The Ethics of Multiple Seizure. (American Journal of Pharmacy, November, x929.) " Multiple seizure " is the term applied by the authorities charged with enforcement of the Federal Food and Drug acts, by which samples of suspected products are purchased simultaneously at several points and suits brought promptly at each point. This, of course, involves much greater expense to the marketers of such products than if only one purchase should be made. Complaint has been made by some persons and some organizations about this practice and the authorities have deemed it advisable to publish some facts in regard to the matter. It is pointed out that in many cases if only a single sample is libeled, the docket of the court in that locality may be so overloaded that months may elapse before a trial can be had, thus embarrassing both prosecutor and defendant. In further defense of the practice, the department has set forth in detail the character of some of the articles that have been seized under this system, and it is shown that they represent a most appalling array of fraudulent claims. The number of cases of multiple seizure is not large. From July I, I924, to October I, I929, about two score instances are enumerated, some of which have not yet been brought to court decision.
A preparation composed mainly of Epsom salt in water with small amounts of other ingredients including iron, quinineand strychnine salts was colored red with a coal-tar dye and labeled as a blood builder, and blood purifier.
It was recommended for free use to very young infants.
A mixture, essentially phosphate, glycerol and water with a small amount of some vegetable extract, and colored with a red dye was represented as a remedy for higl-/blood pressure.
H.L.