19865. Misbranding of Ectonal dental poultices.    U. S. v. 107 Packages of
Ectonal Dental Poultices. Default decree of condemnation, for 
feature, and destruction.    (No. 20377-A.    F. & D. No. 29016.)
Examination of the drug product involved in this case disclosed that "the 
article contained no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of pro- 
ducing certain curative and therapeutic effects claimed in the labeling.
On October 8, 1932, the United States attorney for the Eastern District of 
Pennsylvania, 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 107 packages of Ectonal dental poultices, 
remaining in the original unbroken packages at Philadelphia, Pa., alleging 
that the article had been shipped in interstate commerce, in various consign- 
ments, on or about September 24, 1931, April 29 and May 3, 1932, by the 
Claymor Co., from Brooklyn, N. T., to Philadelphia, Pa., and charging mis- 
branding in violation of the food and drugs act as amended.
Analysis by this department of a sample of the article showed that it 
consisted of small gauze bags, each containing approximately 0.1 gram of a 
mixture of broken and powdered substances including red pepper, hops, bella- 
donna leaves, and acacia.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the 
following statements regarding the curative or therapeutic effects of the said 
article, were false and fraudulent: (Carton) "Aids in relieving discomfort of 
toothache, simple abscess, Inflammation * * * congestion * * * of 
teeth and gums. * * * Place an Ectonal Dental Poultice * * * until 
pain is relieved. * * * Ectonal Dental Poultice will relieve a toothache due 
to any cause with the exception of a cavity; " (circular) " Relieves toothache and 
pain of the gums, due to * * * abscess, congestion, inflammation * * * 
Place an Ectonal Dental Poultice * * * until pain is relieved. Ectonal 
Dental Poultice will relieve a toothache due to any cause with the exception of
a  cavity.   *   *    *   will give relief in a  few hours to abscessed or other ( 
abnormal conditions of the teeth and gums.    *    *    *    after pain has subsided." 
On October 28, 1932, no claimant having appeared for the property, judgment 
of condemnation and forfeiture was entered by the court, and it was ordered 
that the product be destroyed by the United States marshal.
HENET A. WALLACE, Secretary of Agriculture.