3298. Misbranding of mineral water.   U, S. v. 15 Cases, etc   (F. D. C. No. 29714.
Sample No. 3051-K.)
LIBEL FILED:   August 28,1950, District of Columbia.
PBODXTCT:   15.cases, each containing;i dozen 1-pint bottles, of mineral-water in
interstate commerce in the District of Columbia in the possessipn of R. & S.
Nutrients, Inc., together with 38 packages, each containing.240 booklets en-.
titled "Mineral Water from the Mile Deep Maple Well   J. L. Rogers, D. C,
N. D.   Price25tf."
Examination indicated that the produet consisted of a solution of calcium
chloride, magnesium chloride, :sodium chloride and small proportions of other
mineral salts, including potassium, iron, and iodine compounds that possess
a negligible radio-activity.
LABEL, HT PABT : "Mile Deep Natural Mineral Water from Maple, Ontario."
NATURE OF CHAIKJE: Misbranding, Section 502 (a) certain statements in the
booklet were false and misleading since the article would not accomplish
the results stated and implied. The statements represented and suggested
that a spoonful daily of the article would provide the user with good health;
that the article was effective for sores on the face and body; that its calcium
chloride content would enable it to produce red blood, and that its magnesium
content would act as a cleansing agent; that many major diseases are caused
by deposits of inorganic minerals in the body (joints, blood vessels, etc.), and
that the article would put such minerals to work for health; that the article
would prevent stiffening and excess depositing of minerals in the tissues, thus
. preventing or relieving arthritis, high blood pressure, or other ailments; that
it would render water-soluble deposited or crystallized minerals and metals in
and on the tissues, making these more flexible; that it would cause the body
to assimilate minerals deposited in or on the tissues; that it would dissolve
and remove tissue waste, the principle cause of sickness, and thus benefit the
sick; that it would prevent trace elements ingested in larger quantities than
the body can use from causing poor health as a result of metal or mineral
poisoning; that it was a wonderful aid to arthritic patients by reason of its
ability to break down excessive calcium deposits in the joints; that it would
move poisons in the body; that it would remove cholesterol, the cause of high
blood pressure, gallstones, and scores of other ailments, keeping it in solu-
tion ; that it would restore health and provide the necessary elements for, the
structure and vitality of the organs; that every disease is due to a lack of
one or more inorganic salts, and that health and strength could be main-
tained by supplying these salts through the medium of the article; that the
article was capable of healing all diseases which are curable to all; that it
would be effective in curing long-standing chronic diseases brought on by
over-dosing, excessive use of quinine, mercury, etc.; that it would remedy the
chronic forms of nervous debility, rheumatism, asthma, anemia, diabetes,
goiter, organic heart disease, neuralgia, paralysis, varicose veins, catarrh, and
dropsy; that by reason of its content of sulfate of calcium, the article would
act as a preventive of cell disintegration and suppuration and would be effec-
tive in the third state of all suppurative processes, including catarrhs, lung
troubles, boils, carbuncles, ulcers, abscesses, pimples and pustules of the face,
and all cases of true suppuration; that by reason of its chloride of potash
content, it was indicated in glandular swelling, discharges or expectoration
of a thick, white, fibrous consistency, white or gray exudations, and was ex-
cellent in catarrhal conditions with those symptoms; that it was effective in
croup, diphtheria, dysentery, and pneumonia, and in the control of plastic
exudation; that by reason of its chloride of soda content, it would act on
the blood, liver, spleen, and every mucous membrane of the body; that it was
indicated in headache, toothache, face-ache, stomachache, vomiting of water
and mucus, catarrhal affections of mucous membranes, with secretion of trans-
parent, frothy, watery mucus, small, watery blisters or blebs on the skin,
diarrhea, slimy, transparent stools, inflammation of the eyes, leucorrhea, and
for washing drugs from the system; that by reason of its silica content, the
article would ripen abscesses and would promote suppuration; that it would
cure chronic, gouty rheumatic affections and restore suppressed foot-sweats,
thus indirectly remedying diseases resulting from suppression of foot-sweat,
such as amblyopia, cataract, paralysis, etc.; that it would prevent atrophy;
that it would favorably affect the central and peripheral nervous systems, as
in languor, sleepiness, anxious dreams, nervous irritability, depression, head-
aches, trembling, and paretic symptoms; that by reason of its chlorine con-
tent, the article would aid in the regulation and stimulation of muscular
action; that by reason of its magnesium content, it would favorably affect
muscular activity, nerve stability, and bone structure, and would have a laxa-
tive effect; that by reason of its sodium content, it would maintain nor-
mal heart action; that it would prevent rapid disintegration of cell tissues;
that by reason of its radium content, it would have a beneficial effect; that it
would render one free from all symptoms of rheumatism; that it was a remedy
for diabetes mellitus, holding out a reasonable hope that where the pancreatic
gland is not too much destroyed, it would restore the gland to its normal
function; that there was reason to believe that it would be decidedly helpful
in tuberculosis; that it would cure high blood pressure and produce excellent
results in severe cases of laryngitis accompanied by an ulcerated mouth; that
it would remedy unbearable pain in the legs and eure pyorrhea; that if used
as a rinse for the mouths of children, it would decrease their aches and pains
and ill health caused by pyorrhea; that it would relieve external itching of
seven years' duration; that it would give quick recovery from an alcoholic
"binge"; that is would cut short the common cold, la grippe, and bronchitis;
that it would produce a healthy pink color in the face; that it would cause
response from disease conditions in cases of all sorts where no response had
resulted from the usual medical and hospital treatment, various diets, and/or
drugless treatment; that the article would cause remarkable recovery from
hives of long standing, high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers of the stomach,
arthritis, leg pains, kidney and bladder trouble, loss of appetite, etc.; that it
was more effective in getting the average patient back towards health than
the vitamins; that it was beneficial when applied externally for ulcers; that
it would supply salts not obtainable in food because of depleted soils and
cooking; that it would cure duodenal and pyloric ulcers, kidney and bladder
troubles, diabetes, arthritis, and rheumatism; that it would enable the diabetic
to abandon the use of insulin; that it would relieve gastric ulcers and render
the sufferer stronger and more buoyant; that it would supply energy and pep;
that it would make one feel like one of half his age; that it would remedy a
weakened condition and dizzy spells and enable one to sleep; that it would
?correct nervous stomach and shorten the course of the grippe and the "grippy"
cold and "achy" feelings accompanying that condition; and that it would pre-
vent the loss of sense of smell and taste during a cold.
DISPOSITION : September 27, 1950. R. & S. Nutrients, Inc., Washington, D. C,
claimant, having admitted the allegations of the libel, judgment of condemna-
tion was entered and the court ordered that the booklets be destroyed and that
the product be released under bond to be brought into compliance with the
law, under the supervision of the Federal Security Agency. The booklets
were destroyed, and the bottles were relabeled.