20592.  Misbranding of Ka-Di-Ok compound.    U.S. v. 22 Bottles of Ka-Di-Ok 
Compound.    Default   decree   of   condemnation   and   destruction.
(F. & D. no. 29874.    Sample no. 32787-A.)
Examination of the drug preparation 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 label.
On February 24, 1933, the United States attorney for the Western 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 pray- 
ing seizure and condemnation of 22 bottles of Ka-Di-Ok compound, remaining 
in the original unbroken packages at Pittsburgh, Pa., alleging that the article 
had been shipped in interstate commerce on or about January 20, 1933, by 
Leisure Medicine Co., from Columbus, Ohio, to Pittsburgh, Pa., 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 essentially of extracts of plant drugs including a laxative drug, glycerin, 
alcohol, and water.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the fol- 
lowing statements regarding its curative and therapeutic effects, appearing on 
the bottle label, were false and fraudulent: " General Tonic * * * Intended 
to Assist in the Treatment of Rheumatism, Kidney, Liver, Indigestion and 
Stomach Trouble, Loss of Appetite, * * * Bad Blood, Tired Feeling, Sleep- 
lessness, Nervous Disorders and Auto-Intoxication * * * Stimulates or ex- 
cites the action of the Gastro Peptic glands, causing a more copious exertion 
of the digestive juices, whose enzymes are vitally necessary to perfect digestion 
and health. Any serious interference with the digestive process due to catarrhal 
mucus or excessive fermentation not only greatly retard or inhibit the assimi- 
lation of the caloric units from the proteins of the food, but cause acidity, eruc- 
tations and distress from gas pressure. In aggravated cases the action of both 
heart and lungs is impeded by this encroachment. Good digestion is absolutely 
necessary to nutrition, for upon this must depend blood making and all con- 
structive tissue building of bones, nerves and muscles with general strengthen- 
ing or revitalizing of the body. * * * A cholagogue cathartic increases the 
action of the liver, which is the strainer or purifier of the blood, when through 
its increased action more bile is eliminated or thrown into the intestines. The 
digestion of fats and starches are greatly facilitated; this increases peristaltic 
action of the intestinal tract, removes from the body that effete or waste mate- 
rial which, if retained, is the cause of Auto-Intoxication or self-poisoning result- 
ing in headache, fever, lassitude or a general depressed feeling."
On April 10, 1933, no claimant having appeared for the property, judgment of 
condemnation was entered and it was ordered by the court that the product be 
destroyed by the United States marshal.
R. G. TTTGWELL, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.