30648. Misbranding of Gordon BT-A-C Tablets, Gordon Stock Tonie, Gordon Bag
Salve, and Gordon Red Liniment. U. S. v. Cannon & Co. Plea of 
nolo contendere. Fine, $65. (F. & D. No. 42532. Sample Nos. 45767-C, 
45771-C, 45773-C, 45774-C, 43777-C.)
These products were misbranded because of false and fraudulent curative and 
therapeutic claims. The Gordon Red Liniment was misbranded further in that 
it was intended for internal administration but contained carbitol (ethyl ether 
of diethylene glycol), which is a toxic substance.
On January 24,1939, the United States attorney for the District of Minnesota, 
acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the district court 
an information against McConnon & Co., a corporation, Winona, Minn., alleging 
shipment by said company on or about June 8,1937, from the State of Minnesota 
into the State of Iowa, of quantities of the above-named drug preparations 
which were misbranded.
Analyses of samples showed that the N-A-C Tablets consisted essentially of 
volatile alkaloids (nicotine and arecoline), salts, calomel, and plant material,
together .with calcium. carbonate- and .iron- oxide; that the Bag Salve consisted 
essentially of a-yellow petrolatum ointment containing a small amount, of vola- 
tile oil; that the Stock Tonic consisted essentially of charcoal, plant materials, 
calcium phosphate and carbonate,.; sodium chloride, bicarbonate, .and. sulfate, 
and-iron oxide, ^together with small amounts- of nux vomica,- capsicum, and 
potassium iodide; and that the Red Liniment consisted essentially of a small 
proportion of camphoraceous material and capsicum in ,a solution of Capitol 
(ethyl ether-of diethylene glycol) and water, colored with a red dye.
The N-A-G Tablets were alleged to be misbranded in that certain statements 
on the bottle label and in a booklet shipped with the article, regarding its cura- 
tive and therapeutic effects, falsely and fraudulently represented that it was effec- 
tive to remove tapeworm strobilae from "all domestic fowls, chickens, and tur- 
keys," and effective as an aid in destroying the tapeworm strobilae in the aforesaid 
animals; effective to produce bile action and to purge domestic fowls and expel 
worms destroyed in their bodies; effective to remove tapeworm strobilae from 
all domestic fowls, chickens and turkeys weighing under 2 pounds and to cause 
a triple treatment and action in accomplishing such purpose; effective to produce 
an excessive bile flow that would cause tapeworms and large roundworms to 
loosen their hold; effective to operate with 100 percent efficiency in destroying 
worms in the intestinal tract, to protect against unthrif tiness, ruffled feathers, 
sagging wings, paleness of the head, droopiness, emaciation, diarrhoea, consti- 
pation, blindness, limbemeck, lameness, paralysis, and a condition like epilepsy; 
effective to avert loss of appetite and of flesh, and to prevent conditions that 
diminish egg laying; and effective to better the physical condition of the fowl.
The Stock Tonic was alleged to be misbranded in that certain statements in 
the labeling regarding its curative and therapeutic effects falsely and fraudu- 
lently represented that it was effective as. an ideal conditioner of cows, cattle, 
horses, mules, sheep, and hogs, as an aid to growth and fattening of cattle, to 
assist in recovery by cattle from a run-down condition, as a general tonic for 
milk herd, as an aid to greater pork, beef, mutton, wool, and milk production 
and better work stock, as an appetizer and digestive aid, as a general tonic 
for horses and mules that are out of condition and "off-feed," to influence the 
nervous system, stimulate the breathing centers, improve appetite and digestion, 
increase the flow of digestive juices; effective as an aid to more complete 
assimilation of the nutritious essentials in feeds; effective to attain maximum 
gains and benefits when used in accordance with directions and for the periods 
indicated, as a properly balanced tonic and conditioner for general stock use; 
effective as a general tonic and conditioner and as an aid in the growth, fatten- 
ing, and recovering of cattle from a poor condition; and effective to fatten hogs.
The Bag Salve was alleged to be misbranded in that certain statements in the 
labeling falsely and fraudulently represented that the article was effective as a 
treatment of caked bag, noncontagious garget, and swollen quarters affecting 
cows.
The Red Liniment was alleged to be misbranded in that certain statements 
in the labeling falsely and fraudulently represented that it was effective in 
the treatment of casual swellings from congestion affecting the human body, 
and the bodies of domestic animals and poultry; effective in the treatment of 
earache, ordinary swellings from congestion, colic, bloat, dislocation, inflam- 
mation from simple casual irritations, pain in chest from simple cold or 
simple throat cold, toothache, cramps when due to gas, casual swellings from 
congestion, superficial burns and scalds affecting human beings, horses, cattle, 
sheep, hogs, poultry, and other animals, simple cold in horses, cattle, hogs, and 
sheep, and garget or inflammation of the udder in cows; and effective in the 
treatment of simple colds and colic either in man or horses, colts, cattle, calves, 
hogs, pigs, sheep, lambs, and poultry when due to gas. The Red Liniment 
was alleged to be misbranded further in that the bottle label bore directions 
for internal doses of the article in the treatment of diseases of man and other 
animals, which directions were false and misleading in that they implied that 
the article could be used without danger or risk; whereas it contained carbitol, 
i. e., ethyl ether of diethylene glycol, a derivative of diethylene glycol, which 
is a toxic substance that cannot be taken into the system without risk of 
causing illness of a serious nature.
On January 24, 1939, a plea of nolo contendere was entered on behalf of the 
defendant and the court imposed a fine of $65.
HABRY L. BROWN, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.