27361. Adulteration   and misbranding of   sutures.    U.   S.   v.   96  Envelopes   of
Sutures.     Default   decree  of  condemnation  and   destruction.     (F.   &  D.
no. 39016.    Sample no. 33815-C.)
This case involved sutures that were contaminated with viable micro-organisms 
and spores.
On February 3, 1937, the United States attorney for the Northern District 
of Illinois, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the 
district court a libel praying seizure and condemnation of 96 envelopes of 
sutures at Chicago, Ill., alleging that they had been shipped in interstate com- 
merce on or about September 22, 1936, by the Laboratory of the Ramsey Co. 
[County] Medical Society from St. Paul, Minn., and charging adulteration and 
misbranding in violation of the Food and Drugs Act. The article was labeled 
in part: "Plain Pyoktanin Catgut."
It was alleged to be adulterated in that its purity fell below the professed 
standard of quality under which it was sold, namely, plain pyoktanin catgut, 
since it was not "Plain * * * Catgut" but contained viable micro-organisms 
and spores, which contaminated it.
The article was alleged to be misbranded in that the statement "Plain 
Pyoktanin Catgut", borne on the label, was false and misleading when applied 
to catgut that was contaminated with viable micro-organisms and spores. It 
was alleged to be misbranded further in that it was offered for sale under the 
name of another article, namely, plain pyoktanin catgut, since plain pyoktanin 
catgut is a sterile, not a contaminated article.
On April 12, 1937, no claimant having appeared, judgment of condemnation 
was entered and the product was ordered destroyed.
M. L. WILSON, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.