18670. Adulteration and Misbranding of Sfnco-Solvent. U. S. v. 18 Bottles 
of Muco-Solvent. Default decree of condemnation, forfeiture, and 
destruction. (F. & D. No. 24786.    I. S. No. 020818.    S. No. 3154.)
Examination of a drug product, known as Muco-Solvent, showed that the 
labeling of the article contained statements representing that it possessed cura- 
tive and therapeutic properties which, in fact, it did not possess. The labels 
also represented that the article was a vegetable compound; that it contained 
no harmful drug and could be administered safely to the youngest infant; that 
it possessed antiseptic properties, and that it contained 18 per cent of alcohol; 
whereas it was not entirely a vegetable compound, it might produce harmful 
results, it was not antiseptic, and it contained more than 18 per cent of 
alcohol.
On June 2, 1930, the United States attorney for the Eastern District of Michi- 
gan, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the District 
Court of the United States for the district aforesaid a libel praying seizure and 
condemnation of 18 bottles of Muco-Solvent at Detroit, Mich., alleging that the 
article had been shipped by the Van Vleet Co. (McKesson-Van Vleet-Ellis Cor- 
poration) from Memphis, Tenn., on or about March 29,1930, and had been trans- 
ported from the State of Tennessee into the State of Michigan, 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 it con- 
sisted essentially of salicylic acid, extracts of plant drugs, glycerin, alcohol, 
and water.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was adulterated in that its strength 
and purity fell below the professed standard or quality under which it was 
sold, namely: (Booklet) " Muco-Solvent is a vegetable compound, a solution of 
nature's antiseptics. * * * It is made of Nature's remedies-leaves, herbs, 
roots, etc. * ** * Measles * * * The specific action of Muco-Solvent 
upon the Mucous Membrane destroys the germ."
Misbranding was alleged for the reason that the following statements appear- 
ing in the labeling were false and misleading: (Booklet) "Muco-Solvent is a 
vegetable compound, a solution of nature's antiseptics, * * * It is made of 
Nature's remedies-leaves, herbs, roots, etc. * * * It is a germicide in the 
use of which the bacilli is killed and the accumulated mass dissolved and dis- 
integrated. It contains no * * * harmful drug, and may be safely admin- 
istered to the youngest infant as well as to adults. * * * Its action is that 
of a * * * antiseptic. * * * It wins its victory by destroying the dis- 
ease germs. * * *"* (page 11) Measles * * * The specific action of Muco- 
Solvent upon the Mucous Membrane destroys the germ; " (carton and bottle 
label) "Contents average 18 per cent alcohol." Misbranding was alleged for 
the further reason that the package failed- to bear a statement on the label of 
the quantity or proportion of alcohol contained in the article, since the state- 
ment made was not correct. Misbranding was alleged for the further reason 
that certain statements regarding the curative or therapeutic effects of the 
article, appearing in the labeling, were false and fraudulent, since the article 
contained no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of producing the 
effects claimed.
On July 15, 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.
ABTHUB M. HYDE, Secretary of AgrictUture.