19477.  Misbranding of Urodonal.     U.  S. v. 34 Packages of Urodonal.    De- 
fault decree of condemnation, forfeiture, and destruction.     (P. &
D. No. 27944.    I. S. No. 48038.    S. No. 5914.)
Examination of a sample of a drug product, known as Urodonal, from the 
shipment herein described showed that the circular shipped with the article 
contained statements representing that it possessed curative and therapeutic 
properties which, in fact, it did not possess.
On March 24, 1932, the United States attorney for the District of Massa- 
chusetts, acting upon a report of the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the 
District Court of the United States for the district aforesaid a libel praying 
seizure and condemnation of 34 packages of Urodonal, remaining in the origi- 
nal unbroken packages at Boston, Mass., alleging that the article had been 
shipped by George J. Wallau (Inc.), from New York, N. Y., on or about 
February 24, 1932, and had been transported from the State of New York 
into the State of Massachusetts, and charging misbranding in violation of the 
food and drugs act as amended.
Analysis of a sample of Urodonal by this department showed that the arti- 
cle consisted essentially of methenamine (4 per cent), sodium phosphate (18 
per cent), sodium bicarbonate, tartaric acid, citric acid, and a small proportion 
of sugar.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the fol- 
lowing statements appearing in the circular accompanying the said article, 
regarding its curative or therapeutic effects, were false and fraudulent, since 
it contained no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of producing 
the effects claimed: (Circular) "Arthritism-Rheumatism-Arterio-sclerosis- 
Obesity-Gout-Gravel-Uricemia-Sciatica. Urodonal dissolves uric acid as hot 
water dissolves sugar. It cleans the liver and kidneys, purifies the blood 
and all the tissues, softens the arteries and reduces obesity by oxydising the 
fats. It cleanses the kidneys by removing uric acid crystals, and all the 
poisonous substances and impurities which kill the renal-tissue. Uric acid, 
a chemical deposit of nitrogenized substances, constitutes a most formidable 
poison for the organism. Arthritism, Gout, Rheumatism, Gravel, Eczema, 
Asthma, Sciatica, Headaches and Neuralgia—such are the principal diseases 
produced or maintained by an excess of uric acid in the blood. Urodonal 
eliminates this acid. It is a curative agent as reliable as it is prompt in its 
action. It presents no danger, even when taken in large doses, and may be 
continued for any length of time without incurring intolerance * * * 
Urodonal is the most active remedy against acute and chronic Rheumatism, 
or in the articular, muscular, or visceral forms. It dissolves the obstructions 
and the articular nodosities of those suffering from Rheumatism and Gout 
and is the best preventive against complications of Diabetes, Albuminuria, 
Weakness of the Kidneys, and Uremia. Persons who are threatened with 
stones in the bladder—those whose urine is thick, sandy or fetid—those who 
suffer from renal impermeability (various forms of Nephritia, Bright's dis- 
ease) should undergo the Urodonal treatment. One Is Old As One's Ar- 
teries—Urodonal keeps the arteries young and reduces the incrustations. It 
eliminates the chalk salts which coat the arterial walls, thus preventing 
arterio-sclerosis. * * * Urodonal should be recommended and given to 
children, whose parents are arthritic, diabetic, corpulent or hypersthenic, as 
a preventive measure. Directions For Use * * * Urodonal should be 
taken for, at least, ten consecutive days each month. Its continued use is 
absolutely harmless. Arthritic subjects should take it regularly. It is rec- 
ommended to everyone—whether arthritic or not—to take regularly a tea- 
spoonful of Urodonal in a glassful of water at night before retiring, for cleans- 
ing the kidneys during sleep. * * * Acute stages: Dose: three table- 
spoonfuls per day, during the whole duration of the illness. Children: One 
teaspoonful daily. To be taken regularly in case of hereditary arthritism. 
Acute stages: Two teaspoonfuls daily. * * * Urodonal Is Absolutely 
Harmless.    [Similar statements are made in foreign languages.] "
On April 26, 1932, 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. HYDE, Secretary of Agriculture.