29031. Misbranding of rubber pessaries.    IT. S. v. 8 Dozen Perfection Womb Sup¬
porters.    Default  decree  of  condemnation and  destruction.     (F.  k D.
No. 42046.    Sample No. 9030-D.)
The labeling of this product bore, among other misrepresentations, false and 
fraudulent curative and therapeutic claims.
On March 26, 1938, the United States attorney for the Eastern District of 
Michigan, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the 
district court a libel praying seizure and condemnation of eight dozen alleged 
Perfection Womb Supporters at Detroit, Mich.; alleging that the article had 
been shipped in interstate commerce on or about January 17, 1938, from Akron, 
Ohio, by the Perfection Rubber Co.; and charging misbranding in violation of 
the Food and Drugs Act as amended.
The article, which was sold for the cure of disease, consisted of a thin cup- 
shaped rubber diaphragm surrounded by a ring of hollow rubber.
It was alleged to be misbranded in that the following statements appearing 
in the labeling were false and misleading since it was not what it was repre- 
sented to be: (Carton) "Womb Supporter"; (circular) "Womb Supporter 
* * * The French Womb Supporter is constructed on a common sense 
principle, and strictly in accordance with the anatomy of the female organiza- 
tion. * * * is not injurious in any way, * * * no apprehension of its 
going too far or doing the slightest harm need be felt." The article was alleged 
to be misbranded further in that the following statements appearing in a 
•circular enclosed with it falsely and fraudulently represented its curative and 
therapeutic effects: "A Blessing to Womankind * * * It affords a con- 
venient and prompt means of cure to those afflicted with prolapsus (falling of 
the womb), leucorrhoea (whites), and in the ready cure of the ulceration of 
the mouth and neck of the womb, so commonly the living torment of delicate 
women. In treatment of cancer of the womb, it is a most admirable instru- 
ment. The ordinary treatment of female diseases by injections is uncertain, 
slow, tedious, disgusting and expensive. In the use of local medication, by 
the, means of the Womb Supporter, the cure is directly applied to the seat of 
the disease, and can be retained any length of time with ease, comfort and 
success. By this valuable means, old chronic female affections, seldom curable 
by former modes of treatment, now yield readily."
On June 22, 1938, no claimant having appeared, judgment of condemnation 
was entered and the product was ordered destroyed.
M. L. WILSON, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.