0666. Misbranding of Dr. A. W. Chase's nerve pills. U." S. * * * v. 6 
Dozen Packages of * * * Dr. A. W. Chase's Nerve Pills. Default 
decree of condemnation, forfeiture, and destruction.     (F. & D. No.
13370.    I. S.  No. 10108-t.    S.  No. W-684.)
On August 18, 1920, the United States attorney for the Western District of 
Washington, 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 6 dozen packages of Dr. A. W. Chase's nerve pills, 
remaining in the original unbroken packages at Seattle, Wash., alleging that the 
article had been shipped by the Dr. A. W. Chase Medicine Co., Buffalo, N. Y., 
January 10, 1920, and transported from the State of New York into the State 
of Washington, and charging misbranding in violation of the Food and Drugs 
Act, as amended. The article was labeled in part: (Label) "Used In The 
Treatment of * * * Nervous Prostration * * * Nervous Headache 
Nervous Dyspepsia * * * Irregular Heart Action Dizziness & Fainting 
Sleeplessness"; (circular) "* * * Nerve Pills impart new life and strength 
to every organ of the body, create new brain and nerve tissue, and make it 
next to impossible for the following diseases and symptoms of diseases to 
set   in: Nervous   prostration,   exhaustion,   depression,    *    *    *    sleeplessness,
* * * lack of energy, ambition and nerve force, paralysis, and locomotor 
ataxia; * * * diseased blood, * * * female troubles, * * * leu- 
corrhea (Avhites), painful, profuse or suppressed menstruation, tardy develop- 
ment of girls, sexual debility, loss of vital forces, premature decay, heart 
affections, neuralgia, rheumatism, la grippe, and all diseases of the brain 
and nerves. * * * On account of their extraordinary restorative influence 
an(j * * * action on the system, * * * Nerve Pills are especially suited 
to the needs of children. * * * weak and puny boys and girls become strong, 
healthy and robust. * * * nourish the blood and nerves * * * nourish the 
weakened and exhausted nervous system back to health and strength, * * * 
through the nerve fibers * * * send new vitality through the whole human 
system. * * * nerves * * * must be completely restored by such nourishment 
as can best be supplied by * * * Nerve Pills, the great restorative * * * 
loss of sensation in the hands, partial loss of memory * * * dizziness 
and uncertainty in walking. * * * should be treated * * * while there 
is hope of complete recovery. * * * Nerve Pills * * * restore the 
wasted nerve force, * * * by strengthening the nerves gives them full con- 
trol of the female orKans. * * * no preparation known * * * will more 
quickly create new, rich blood than * * * Nerve Pills. * * * contain 
the life-giving principles that entitle the blood to be called the ' vital fluid'
* * * make pale weak men and women strong and healthy. * * * give 
to the thin and emaciated a well rounded form which tells of a steady advance 
in health    *    *    *."
Analysis of a sample of the article by the Bureau of Chemistry of this 
department showed that the pills contained strychnine, arsenic, aloes, iron 
carbonate, and a manganese compound.
Misbranding of the article was alleged in substance in the libel for the 
reason that the above-quoted statements appearing in the labeling, regarding 
the curative and therapeutic effects thereof, were false and fraudulent since 
the said article contained no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable 
of producing the effects claimed.
On September 29, 1920, no claimant having appeared for the property, judg- 
ment 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.