in cases of severe heart conditions, 
extremely severe kidney disorders (such as dropsy) and when being taken by 
children. Our physician has prepared the following table for general use: The 
quantities listed below should be taken one half hour before meals and before 
retiring. From one to three months, two teaspoonfuls added to milk four 
times daily. Six to twelve months, four teaspoonfuls added to milk, four 
times daily. One to three years, three ounces added to milk, three times daily. 
Five to seven years, three ounces added to milk, four times daily. Seven to 
nine years, four ounces four times daily. Nine to twelve years, five ounces 
four times daily. Twelve to fourteen years, six ounces four times daily. From 
fourteen on, the regular quantity of eight ounces, four times daily. These por- 
tions are recommended in practically all conditions, except severe heart dis- 
orders, and then the portions should be reduced to four ounces eight times 
daily. In extremely severe heart conditions it is possibly best to start with 
four half glasses per day, gradually building up to eight half glasses. In 
severe kidney disorders where there is a tendency toward dropsy, the water 
should be given at the rate of sixteen ounces daily, divided in four portions, 
until such a time as the kidneys are functioning—when the quantity taken 
can be gradually built up to where they are taking the full portions. The 
question has been frequently brought up, Should anyone discontinue Electrovita 
while experiencing a reaction. This reaction, as explained by our Dr. 
Mertens, is an exaggeration of symptoms, and is the usual experience when
the abnormal functioning of the various organs of the body are returning to a' 
normal functioning, and to decrease or discontinue Eleetrovita at such a time ¦ 
would just mean a prolonged reaction when starting again.    The Doctor ad- 
vises that Eleetrovita should be continued, unless there is as above stated, a 
heart reaction or a kidney reaction."
On October 9, 1933, no claimant having appeared fox 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.
M. L. WILSON, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.