20915. Misbranding of Blake's herb tablets.     IT.  S. v. 36  Small Packages,
et al., of Blake's Herb Tablets. Default decree of condemnation, 
forfeiture, and destruction. (F. & D. no. 30025. Sample nos. 31826-A, 
31827-A, 31828-A.)
Examination of the drug preparation Blake's herb tablets disclosed that 
it contained no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of producing 
certain curative and therapeutic effects claimed in the labeling.
On March 30, 1933, the United States attorney for the Southern District 
of New York, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in 
the district court of the United States a libel praying seizure and condem- 
nation of 36 small, 36 medium, and 12 large packages of Blake's herb tablets 
at New York, N. Y., alleging that the article had been shipped in interstate 
commerce on or about March 24, 1933, by the International Drug Co., from 
Boston, Mass., into the State of New York, 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 the 
tablets contained extracts of plant drugs including aloe and capsicum, and a 
mint oil.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the 
following statements regarding its curative or therapeutic effects were 
false  and   fraudulent:   (Label,   small  size)   "Nature's   Herb  Cure   Tablets
* * * Kidney and Liver Regulator * * * For * * * Indigestion 
Liver Complaint, Muscular Rheumatism, * * * Loss of Appetite, Pimples, 
Tetter, * * * and the many distressing symptoms arising from attacks 
of Malaria and Kidney Disorders. A Blood Purifier. * * * to start the 
bile from the Liver and remove it from the system " ; (label, medium and large 
sizes)   "Nature's Herb Cure Tablets   *   *    *   Kidney and Liver Stimulator
* *    *   Recommended    for   *    *    *    Indigestion,    Muscular    Rheumatism,
* * * Liver Complaints, Irregularities of the Bowels, Loss of Appetite, 
Pimples and Tetter,    *    *    *   Diseases arising from Torpidity of the Liver,
* *   *   and the many distressing symptoms arising from attacks of Malaria.
* *    *   to start the bile from the Liver and to remove it from the system." 
On May  16,  1933,  no claimant having appeared  for  the  property,  judg- 
ment 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. TUGWELL, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.