3235. Misbranding of Dr. Morse's Indian Root pills.   U. S. v. 125 Dozen Bottles
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 .   (F. D. C. No. 29343.   Sample No. 38870-K.)
LIBEL FILED :   June 6,1950, District of Puerto Rico.
ALLEGED SHIPMENT: On or about February 21, 1950, by the W. H. Comstock
Co., from Morristown, N. Y.
PEODTTCT: 125 dozen bottles of Dr. Morse's Indian Root pills at Santurce, P. R.
A circular entitled "Un Medicamerito Casero De Cpnfianza" was attached to
each bottle of the product by means of a paper wrapper entitled "Raiz India
Del Dr. Morse."
Analysis showed that the product consisted of plant drugs, including aloe.
NATURE OF CHARGE: Misbranding, Section 502 (a), certain statements in the
Spanish language in the circular accompanying the article were false and
misleading since the article was not capable of fulfilling the promises of benefits
stated and implied. The statements represented and suggested that the article
would correct derangement of the digestive organs caused by overeating and
overdrinking, and conditions resulting from disordered stomach and liver;
that it was not merely a laxative but exerted an effect on the liver and, in-
directly, on the entire system; that it was effective for imperfect digestion
and disordered or sluggish liver; that it would keep the bowels regular and
thereby remedy or prevent many disease conditions, including unnatural irri-
tation of the mucous membrane of the intestines; that it would enable intes-
tines that have lost their strength to perform their functions, would prevent
inflammation, and would remedy 1,000 other complaints which otherwise would
cause one a miserable and wretched life; that it would cleanse the stomach
and bowels and restore their natural strength; that it would remedy bilious-
ness and accompanying depression and demoralization of the entire system;
that it would correct a feeling of beaviness, lack of energy, sick headache, etc.,
resulting from biliousness; that it would cause elimination of the bowel con-
tent in a natural way, establish a more healthy condition, and thus prevent
and correct clogging of the ducts which connect the gall bladder with the liver
and intestines, which may cause a backing up of bile, dull pains, uneasiness
in the right side and shoulder blade, bitter taste, sudden dizziness on rising,
spots before the eyes, coated tongue, looseness of bowels, and constipation on
alternate days, rendering life hardly worth living; that it would relieve
the primary cause of many of the most serious diseases; that it would restore
the bowels to healthy action; that it would banish headache due to any of
the conditions previously mentioned; that it would cleanse the stomach; and
that it would relieve severe suffering of children from 1 day to 4 months of
age.
Further misbranding, Section 502 (b) (1), the label attached to the im-
mediate container of the article failed to bear the name and place of business
of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; and Section 502 (e) (2), the
article was fabricated from two or more ingredients, and the label attached
to the immediate container of the article failed to bear a declaration of the
active ingredients.
DISPOSITION :   July 24,1950.   Default decree of condemnation and destruction.