18377. Misbranding of Seven Drops. XT. S. v. 10/12 Dozen Bottles of Seven 
Drops. Default decree of condemnation, forfeiture, and destruc- 
tion.     (F. & D. No. 25930.    I. S. No. 28079.    S. No. 4148.)
Examination of a drug product, known as Seven Drops, from the shipment 
herein described having shown that the bottle and carton labels and the accom- 
panying circular bore statements representing that the article possessed cur- 
ative and therapeutic properties which it did not possess, the Secretary of 
Agriculture reported the matter to the United States attorney for the District 
of Delaware.
On February 24, 1931, the United States attorney filed in the District Court 
?of the United States for the district aforesaid a libel praying seizure and 
condemnation of 10/12 dozen bottles of Seven Drops, remaining in the original 
-unbroken packages at Wilmington, Del., alleging that the article had been 
shipped by the Shafer Pharmacal Co., from Philadelphia, Pa., on or about 
December 9, 1929, and had been transported from the State of Pennsylvania
into the State of Delaware, and charging misbranding in violation of the food 
and drugs act as amended.
Analysis of a sample of the article by this department showed that it con- 
sisted of sodium salicylate (56 grams per 100 milliliters), and water, colored 
red and flavored.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the 
following statements regarding the curative and therapeutic effects of the 
article, appearing in the labeling, were false and fraudulent, since it contained 
no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of producing the effects. 
claimed: (Bottle and carton) "Indicated in the treatment of Rheumatism,. 
Lumbago, Gout, Uric Acid, Kidney and Bladder trouble, * * * An aid in 
Eliminating Uric Acid;" (circular) "Indicated in the treatment of Rheuma- 
tism, Lumbago, Rheumatic Gout, Uric Acid, Suppressed Gout, Kidney and 
Bladder Trouble. * * * [Testimonials in circular] For ten years I suffered 
from Rheumatism. At times the pains in my joints were almost unbearable. 
I had just about given up all hope of obtaining relief, when I read your 
advertisement in the papers and bought a bottle of * * * After taking: 
the first bottle of * * * the pains disappeared and I haven't been troubled 
since. * * * I have the utmost confidence in your rheumatic remedy and 
heartily recommend * * * to all sufferers from rheumatism. * * * 
' Pains Disappeared' * * * I started taking * * * about a month ago. 
At that time I could hardly walk, now after using * * * for four weeks 
I feel like a new woman. I strongly recommend your remedy * * * to all 
sufferers of rheumatism."
On April 22, 1931, 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.
ARTHUR M. HTDB, Secretary of Agriculture.