21521. Adulteration   and misbranding of   Madam   Syladex.    V.   S.   v.   100
Packages of Madam Syladex. Default decrees of condemnation 
and destruction. (F. & D. nos. 30100, 30348. Sample nos. 24986-A, 
28838-A.)
Examination of the drug preparation Madam Syladex disclosed that it con- 
tained no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of producing cer- 
tain curative and therapeutic effects claimed in the labeling. The labeling 
of the article represented it to be an accessory food containing Plantagp 
psyllium and dextrin, whereas it contained no Plantago psyllium, no appreci- 
able amount of dextrin, and had no food value.
On April 15 and April 24, 1933, the United States attorney for the District 
of Columbia, acting upon reports by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the 
Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, holding a district court, libels 
praying seizure and condemnation of 139 packages of Madam Syladex at 
Washington, D.C. It was alleged in the libels that 100 packages of the 
article were being offered for sale at the premises of Albert Leach, of Wash- 
ington, D.C, that the remaining 39 packages had been shipped in inter- 
state commerce, on or about March 30, 1933, by the Natural Health Products 
Co., from New York, N.Y., into the District of Columbia, and that the article 
was adulterated and misbranded in violation of the Food and Drugs Act as 
amended.
Analysis of a sample of the article by this Department showed that it 
consisted of approximately 80 percent of the seed of Plantago ovata and ap- 
proximately 20 percent of brownish particles containing a considerable pro- 
portion of ground carob bean, cacao, a reducing sugar such, as lactose and 
but a very small proportion, if any, of dextrin.
The libels charged that the article was adulterated in that its strength 
and purity fell  below  the professed standard and quality under which  it
was sold, namely, (carton) "The gelatinous substance of carefully selected 
Madam seeds of Plantago Psyllium * * * The Dextrine", since it con- 
tained no Plantago psyllium and no significant proportion of dextrin.
Misbranding was alleged for the reason that the statements on the, carton 
"The gelatinous substance of carefully selected Monam seeds of Plantago 
Psyllium * * * The Dextrine * * * An Accessory Food", were false 
and misleading. Misbranding was alleged for the further reason that the 
following statements appearing on' the carton and in the circular contained in 
the carton, regarding the curative and therapeutic effects of the article, were 
false and fraudulent: (Carton) "Indicated in the treatment of digestive dis- 
turbances, bowel irregularities and gastro-intestinal disorders. In such definite 
symptoms as * * * Diarrhea, Stomach Hyperacidity and other effects 
traceable to intestinal conditions. * * * Bowel Regulator * * * in 
severe cases * * * For Obstinate or Chronic Indigestion, * * * 
etc. * * * Keep up until relieved * * * Indicated in the treatment 
of digestive disturbances, bowel irregularities and gastro-intestinal disorders. 
In such definite symptoms as * * * Diarrhea, Stomach Hyperacidity and 
other effects traceable to intestinal conditions * * * coordinate in destroy- 
ing putrification * * * for normal regulation of the bowels * * * rec- 
ognized for its strengthening normalizing * * * qualities, * * * may 
be used periodically to maintain the active digestive processes in men, women 
and children * * * Natural Health"; (circular) " Natural Health * * * 
A natural regulator that restores .the normal activity of the bowels * * * 
Indicated in the treatment of digestive disturbances, bowel irregularities and 
gastro-intestinal disorders. In such definite symptoms as * * * Diarrhea, 
Stomach Hyperacidity and other effects traceable to intestinal condi- 
tions * * * coordinate in destroying putrification * * * for normal 
regulation of the bowels * * * is a natural agent recognized for its 
strengthening, normalizing * * * qualities * * * to maintain the ac- 
tive digestive processes in men, women and children. ' * * * produces 
highly satisfactory results in' cases of Colitis as well as in Chronic Constipa- 
tion ', * * * a bad case of bleeding piles unquestionably caused by chronic 
constipation has yielded to the treatment of Madam * * * Natural Health 
* * * in severe cases * * * for Obstinate or Chronic Indiges- 
tion    *    *    *    etc.    *    *    *    Keep up until relieved."
On October 18, 1933, no claimant having appeared for the property, judg- 
ments of condemnation were 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.