0546. Misbranding of   Pratt's    Conditioner.     U.    S.     *     *     *     v.    11    Boxes
* * * of Drug- Products. Default decree of condemnation, for- 
feiture, and destruction. (F. & D. No. 14418. I. S. No. 1720-t. S. No. 
C-2774.)
On or about February 8, 1921, the United States attorney for the Southern 
District of Texas, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in 
the District Court of the United States for said district a libel for the seizure 
and condemnation of 11 boxes of drug products, represented to be " Pratt's 
Conditioner," at Galveston, Tex., alleging that the article had been shipped by 
the Pratt Food Co., Philadelphia, Pa., on or about August 3, 1920, and trans- 
ported from the State of Pennsylvania into the State of Texas, and charging 
misbranding in violation of the Food and Drugs Act, as amended. The article 
was labeled in part: " Pratts Conditioner * * * prevents * * * Epi- 
zooty * * * Contagious Diseases, Restores the Wind. * * * makes Cows 
give richer milk * * * It positively prevents slinking of Calves, Coughs, 
Colds and common ailments. Hog Cholera Pratts Conditioner prevents Hog 
Cholera and cures it if promptly used. Because of its tonic and. regulative 
properties, Young Pigs will grow   *   *   *   free from disease."
Analysis of a sample of the article by the Bureau of Chemistry of this depart- 
ment showed that it consisted essentially of ground plant material, salt, char- 
coal, sulphur, and a small amount of an iron compound.
Misbranding of the article was alleged in substance in the libel for the reason 
that the statements appearing in the above-quoted label, regarding the curative 
or therapeutic effect of said article, were false and fraudulent in that it con- 
tained no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of producing the 
effects claimed.
On June 7, 1921, no claimant having appeared for the property, judgment of 
condemnation and forfeiture was entered, and it was ordered by the court that 
the product be destroyed by the United States marshal.
C. W. PUGSLEY, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.