20591. Misbranding of Dr. Pirtle's Germ-Oil. U.S. v. 154 Bottles of Dr. 
Pirtle's Germ-Oil. Default decree of condemnation, forfeiture, 
and destruction.     (F. & D. no. 29892.    Sample no. 34058-A.)
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 on the bottle and 
carton labels and in a circular shipped with the article.
On February 27, 1933, the United States attorney for the Western District 
of Tennessee, 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 154 bottles of Dr. Pirtle's Germ-Oil at Memphis, 
Tenn., alleging that the article had been shipped in interstate commerce on 
or about January 23,1933, by the Germ-Oil Co., from Jonestown, Miss,, to Mem- 
phis, Tenn., 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 con- 
sisted of cottonseed oil, turpentine oil, and sulphur.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the fol- 
lowing statements regarding its curative and therapeutic effects, appearing in 
the labeling, were false and fraudulent: (Bottle) " Germ-Oil For Kidneys, Blad- 
der And Stomach Troubles Old Sores, * * * for pains about the body, 
Backache, Sidepleurisy, Cramps, Colic, Toothache, * * * or any Neuralgia or 
Rheumatic Pains. * * * For worms, * * * For Coughs * * * Germ- 
Oil"; (carton) " Germ-Oil For * * * Sores on Man or Beast. * * * Piles, 
Worms in Children, Etc. * * * For Backache, Kidneys, Bladder, Cramps, 
Colic, Blood Purifier, Stomach Troubles, etc."; (small circular) "For Any 
Pain About The Head Or Neck * * * Please Do Not Use For Rheumatism 
Unless You Use Germ Oil and Bathe in Strong Hot Salt Water 11 Times— 
Once a Day Germ Oil"; (large circular) " We do not claim that Germ-Oil will 
cure Rheumatism without the help of hot salt water * * * Backache 
* * * Germ-Oil Directions For Rheumatism * * * Take 12 or 15 Drops 
on Salt 7 Nights. Apply freely to parts affected. Also take Glass Hot Salt 
Water every Morning and Bathe in Hot Salt Water daily until relieved. For 
Backache, Kidneys, Bladder, Cramps, Colic and Blood Purifier.—15 Drops on 
Sugar at Bedtime for 7 nights, then take as feel the need of it. For * * * 
Sores on Man or Beast. * * * For Worms in Children. * * * For 
Coughs * * * For Stomach Troubles.—Take 15 Drops on Sugar at Bed- 
time for 7 nights, and take after each dose 1 or 2 glasses of Hot Water. For 
Toothache, * * * Earache, or any Pain about the Head or Neck.—Stop 
one Nostril with Finger, and Snuff Strong Smell up Each Nostril, and Rub on 
Place Affected until relieved. * * * Germ-Oil * * * you will find the 
Germ-Oil has gone through your Entire System, * * * If Germ-Oil does 
not cure you * * * For Private Disease or Lost Manhood 15 Drops at 
Bedtime on Sugar, until relieved."
On April 15, 1933, 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.
R. G. TTJGWELL, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.