OS. Adulteration and misbranding: of Gotec. TJ. S. v. 9 Package* of Cotec
Default decree of condemnation and destruction. (F. D. C. No. 1211.
Sample No. 73892-D.)
This product was adulterated because it consisted in part of filth, and was
misbranded because of false and misleading representations regarding its
efficacy In the conditions mentioned hereinafter.
On December 21, 1939, the United States attorney for the District of New
Hampshire filed a libel against nine packages of Cotec at Concord, N. H.,
alleging that the article had been shipped in interstate commerce on or about
November 22, 1939, by the Cotec Co. from Lynn, Mass.; and charging that it was
adulterated and misbranded.
Analysis showed that the article consisted essentially of fat and excrement.
Adulteration was alleged in that the article consisted in part of a filthy
substance.
It was alleged to be misbranded in that its labeling bore representations that
it was an efficacious preparation for all kinds of piles including blind, bleed-
ing, itching, internal, and external piles; that it was a treatment that relieved
by absorption all inflammation of the lower bowel; that it would relieve such
condition without an operation or detention from business; that it was one of
the most popular and valuable of all pile treatments; that it would reduce all
congestion and swelling, and heal all sores, ulcers, and irritated parts im-
mediately ; that it would heal while one slept; that it was an efficacious prep-
aration for pile tumors; that it would be an efficacious preparation for the
symptoms of the disease (piles) among which are a kind of tenesmus, a bear-
ing-down sensation, heat, tension, and throbbing of the part varying from a
moderate degree of the sensations to the most excruciating suffering; that it
would be an efficacious preparation for prolapsus or falling of the bowels and
for various attendant symptoms of piles such as nervous pains, pain and
weakness in the back, irritation of the kidneys and bladder, and other organs
of the vicinity, pain and numbness in the legs and feet, a sense of straitness
about the chest, unnatural fullness of the abdominal viscera, accompanied by
palpitation and oppression of the heart, great derangement of the circulation,
sense of weight and pressure in the abdomen with peculiar feeling of uneasi-
ness in the bowels, sensation of bearing down ,in the rectum and perineum,
pain in the back and loins, nausea, slight pain in the stomach, scanty and high-
colored urine, pale countenance, confused sensation in the head, weariness
and irritable and discontented state of mind, sense of fullness and oppression
in the region of the stomach, feeble circulation on the surface; that it was
efficacious from the simplest first symptoms to the most aggravated type of
the disease; that it should be used in conjunction with Cotec Laxative Pills
to prevent a return of piles; that if used regularly it would effect a cure; that
it would cure quickly and permanently; that it was the best pile remedy,
which representations were false and misleading since the article was not an
adequate treatment for the conditions mentioned In the labeling but was a
filthy mixture unfit for medicinal use.
On January 24, 1940, no claimant having appeared, judgment of condemna-
tion was entered and the product was ordered destroyed.
DRUGS LABELED WITH FALSE AND MISLEADING THERAPEUTIC
CLAIMS