87249. Adulteration and misbranding of Miller's Antiseptic Oil. U. S. v. 12 
Dozen Packages, 64 Bottles, and 141 Bottles of Miller's Antiseptic Oil. 
Default decrees of condemnation and destruction. (F. St D. DOS. 38989, 
39027, 39126.   Sample nos. 18876-C, 18912-C, 22620-C.)
The labeling of this article bore false and misleading representations as to 
its penetrating properties, and to the effect that it contained no injurious sub- 
stances; and also false and fraudulent representations regarding its curative 
or therapeutic effects.
On February 1 and February 26, 1937, the United States attorneys for the 
Western District of South Carolina and the Eastern District of Missouri, act- 
ing upon reports by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in their respective 
district courts libels praying seizure and condemnation of 12 dozen packages of 
Miller's Antiseptic Oil at Spartanburg, S. C, and 205 bottles of the product at 
St. Louis, Mo., alleging that it had been shipped in interstate commerce on or 
about December 9, 1936, and January 5 and February 5, 1937, by the Herb 
Products Medicine Co., from Jackson, Tenn., and charging adulteration and 
misbranding in violation of the Food and Drugs Act as amended. It was 
labeled in part: "Miller's Antiseptic Oil For Years Called Snake Oil * * * 
Manufactured Only By Herb Juice Medicine Company   Jackson Tenn."
Analysis of the article showed that it consisted essentially of kerosene with 
small quantities of capsicum and volatile oils including turpentine oil, winter- 
green oil, and sassafras oil.
It was alleged to be adulterated in that its strength and purity fell below 
the professed standard or quality under which it was sold, namely, "External 
Preparation Containing Penetrating Oils Will Penetrate Thickest Sole Leather 
in Few Minutes", since it was not an external preparation containing penetrat- 
ing oils that will penetrate thickest sole leather in a few minutes. 
, It was alleged to be misbranded in that the statement borne on the package, 
"External Preparation Containing Penetrating Oils Will Penetrate Thickest 
Sole Leather in Few Minutes", was false and misleading when applied to an 
article consisting of the ingredients disclosed by the analysis; and in that the 
statement "contains no * * * injurious drugs", borne on the package, was 
false and misleading when applied to an article that consisted chiefly of kerosene, 
a highly irritating substance. The article was alleged to be misbranded further 
in that the following statements regarding its curative or therapeutic effects, 
appearing in the labeling, were false and fraudulent: (Carton and bottle) 
"External Preparation Containing Penetrating Oils * * *"; (circular) 
"Stops Aches and Pains Try this oil for the treatment of deep seated pain and 
soreness. Bathe affected parts with hot dry cloth and apply the oil, rubbing in 
well. Muscular Rheumatism: Rub well into affected joints and muscles and 
apply well greased flannel cloth. (Grease cloth with Krou-Monia Salve.) 
Lumbago: Treat same as deep seated pain. Corns: Apply the oil to corn upon 
retiring. It will soften the callous and draw the pain and tenderness from the 
root of the corn. * * * Burns and Scalds: If skin is not broken saturate 
cloth and apply to burned surface; if skin is broken mix with olive oil and 
apply. * * * Diarrhea and Cramps: Take 20 to 30 drops of oil in teaspoon- 
ful of sugar. Sore Throat: Bathe outside of throat well and apply cloth, 
greased with Krou-Monia Salve. Take few drops on sugar. Influenza, Colds, 
Pneumonia: Rub well into chest and apply cloth, greased with Krou-Monia 
Salve. Take few drops on sugar every two hours as needed to relieve coughing. 
Croup: Bathe chest freely, applying cloth greased with Krou-Monia Salve. Put 
a few drops of oil in a pan of steaming water and inhale. * * * these well 
known Health Giving Preparations.    *    *    *."
On March 15, March 24, and April 10, 1937, no claimant having appeared, 
judgments of condemnation were entered and the product was ordered 
destroyed.
H. A. WALLACE, Secretary of Agriculture.