27143. Adulteration and misbranding of Naco Nature's Aid.    U. S. v. 46 Bottles
of   Naco  Nature's Aid.     Default decree of condemnation and destruc- 
tion.     (F. & D. no. 38927.    Sample nos. 13678-C, 13693-C.)
The label of this product represented it as a "germicidal antiseptic", when 
it was not a germicide, and bore false and fraudulent curative or therapeutic 
claims.
On January 12, 1937, the United States attorney for the Eastern District of 
Louisiana, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the 
district court a libel praying seizure and condemnation of 46 bottles of Naco 
Nature's Aid at New Orleans, La., alleging that it had been shipped in inter- 
state commerce on or about June 24 and October 3, 1936, by the Naco Co., from 
Jackson, Miss., and that it was adulterated and misbranded in violation of the 
Food and Drugs Act as amended.
Analysis of the article showed that it consisted essentially of iron sulphate 
and water with small proportions of aluminum, calcium, magnesium, man- 
ganese, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus compounds. Bacteriological tests 
showed that it was not a germicide.
The article, contained in bottles of two sizes, was alleged to be adulterated 
in that its strength fell below the professed standard or quality under which 
it was sold, namely, (label on larger bottles) "germicidal antiseptic", and 
(label on smaller bottles) "Kills Germs * * * germicidal antiseptic" in that 
it was not a germicide.
The article was alleged to be misbranded in that the statements (label on 
larger bottles) "germicidal antiseptic", and (label on smaller bottles) "Kills 
Germs * * * germicidal antiseptic" were false and misleading in that it 
was not a germicide and did not have the germicidal properties claimed for it. 
It was alleged to be misbranded further in that the following statements re- 
garding its curative or therapeutic effect, borne on the bottle labels, 
falsely and fraudulently represented that it was capable of producing the effect 
claimed in said statements: (Larger bottles) "A soothing, healing application 
for sores, * * * burns, cuts, * * * For tonic indigestion, rheumatism, 
pus in kidneys, irritated bladder, dysentery, 5 to 10 drops in glass of water 
after meals three times daily. For acute indigestion, ptomaine poison, acute 
diarrhea, teaspoonful in glass of water * * * Sore throat and tonsils, 
dilute with water and gargle often. Ulcerated tonsils apply full strength. 
Fresh cuts, * * * toothache, * * * burns * * * apply immediately 
full strength. Sores, erysipelas, dilute and apply with cloth. Carbuncles apply 
full strength"; (smaller bottles) "Stops Blood—Kills Germs * * * A 
safe * * * remedy for external and internal use. Apply full strength to 
fresh cuts, * * * burns, toothache. Tonic 5 drops in water 3 times daily. 
Acute indigestion, ptomaine poisoning take teaspoonful in glass of water."
On February 25, 1937, no claimant having appeared, judgment of condemna- 
tion was entered and it was ordered that the product be destroyed.
HARRY L. BROWN, 
Acting Secretary of Agriculture.