17487. Adulteration and Misbranding of Crane's laxative Quinine cold 
tablets. U. S. v. 48 Boxes of Crane's Laxative Quinine Cold Tab- 
lets.    Default   decree   of   forfeiture   entered.     (F.   &   D.   No.   24260.
I. S. No. 017702.    S. No. 2499.)
Examination of samples of a drug product known as Crane's laxative quinine 
cold tablets from the herein-described shipment having shown that the said 
tablets contained less acetanilide than labeled, that quinine did not constitute 
a principal ingredient thereof, and that the labeling bore certain curative and 
therapeutic claims not justified by its composition, the Secretary of Agricul- 
ture reported the facts to the United States attorney for the Northern District 
of Ohio.
On November 27, 1929, the United States attorney filed in the District Court 
of the United States for said district a libel praying seizure and condemnation 
of 48 boxes of Crane's laxative quinine cold tablets at Lima, Ohio, alleging that 
the article had been shipped by the Crane Medicine Co., Chicago, Ill., on or 
about July 15, 1929, and had been transported from the State of Illinois into 
the State of Ohio, and charging adulteration and misbranding in violation of 
the food and drugs act as amended.
Analysis of a sample of the article by this department showed that the 
tablets contained acetanilide (0.85 grain each), quinine sulphate (0.18 grain 
each), cinchonine sulphate (0.44 grain each), extracts of plant drugs including 
a laxative drug, and starch.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was adulterated in that its strength 
fell below the professed standard under which it was sold, namely: (Retail 
carton) " Each tablet contains one grain acetanilide."
Misbranding was alleged for the reason that the statement " Laxative Quinine 
Cold Tablets," borne on the labels, was false and misleading since quinine did 
not constitute one of the principal ingredients of the article, and for the 
further reason that the statement on the label, " Each Tablet contains one grain 
acetanilide," was false and misleading. Misbranding was alleged for the fur- 
ther reason that the following statements appearing on the retail carton, display 
carton, and in the accompanying circular, regarding the curative and thera- 
peutic effects of the article, were false and fraudulent, since it contained no 
ingredient or combination  of ingredients capable  of producing  the effects
claimed: (Retail carton) "For * * * La Grippe * * * Crane's Laxa- 
tive Quinine Cold Tablets relieve the feverish condition and headaches which 
are associated with * * * La Grippe;" (circular) "For checking and 
breaking up * * * Influenza. These tablets relieve the feverish condition 
and headaches which are usually associated with * * * Influenza;" (dis- 
play carton) " Crane's Laxative-Quinine Cold Tablets For * * * La Grippe. 
Relieve Over Night * * * If you neglect your cold it may develop into 
a racking cough or pneumonia. Why delay and run any risk? Buy a box 
now."
On March 10, 1930, no claimant having appeared for the property, judgment 
of forfeiture was entered, and it was ordered by the court that the product be 
destroyed by the United States marshal.
ABTHTJB M. HYDE, Secretary of Agriculture.