19166. Adulteration and Misbranding of Pyradium. U. S. v. 13 Bottles of Pyradium. Default decree of condemnation, forfeiture, and de- struction. (F. & D. No. 27312. I. S. No. 44859. S. No. 5413.) Examination of a drug product, known as Pyradium, from the shipment herein described showed that the labeling bore statements representing that the article possessed curative and therapeutic properties which it did not possess. It was further claimed for the article that it was antiseptic and contained appreciable amounts of radium, whereas it was not antiseptic and contained a negligible amount of radium. On December 1, 1931, the United States attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, 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 13 bottles of Pyradium, remaining in the original unbroken packages at Milwaukee, Wis., alleging that the article had been shipped by the Radium Remedies Co. Minneapolis, Minn., on or about October 14, 1931, and had been transported from the State of Minnesota into the State of Wisconsin, 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 zinc sulphate, sodium chloride, boric acid, radium (1.68 millimicrograms per milliliter), glycerin, and water, flavored with peppermint oil and colored green. Bacteriological examination showed that the. article was not antiseptic. It was alleged in the libel that the article was adulterated in that it was sold under the following standard of strength and fell below such professed standard, since it contained an inconsequential proportion of radium and was not antisep- tic: (Bottle) "Radium * * * Preparation Pyradium Kill the Germs;" (circular) " Pyradium * * * To relieve Pyorrhea, you must destroy the germs * * * Pyradium is prepared especially to do these * * * things and it has proven beyond question most effective in accomplishing its purpose * * * Py- radium, an antiseptic * * * preparation * * * prepared with Radium * * * To destroy the insidious pyorrhea germs * * * is the purpose for which Pyradium was designed and intended. * * * The emanations given off from genuine Radium in Pyradium are stored up in the solution highly charging it, thereby making the other substances in Pyradium doubly powerful and effective due to what chemists call, ' Catalysis.' As electricity intensifies the magnetism of iron, as Pectin increases the jellying quality of fruit juices and sugar—so Radium electrifies and intensifies the antiseptic substances in the Pyradium solution. Pyradium Contains Radium * * * Pyradium * * * containing Radium, * * * The Wonders of Radium * * * Radium is * * * a powerful antiseptic, * * * allows mouth and gums time to absorb the Radium emanation * * * Pyradium * * * is an excellent antiseptic." Misbranding was alleged for the reason that the statements above quoted •were false and misleading. Misbranding was alleged for the further reason that the following 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 pro- ducing the effects claimed: (Carton) " Pyorrhea Preparation * * * Germi- cidal * * * Healing;" (bottle label) "Pyorrhea Preparation * * * Kill the Germs Save the Teeth * * * Use after meals, morning and evening, and upon retiring. * * * Soreness of gums having sufficiently diminished to permit, have dentist clean and scale tartar from teeth and irrigate Pyradium full strength into pus pockets. * * * As normal condition of gums is re- stored, the brushing of teeth and gums, once daily, with Pyradium full strength, should be sufficient to maintain healthy gums;" (coupon) "Guarantee This bottle of Pyradium is guaranteed to relieve pyorrhea, if used according to directions;" (circular) "Pyradium for Pyorrhea Radium Remedies Co. * * * Pyorrhea. Pyorrhea is a gum disorder which is very treacherous because of its almost painless progress and many times it is far advanced before persons are aware of any disturbances. How to tell Pyorrhea: When your gums bleed, even a little when you brush your teeth, so that the tooth brush shows pink, Pyorrhea is undoubtedly started. If some teeth are getting loose even if they don't hurt, Pyorrhea is surely to come. Try pressing hard against the gums with your fingers. If you see some white milky pus around the edge of the gums—that shows Pyorrhea. As Pyorrhea progresses, the formation of pus becomes worse and eventually may result in falling out of the teeth. A bad taste in the mouth is usually present. When Pyorrhea has reached the pus stage, absorption of this poisonous material into the system takes place, giving rise to rheumatism, stomach and intestinal disorders, anemia, eye and ear trouble, and various throat infections. To relieve Py- orrhea, you must first destroy the germs, then aid the tissues of mouth, gums and teeth back to health. Pyradium is prepared especially to do these two things and it has proven beyond question most effective in accom- plishing its purpose. It is equally effective in treating the many other infections of the mouth and throat, some of which are almost as disagreeable as Pyorrhea. Pyradium * * * was especially formulated for the treatment of Pyorrhea, Trench Mouth, and other Oral Infections. To destroy the insidious pyorrhea germs and invigorate the sluggish gum tissue, is the purpose for which Pyradium was designed and intended. Its regular use should bring satisfaction, allay and prevent infection, soothe the tender, bleed- ing gums and assist nature in making the gums firm and normal. * * * The emanations given off from genuine Radium in Pyradium are stored up in the solution highly charging it, thereby making the other substances in Py- radium doubly powerful and effective due to what chemists call, ' Catalysis,' * * * The almost inconceivable power of an atom of Radium explains why Pyradium, a pyorrhea treatment containing Radium can be manufactured and sold at a price within the reach of everyone. * * * 'That is what the radio-active treatment will do * * * stimulate the glandular secretions, the chemical composition of the body, eliminate the danger of the accumulatio '. of poisons and carry us on in health and vigor over many more years thaa 136455—32 3 are now considered the normal span of life.' The discovery of radio activity has to an extent revolutionized the theory and practice of modern medicine, for it has shown the existence of an entirely new and very efficient element or source from which healing power may be obtained and which has proven itself to be a power accessory in the treatment of various diseases. Numerous elements and maladies have been treated successfully with Radium ema- nation, Radium has a distinct physiological effect upon the human system. Clinical and laboratory tests have absolutely proven this. There is a decided ^beneficial effect upon the circulation. The Radium rays carry energy into the depths of the body, vitalizing every organ and tending to make every cell in the body full of health and vitality. The Way of Pyradium. Due to the tremendous power of Radium rays and the further fact that sluggish gum tissue is a factor in pyorretic conditions—although Pyradium is an astringent and powerful antiseptic, the invigorating and stimulating effect of the Alpha Rays in Radium is believed to be the major reason for the effectiveness of Pyradium. Pyradium has brought relief to thousands of people who were sufferers of Pyorrhea and is preventing many more thousands from falling prey to gum diseases. It will do the same for you if you follow carefully the directions in this little book. How to Use Pyradium. * * * Dilute one- half teaspoon of Pyradium with one and one-half teaspoons water. Rinse mouth thoroughly with this solution by forcing between teeth and gum at least three minutes and even better results will be had when held longer. This allows mouth and gums to absorb the Radium emanation into the tissues and Tblood stream, and time for the other substances in the solution to penetrate. "When treating Pyorrhea or other mouth infections, repeat the above use of Pyradium after morning and evening meals and at bedtime. As a preventative and to give Permanent Relief from Pyorrhea—brush teeth and gums, once •daily, with Pyradium full strength. An easy and pleasant way to use is to take a few drops between lips and teeth, then brush, or apply direct to brush. This makes the gums firm. * * * Radium used as a daily Mouth Wash to promote healthy conditions of the mouth, teeth and gums, and as an effective treatment for Bad Breath, should be diluted with 10 parts water and used after meals at least twice daily. For inflamed and Bleeding Gums, Sore Mouth, Canker Sores, Cold Sores and other Infections, or for Injury to the Gums or Mouth, and after Extraction of Teeth, dilute from one part Pyradium to four parts water to full strength, as seems to suit particular conditions and use as above directed. * * * In the Pyradium treatment, patient should visit the dentist to have tartar scaled from the teeth, to have corrected any mechani- cal defects and to have dentist inject Pyradium full strength, into pus pock- ets. * * * Our Iron Clad Guarantee: To those who have not previously used Pyradium, we guarantee that your money will be refunded (by us when purchased direct and by your druggist when purchased from him) if one bottle, used faithfully, according to directions, fails to give satisfaction in the treat- ment of Pyorrhea, Trench Mouth, bleeding gums, gum boils, or ulceration of the gums." On January 25, 1932, no claimant having appeared for the property, judgment ©f 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 Agriculture.