1303. Adulteration and misbranding of Bx 56 Special Prescription Compound for Alco
holism. V. S. v. Mrs. Ethel G. Jeffery (Mar-Dor Laboratories). Plea of guilty.
Imposition of sentence suspended, and defendant placed on probation for 2 years,
conditioned upon the discontinuance of the sale of medical articles. (F. D. C.
No. 12552.   Sample No. 8174-F.)
On September 11, 1944, the United States attorney for the District of
Minnesota filed an information against Ethel G. Jeffery, trading as the
Mar-Dor Laboratories, Minneapolis, Minn., alleging shipment of a quantity?(
of the above-named product on or about August 21, 1943, from the State of
Minnesota into the State of Wisconsin.
Analysis of a sample disclosed that the article was in the form of capsules,
each of which contained 0.21 gram of potassium bromide, 6.4 milligrams of
benzedrine sulfate, and thiamine chloride.
The article was alleged to be adulterated in that its strength differed
from that which it purported and was represented to possess, since it pur-
ported and was represented to contain 0.4 gram of potassium bromide in each
capsule, whereas it contained not more than 0.21 gram of potassium bromide
in each capsule.
The article was alleged to be misbranded (1) because of false and mis-
leading statements on its label and in the accompanying leaflet and circular
entitled, "Instructions for Ex 56 Treatment for Alcoholism," and "'Rx56'
Special Compound An Aid to Drinkers," respectively, regarding its efficacy
in the cure, mitigation, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism; (2) in that
the statement on the label, "Potassium Bromide Grams 0.4 * * * Each
Capsule," was false and misleading; and (3) in that the article, because of
the presence of 6.4 milligrams of benzedrine sulfate, would be dangerous to
health when used in the dosage and with the frequency and duration pre-
scribed, recommended, and suggested in the aforesaid circular, i.e., "This
treatment for the average patient using 1 to 3 capsules a day."
On October 14, 1944, the defendant having entered a plea of guilty, the
court suspended imposition of sentence, and placed her on probation for a
period of 2 years, conditioned that she refrain from engaging in the sale of
medical articles of any kind.