20587. Misbranding of O. K.Lax. U. S. v. 10 Dozen Packages of O. K.Lax. Default decree of condemnation, forfeiture, and destruction. (F. & D. no. 28434. Sample no. 6636-A.) Examination of the drug preparation O. K.Lax disclosed that the article contained no ingredient or combination of ingredients capable of producing certain curative and therapeutic effects claimed in the labeling. On June 27, 1932, the United States attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the District Court of the United States for the district aforesaid a libel praying seizure and condemnation of 10 dozen packages of O. K.Lax, remaining in the original packages at Wellston, Mo., alleging that the article had been shipped in interstate commerce on or about May 17, 1932, by the Live Food Products Co., from Hollywood, Calif., to Wellston, Mo., and charging misbrand- ing in violation of the Food and Drugs Act as amended. The article was labeled in part: " O. K.Lax by Paul C. Bragg * * * formerly Allan * * * O. K.Lax Mfg. Co." Analysis of a sample of the article by this Department showed that it con- sisted essentially of ground leaves, barks, roots, and fruits, including a laxative drug. It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the fol- lowing statements appearing in the labeling, regarding the curative and thera- peutic effects of the article, were false and fraudulent: " The Most Important Thing in the World. * * * Banishes Disease Nervousness, Catarrh, Asthma, Diabetes, and many other diseases are caused by a polluted blood stream, which gets its start in a filthy intestinal condition. O. K.Lax cleanses the intestines and thereby prevents these diseases. * * * The Perfect Cleanser * * * O. K.Lax gets down to the roots of constipation and tears it out. O. K.Lax * * * produces normal bowel elimination. You will enjoy renewed vigor and 'Pep,' and better general health, * * * Constipation Sufferers You Need This Great Book—Now—Learn the true secret of Perfect Health. Learn how to completely banish all disease, Nature's Way. * * * My amazing new book ' Cure Yourself,' explains in detail my unfailing system by which you can get rid of any ailment. * * * an intestinal cleanser. * * * ' The Most Important Thing in the World' By Paul C. Bragg Proper bowel elimination is the most important thing in the world, because it is the very foundation of Health, and without Health we cannot have any degree of happiness. We can go without food for weeks and without water for days, but unless we expel from our bodies the waste from foods we have eaten, our whole system is poisoned with this foul residue, and serious consequences result. If we did not get rid of the waste and filth of a city it would not be long before the population would be poisoned and disabled by the city's dirt. So it is with the dirt and refuse of the human body. We must move this waste out. If it is retained the intestines become a poison factory within our own bodies and form the breeding ground for disease. Constipation is the dread, insidious factor behind at least 99% of the ills to which the body is heir. Many are of the opinion that one good bowel movement a day is enough to keep the body healthy and clean internally. This is an erroneous idea. Only one bowel evacu- ation a day is unnatural and unless you are having at least two or three move- ments a day you are due for trouble sooner or later, the direct result of internal uncleanliness. If we were living natural lives, moving, romping and actively using our muscles in the open, and eating foods in their natural state, the vegetables, fruits, grains and nuts, we would be strong and healthy like the animals in the forest. We would have three and four or more bowel elimina- tions daily, and maintain the blood stream sweet and pure. Because of the refined, soft, mushy devitalized foods of civilization and the inactive lives we lead, it is necessary to assist Nature to cleanse the accumulations of hardened filth which cake on the side of the intestinal walls. We must help Nature rid our system of the fermenting food waste and putrid mucus which poison our blood stream and are the direct cause of many chronic diseases. * * * I used to go four or five days without a movement. Now I have several com- plete natural bowel movements every day. * * * Nature's Real Medicine is Food. Thousands of dollars are spent annually by the American people for laxatives, purgatives, mineral waters, and cathartics, in a vain effort to cure themselves of that tragic disease, Constipation. Thousands more are spent for enemas, oils, bran, agar, and many specially prepared foods. But to the sorrow of many, these artificial aids are injurious and habit forming; they cause irritation and inflammation of the intestinal tract, and weaken its normal functions. The Perfect Corrective * * * Become Your Normal Self O.K.- Lax * * * will cleanse your intestinal walls of the sticky, putrefying filth which has given you that tired, dragged-down feeling. It will be a great aid in normalizing your weight. * * * O. K.Lax goes down into the intestinal tract and scrapes off the vile poisons that are producing disgusting offensive breath and slimy tongue. No longer will your blood absorb internal dirt, when O. K.Lax is part of your program of Health. O. K.Lax is truly a ' Miracle Substance.' My Constipation has completely banished. * * * After using O. K.Lax for one week I find I have on the average of two to three normal bowel movements daily. * * * Since using O. K.Lax I suffer no more from * * * bad health, bowel sluggishness and thinness." On February 15, 1933, no claimant having appeared for the property, judg- ment of condemnation and forfeiture was entered, and itjvas ordered by the court that the product be destroyed by the United States marshal. R. G. TUGWELL, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.