24516. Misbranding of Steketee's Pin "Worm Destroyer, Steketee's Worm 
Destroyer in Syrup, and Steketee's Neuralgia Drops. U. S. v. 
George E. Steketce (Steketee's Family Medicines). Plea of guilty. 
Fine, $200. (F. & D. no. 32193. Sample nos. 5497-A, 5498-A, 5499-A, 
5500-A.)
This case was based on interstate shipments of drug preparations which 
were misbranded because of unwarranted curative and therapeutic claims ap- 
pearing in the labeling.
On September 20, 1934, the United States attorney for the Western District 
of Michigan, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the 
district court an information against George E. Steketee, trading as Steketee's 
Family Medicines, Grand Rapids, Mich., alleging shipment by said defendant in 
violation of the Food and Drugs Act as amended, from the State of Michigan 
into the State of Illinois, on or about March 3, 1932, of quantities of Steketee's 
Neuralgia Drops; and on or about June 25, 1932, of quantities of Steketee's 
Pin Worm Destroyer in tablet and powder form, and Steketee's Worm De- 
stroyer in Syrup, which were misbranded.
Analyses by this Department showed that the Pin Worm Destroyer in tablet 
form consisted essentially of potassium nitrate, sulphur, phenolphthalein, plant 
material including chenopodium, a small proportion of an iron compound, cal- 
cium carbonate, and sugar; that the Pin Worm Destroyer in powdered form 
consisted essentially of potassium nitrate (24.7 percent), sulphur (19.9 per- 
cent), phenolphthalein (3.7 percent), plant fiber such as seed hulls (29.3 
percent), Chenopodium, a trace of an iron compound and calcium carbonate; 
that the Worm Destroyer in Syrup consisted essentially of small proportions 
of potassium, sodium, calcium, iron salts, chenopodium oil, anise oil, extract of 
a plant drug, sugar, and water; and that the Neuralgia Drops consisted essen- 
tially of resinous and camphoraceous substances, ammonia (0.26 percent), 
alcohol (45 percent), and water.
The articles were alleged to be misbranded in that certain statements, designs, 
and devices regarding their curative and therapeutic effects, appearing in the 
labeling, falsely and fraudulently represented that the Pin Worm Destroyer 
in tablet form was effective as a relief from worm fits, worm spasms, worm 
fever, epileptic fits, and all kinds of worms; effective to purify the blood; that 
the Pin Worm Destroyer in powdered form was effective as a relief from worm 
fits, worm spasms, worm fevers, and epileptic fits; effective as a destroyer of 
all forms of worms; effective to cleanse the stomach and to purify the bowels; 
effective as a relief from various forms of convulsions and nervous affections; 
that the Worm Destroyer in Syrup was effective as a worm destroyer; effective 
as a destroyer of all forms of worms; effective to cleanse the stomach, to purify 
the blood and to relieve epilepsy or fits, and various forms of convulsions and 
nervous affections; effective as a remedy for foul breath, spasms, restlessness 
at night and fainting fits in children; effective to keep children healthy; effective 
to cause healthy, restful sleep; and that the Neuralgia Drops were effective as 
a remedy for neuralgia, rheumatism, kidney, and liver complaints, chronic 
headache, pains in the back, and toothache; and effective as a remedy for old
sores on man or beast; effective as remedy for backache, neuralgia of the 
womb, ulcerations of the womb, inflammation of the womb, and local discharges 
or whites; and effective as a wonderful remedy for neuritis, rheumatism, 
arthritis, and all pain in any form.
On November 7, 1934, the defendant entered a plea of guilty and the court 
imposed a fine of $200.
M. L. WILSON, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.