18546. Misbranding of Dr. Lee'? rheumatic elixir. TJ. S. v. 3 Dozen Bottles 
of Dr. Lee's Rheumatic Elixir. Default decree of condemnation, 
forfeiture, and destruction. (F. & D. No. 26262. I. S. No. 29711. S. No. 
4409.)
Examination of a drug product, known as Dr. Lee's rheumatic elixir, from 
the shipment herein described having shown that the carton and bottle labels 
bore statements representing that the article -possessed curative and thera- 
peutic properties which it did not possess, the Secretary of Agriculture re- 
ported the matter to the United States attorney for the eastern district of 
Pennsylvania.
On April 25, 1931, the United States attorney filed in the district court of 
the United States for the district aforesaid a libel praying seizure and con- 
demnation of three dozen bottles of Dr. Lee's rheumatic elixir, remaining in 
the original unbroken packages at Easton, Pa., consigned by Brewer & Co. 
(Inc.), Worcester, Mass., alleging that the article had been shipped from 
Worcester, Mass., on or about February 16, 1931! and had been transported 
from the State of Massachusetts into the State of Pennsylvania, and charging 
misbranding in violation of the food and drugs act as amended.
Analysis of a sample of the article by this department showed that it con- 
sisted essentially of sodium salicylate (7.8 per cent), alcohol, sugar, flavoring 
material, and water.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the follow- 
ing statements regarding the curative or therapeutic effects of the said article, 
appearing on the carton and bottle labels, were false and fraudulent, since it 
contained no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of producing the 
effects claimed: (Carton) "Rheumatic Elixir * * * Useful in the treat- 
ment of Gout, Lumbago, Kidney Ailments of certain kinds and Inflammation of 
the Joints * * * Rheumatic Elixir. A preparation for people afflicted with 
Acute, Chronic, Inflammatory or Sciatic Pains and Gout;" (bottle) "Rheumatic 
Elixir * * * For people afflicted with such ailments as Acute, Chronic, In- 
flammatory or Sciatic Pains, Rheumatic Pains, Gout, Lumbago and Inflamma- 
tion of the Joints."
On May 22, 1931, no claimant having appeared for the property, judgment of 
condemnation and forfeiture was entered, and it was ordered by the court that 
the product be destroyed by the United States marshal.
ABTHUE M. HYDE, Secretary of Agriculture.