19165. Misbranding of   spearmint   tooth   paste.    TJ.    S.   v.   69    Small   and    8
Large Packages of Spearmint Tooth Paste. Default decree of 
condemnation, forfeiture, and destruction. (F. & D. No. 27382. 
I. S. No. 42845.    S. No. 5540.)
Examination of samples of spearmint tooth paste from the shipment herein 
described having shown that the labeling bore statements representing that 
the article possessed curative and therapeutic properties which it did not 
possess, the Secretary of Agriculture reported the matter to the United 
States attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
On December 15, 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 69 small and 8 large packages of spearmint tooth paste, 
remaining in the original unbroken packages at Philadelphia, Pa., alleging 
that the article had been shipped by W. W. Wrigley Sales Co., from Atlantic 
City, N. J., on or about June 29, 1931, and had been transported from the 
State of New Jersey into the State of Pennsylvania, 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 
consisted essentially of calcium carbonate, soap, and glycerin, flavored with 
spearmint oil.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the 
following statements regarding its curative or therapeutic effects, appearing 
in the circular accompanying the said article, were false and fraudulent, 
since it contained no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of pro- 
ducing the effects claimed: " Fermentation That enemy of your teeth and your 
smile * * * Anti-Fermentative Tooth Paste * * * Know how it acts to 
stop  fermentation—a  source  of  tooth  destruction  and  diseased  gums—and
how it brings pearl-like lustre to the teeth * * * Old Methods Fail. 
Teeth have been religiously brushed for years with the best known brands 
of dentifrices and various styles of tooth brushes. Yet teeth still decay. 
Pyorrhea alveolaris (Bigg's Disease) still causes gum tissues to become soft, 
spongy, and bleed easily and pus pockets to form. Teeth still loosen and 
fall out. Studies Fermentation. W. W. Wrigley began the study of fer- 
mentation years ago. As he delved deeper and deeper into the subject, he 
concentrated considerable thought upon the kinds of fermentation. This was an 
extremely important decision as later developments reveal. * * * Tartar— 
Cause Of Pyorrhea. Tartar, referred to in many different ways as mucin plaque, 
film, salivary calculus, dental calculus and seruma calculus, is that deposit on the 
teeth that feels so rough when you run your tongue over it. It is that substance 
that discolors teeth—mars their beauty. Tartar, above all other things, is a 
factor directly responsible for the occurrence of pyorrhea (Bigg's Disease). Be- 
jects All Theories, Many theories have been advanced to combat tartar, but all 
have been found insufficient. Tartar still forms, teeth become discolored and 
decay, gums fall victim to pyorrhea (Bigg's Disease). Some claimed pepsin 
digests film, others diatase and still others, pancreatin. W. W. Wrigley has 
tested and rejected each as ineffective. None of these are directed at the source 
or cause of tartar. Cause Of Tartar. Lactic acid, acting upon the secretions of 
the salivary glands of the oral mucous membrane, produces tartar. By the 
union of the two substances, a coagulum of mucus is formed in which are de- 
posited and entangled precipitated lime salts, mainly lactophosphates. * * * 
W. W. Wrigley Identifies The Source. W. W. Wrigley had learned that different 
substances and changed conditions result in different fermentation products. 
He applied these principles of fermentation to the human mouth. He iden- 
tified the source of lactic acid in the mouth, as one kind of fermentation; of 
ammonia, as another kind of fermentation, and a gummy mass often found 
adhering to teeth and acting as a bed for bacteria, as perhaps, a third kind 
of fermentation. Innumerable foods are eaten in many mouths, composing 
different chemical constituents, under various conditions. Different fermenta- 
tion products consequently, are formed. Fermentation The Origin Of Tartar. 
Many edibles are in perfectly prepared condition for fermentation. Particles 
of such foods, reposing in the crevices between the teeth and gums or adher- 
ing to the teeth, in a few hours, begin the process of fermentation. The 
process of fermentation can actually be observed. Liquid fermenting in a 
big vat foams, bubbles and tosses about as if agitated by great power. The 
sight of this makes it difficult to realize, that the same process goes on in 
the mouth on a smaller scale. Fermentation creates an odor. Fermenta- 
tion, in the mouth, causes bad breath, which is so objectionable and now 
openly condemned. Fermentation, in the mouth, also produces one or more 
chemicals, etc., that are deposited in the mouth. It may be lactic acid; it 
may be ammonia, it may be a gummy mass or it may be all because of the 
many varieties of fermentable foods and changeable conditions of the mouth. 
Either, of the first two, combines with other constituents in the mouth to 
form tartar. The first, lactic acid, also causes tooth erosion. Erosion starts 
in the enamel and may invade the dentin. The latter provides a field, by 
combining with other substances and adhering to the teeth. In the field, 
bacteria grow. Lime salts collect. Lactic Acid, ammonia and other food 
debris gather. B. Acidophilus may localize and colonize there. Hardening 
occurs. Dreaded tartar and ugly teeth appear. Tartar causes gum infection. 
Your doctor will tell you gum infection is the source of many ailments, such 
as, nervous trouble, neuritis, rheumatism, heart disease, kidney disease, and 
other diseases. Stop Fermentation. It, therefore, becomes necessary to stop 
fermentation with its destructive influences; to bring polish and lustre to the 
teeth. W. W. Wrigley recognized a great opportunity. He set out with 
the collaboration of leading dentists, chemists, doctors, and scientists to dis- 
cover a tooth paste of anti-fermentative character—a tooth paste that com- 
bats tartar and makes teeth gleam. Years of research have been rewarded. 
An anti-fermentative tooth paste has been discovered. * * * It is known 
as Spearmint Anti-Fermentative Tooth' Paste, and opens a new era in the 
care of teeth and the attack upon the causes of pyorrhea. Millions of satis- 
fied people now use this advanced method ,.to stop fermentation, with its 
destructive results, to bring pearl-like lustre, to their teeth. Beautiful smiles; 
pretty teeth are being seen everywhere. Fermentation and the stomach. The 
effect of chemicals, deposited in the mouth as a result of the process of fermenta- 
tion, have been clearly set forth only so far as the oral cavity is concerned.
Foreign substances, such as chemicals deposited from fermentation, may seri- 
ously affect the stomach and other orKans. Calcareous matter may be observed, 
not only about the teeth, but in the urinary bladder, gall-bladder and in gouty 
joints. Ammonia, found in the breath and recognized long ago, was thought to 
have come from the lungs. The discovery of W. W. Wrigley therefore, that fer- 
mentation is a source of ammonia, in the mouth, is startling the world. 
Chemists Fail in Combating Tartar. Many chemists have directed their 
efforts to combating tartar, without attacking its source and have failed. 
They overlooked fermentation, which results in chemical products that com- 
bine with other substances in the mouth to form tartar and present so 
many serious problems in the mouth. Spearmint Anti-Fermentative Tooth 
Paste Stops Fermentation. Spearmint Anti-Fermentative Tooth Paste aims 
directly at the source. Spearmint Anti-Fermentative Tooth Paste is formu- 
lated to stop fermentation. * * * By penetrating and coming in contact 
with fermentable foods, Spearmint Anti-Fermentative Tooth Paste stops fer- 
mentation. In arresting the process of fermentation, it causes a discon- 
tinuance of a fermentation production or formation of a gummy binder. 
Without a gummy binder, food debris, salts and germs either do not gather 
or loosen and are washed away. Teeth appear with a brilliancy. It, also, 
prevents the production from fermentation of chemicals, that form tartar 
and may become absorbed, in the system, with injurious results. * * * 
Anti-Fermentative Tooth Paste * * * Acid mouth is dreaded by many 
people. Acid mouth appears to be a common condition resulting from fer- 
mentation. The unremitting researches of W. W. Wrigley made it possible 
for him to so add to the ingredients of Spearmint Anti-Fermentative Tooth 
Paste that it is offered as an antacid, as likewise, an anti-fermenta- 
tive. * * * Correct Theory Experts agree Spearmint Anti-Fermentative 
Tooth Paste offers the right theory. Anyone can convince themselves in a 
few days by using Spearmint Anti-Fermentative Tooth Paste. Anyone desir- 
ing to test Spearmint Anti-Fermentative Tooth Paste will be given a free 
12-day tube. * * * I have given many years of my life leading to the 
conclusion that fermentation is a cause of serious tooth and gum trouble and 
then to compound an anti-fermentative, antacid tooth paste to stop that 
fermentation. That I have met with such universally accepted success and 
now see the results of Spearmint Anti-Fermentative Tooth Paste in the 
radiant white teeth of its users everywhere is the greatest source of satis- 
faction and contentment in my whole life."
On January 5, 1932, 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.
ABTHTJE M. HYDE, Secretary of Agriculture.