22975. Misbranding of Raz-Mah.    U.  S. v. 64 Packages, et al., of Raz-Mah.
Default    decree    of   condemnation,    forfeiture,    and    destruction.
(F.  & D. no. 32602.     Sample nos. 64254-A, 64255-A, 64256-A.)
This case involved a drug preparation, the labeling of which bore un- 
warranted curative and therapeutic claims.
On April 28, 1934, the United States attorney for the Northern District of 
Illinois, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the 
district court a libel praying seizure and condemnation of sixty-four 35-cent 
packages, two-hundred and two $1 packages, and three $5 packages of Raz- 
Mah at Chicago, Ill., alleging that the article had been shipped in interstate
commerce by the McKesson Farrand Williams Drug Co., from Detroit, Mich., 
that it had been received at Chicago, Ill., between the dates of September IS, 
1933, and February 17, 1934, and that it was misbranded in violation of the 
Food and Drugs Act as amended. The article was labeled in part: "Raz- 
Mah * * * Manufactured by Templetons Incorporated * * * Detroit, 
Michigan."
Analyses of samples by this Department showed that the $1 and $5 pack- 
ages consisted of capsules containing in each: Acetylsalicylic acid (approxi- 
mately 0.3 gram), caffeine, and charcoal; and that the 35-cent packages consisted 
of capsules containing acetylsalicylic acid, caffeine, and charcoal, white pills 
composed of potassium nitrate, plant material, including a laxative drug, uva 
ursi, red pepper, and juniper oil, and blue pills containing drugs of vegetable 
origin including aloin, red pepper, and strychnine.
The libel alleged that the article was misbranded in that the following 
statements regarding its curative and therapeutic effects, appearing in the 
labeling, were false and fraudulent: ($1 carton) "Raz-Mah A Medicine to 
Alleviate The Acute Paroxysms or Distressing Conditions arising from Asthma 
and Hay Fever Raz-Mah Directions Two Capsules Immediately Before or 
After Each Meal. If Suffering at Bedtime an Extra Dose May be Taken "; 
(35-cent carton) "Raz-Mah, A Medicine To Alleviate The Acute Paroxysms or 
Distressing Conditions Arising from Asthma, Bronchitis, Hay Fever * * * 
Directions For Asthma, Bronchitis, Hay Fever Take 2 Raz-Mah capsules im- 
mediately before or after each meal. If suffering at bedtime an extra dose 
may be taken. * * * Children 7 to 15 years half the adult dose"; ($5 
carton) "Raz-Mah is a medicine to alleviate the acute paroxysms or distressing 
conditions arising from Asthma and Hay-Fever Bronchitis * * * Direc- 
tions two Raz-Mah an hour before retiring and one or two at meal time as 
required; further directions enclosed. To Sleep To-night Use Raz-Mah To- 
day." The libel further alleged that circulars shipped with the article con- 
tained false and fraudulent claims relative to its effectiveness in the treatment 
of wheezy breathing, mucous gatherings in the bronchial tubes, shortness of or 
gasping for breath, loss of sleep through difficult breathing, stubborn and peri- 
odic head colds, bronchial asthma and other bronchial irritations, asthma and 
bronchorrhoea, constriction in the throat and chest, with difficult deglutina- 
tion and marked innervation, accumulation of mucus and sanious matter, 
renal asthma, rose cold, headache, depression, low spirits, and kidney trouble.
On July 8, 1934, no claimant having appeared, judgment of condemnation 
and forfeiture was entered, and destruction of the product was ordered.
M. L. WILSON, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.