21226. Misbrandlngr of Edrolax.    U. S. v. 40 Packages of Edrolax.    Default 
decree of condemnation, forfeiture, and destruction.     (F. & D. no.
30535.    Sample no. 32126-A.)
Examination of the drug preparation Edrolax disclosed that it contained 
no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of producing certain cura- 
tive and therapeutic effects claimed in the labeling.
On June 3,1933, the United States attorney for the Middle District of Pennsyl- 
vania, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the district 
court a libel praying seizure and condemnation of 40 packages of Edrolax at 
Scranton, Pa., alleging that the article had been shipped in interstate commerce, 
on or about March 14, 1933, by the Edros Natural Products, Inc., from New 
York, N.Y., 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 consisted 
essentially of a mixture of seed of Plantago ovata, P. psyllium, P. lanceolata 
and Lallemantia, royelana, agar-agar, and caramel.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the follow- 
ing statements appearing in the labeling, regarding its curative and therapeutic 
effects, were false and fraudulent: (Carton) "Accessory Food * * * Used 
for Bowel Regulation * * * in severe cases "; (circular) "We congratulate 
you sincerely on your purchase of Edrolax. It means that you have taken 
a long step forward to better health, increased vigor, greater happiness and 
longer life. It means that you may now free yourself Forever from cankerous 
evil of constipation, . . . the prolific source of chronic headaches ... of 
indigestion, gas, bloating and biliousness ... of rheumatism, arthritis, stiff 
joints, neuralgia and neuritis ... of nervousness, sleeplessness, tired feeling 
and mental depression ... of a dozen crippling devitalizing diseases, * * * 
an accessory Food * * * So Don't Expect Immediate Results the first time 
you take Edrolax, and Don't Lose Faith. Have just a little patience, give 
Edrolax time to help nature do its duty . . . and you will certainly have your 
reward in perfectly natural movement Daily, abounding new health and vigor, 
and freedom forever from poisonous, health-wrecking, habit-forming physics, 
* * * two teaspoonfuls of Edrolax three times a day, and three teaspoonfuls 
twice a day * * * the usual quantity necessary to produce proper results 
for even the most habitually constipated * * * an accessory food, * * * 
For Infants and For Certain Serious Inflammatory Intestinal Conditions in 
Grown-Ups. The delicate intestines of the infant may easily be seriously 
injured by harsh purgatives, and even by soap suppositories and enemas. Yet 
constipation is as dangerous with them as with older people.   In the past it
has been a real problem what to give. Now you have Edrolax tea . . . safe 
even when the infant is only a week or two old * * * wonderfully effec- 
tive in overcoming constipation. Edrolax tea is also highly recommended for 
older people suffering with ulcers, mucus colitis or bleeding, where the stomach 
or bowel lining is sore and inflamed. * * * To overcome constipation and 
at the same time help heal the inflamed condition, use Edrolax tea prepared 
as directed above. The dose is a cupful night and morning on an empty 
stomach. * * * accessory foods, * * * in the effective treatment of 
constipation. * * * helping to create the tonic state which is essential to 
its proper functioning.   *    *    *   bulk food."
On June 30, 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.
M. L. WILSON, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.