24114. Adulteration and misbranding of fluidextract  of aconite, tincture
of aconite, fluidextract of digitalis, and fluidextract of squill 
compound. U. S. -v. 5 Bottles of Fluidextract Aconite, et al. 
Default decrees of condemnation and destruction. (F. & D. nos. 
34556 to 34559, incl.    Sample nos. 22447-B, 22449-B, 22451-B, 22454-B.)
These cases were based on shipments of fluidextract of aconite, a product 
recognized in the National Formulary, and of tincture of aconite, which was 
represented to be of pharmacopoeial standard, both of which products had a 
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potency of less than three tenths of that required by the authority in which 
described; of a lot of fluidextract of digitalis, a product recognized in the 
National Formulary, and which was practically inert; and a lot of fluidextract 
of squill compound which when tested for the physiological activity of its 
squill content, was found to be practically devoid of activity. The fluidextract 
of aconite and fluidextract of digitalis, because of their low potency, would not 
produce certain curative and therapeutic effects claimed on the labels, in the 
dosages recommended.
On December 17, 1934, the United States attorney for the Eastern District 
of Louisiana, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the 
district court libels praying seizure and condemnation of 16 bottles of fluid- 
extract of aconite, 13 bottles of tincture of aconite, 8 bottles of fluidextract 
of digitalis, and 19 bottles of fluidextract of squill compound at New Orleans, 
La., alleging that the articles had been shipped in interstate commerce on or 
about March 27, 28, and 30, 1934, by the Southwestern Drug Corporation from 
Houston, Tex., and charging adulteration and misbranding in violation of the 
Food and Drugs Act as amended.
The articles were alleged to be adulterated in the following respects: The 
fluidextract of aconite and the fluidextract of digitalis were sold under names 
recognized in the National Formulary, and differed from the standard of 
strength as determined by the tests laid down therein, and their own standard 
of strength was not stated on the container; the tincture of aconite was sold 
under a name recognized in the United States Pharmacopoeia, and differed from 
the standard of strength as determined by the test laid down therein, and its 
own standard of strength was not declared on the container; the strength of 
the fluidextract of squill compound fell below the standard or quality under 
which it was sold, namely, " Fluid Extract Squill Compound * * * Stand- 
ard of Strength—One Pint represents Squill   *   *   *   8 troy ounces."
Misbranding of the tincture of aconite, fluidextract of digitalis, and fluid- 
extract of squill compound was alleged for the reason that the statements, 
"Tinct.   Aconite   *    *    *   U.    S.   P.",    "Fluid   *    *    *   Extract    Digitalis
* * * Standard—1 Cc. representing 1 gram of the drug", " Fluid Extract 
Squill Compound   *   *    *    Standard of Strength—One Pint represents Squill
* * * 8 troy ounces", were false and misleading. Misbranding of the 
fluidextract of aconite and fluidextract of digitalis was alleged for the reason 
that the following statements regarding the curative or therapeutic effects of 
the articles, (fluidextract of aconite) "Properties A powerful nerve and arte- 
rial sedative; anti-pyretic, lowering temperature, reducing pulse * * * Dose 
of the Fluid Extract—% to 2 minims (0.03 to 0.12 Cc.)", (fluidextract of 
digitalis) " Properties—Cardiac Tonic. Used in dropsy depending directly upon 
diseases of the heart. Useful in chronic bronchitis with profuse secretion, 
lessening pulmonary congestion and secretion. Uterine hemorrhage may be 
controlled by digitalis. * * * Dose of the Fluid Extract—% to 2 minims 
(0.03 to 0.12 Cc.)", were false and fraudulent, since the articles in the dosages 
stated on the labels would not produce the effects claimed.
On January 8 and 11, 1935, no claimant having appeared, judgments of con- 
demnation were entered and it was ordered that the products be destroyed.
M. L. WILSON, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.