taminated so-called cancer serum administered to patients in Detroit was prevented recently through the cooperation of Federal, State, and local authorities, and the press.

A reporter for a major Detroit newspaper informed the District that a citizen was concerned about a relative who was receiving the Hett Cancer Serum.

District investigation showed that the person periodically visited the office of Dr. Norman C. Hamilton in Detroit, where a nurse administered the serum. The District obtained samples of the serum for analysis. These showed high bacterial counts, pseudomonas, proteus, and streptococci. Also, it was found the product was not shipped in interstate commerce, which precluded FDA jurisdiction. Since the serum appeared to be produced in Canada and brought across the border without declaration by an individual, the District informed the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulation, which took over the investigation in cooperation with the Detroit Police Department and the U.S. Customs Service. A preliminary injunction then was filed by the State against Dr. Hamilton and his nurse, Bee Hewson, to prevent distribution of the serum. Mrs. Hewson is a grandniece of the late Dr. John E. Hett of Tecumseh, Ontario, who allegedly developed the serum.

The Food and Drug Directorate of Canada was informed of the case and now is investigating it. In 1967 the Directorate seized a supply of the cancer serum at the Hett Cancer Clinic in Tecumseh, following an investigation by the Detroit District of the death of a patient in Toledo, Ohio, who was taking the Hett Serum.

KANSAS CITY DISTRICT A recent Iowa State Court action against an egg processor was brought to a successful conclusion following testimony for the State by a District Inspector.

During a Saturday inspection of the Iowa egg processor's premises, made without advance notice, the inspector found evidence indicating the firm had been buying eggs invoiced for animal feed and processing them into frozen whole eggs for human consumption.

The FDA Inspector notified State officials that the processor had one truckload of eggs on hand. A State Inspector condemned the eggs and supervised their destruction. He also placed a hold order on 1,000 30-pound cans of frozen eggs in the firm's freezer. Several days later the processing plant was destroyed by fire, but the embargoed eggs escaped damage.

Iowa officials subsequently brought the matter to court and the firm was found guilty on two counts: possessing and holding for sale undenatured, unfit eggs, and transportation of eggs in an insanitary vehicle. The District Inspector's testimony was a primary basis for the State's successful prosecution.

LOS ANGELES DISTRICT Salmonella contamination of dried torula yeast resulted in seizure of 7,700

pounds of the product in a Los Angeles warehouse. The yeast had been shipped to Los Angeles by Lake States Division of St. Regis Paper Co., Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

A shortage in the vitamin D content of margarine. brought seizure of 136 cases of the product and a voluntary recall from retail shelves. The margarine, manufactured by Wilsey-Bennett Co., Los Angeles, had a lower vitamin D content than was declared on the label.

MINNEAPOLIS DISTRICT Regulatory work is continuing by Minneapolis District to obtain compliance from all firms involved in procurement or interstate shipment of pesticide-contaminated fish.

In view of the seizure actions early in 1969 against Lake Michigan coho salmon containing high pesticide residues, the District has been sampling numerous lots of fresh and smoked chubs from that area. Examination disclosed that nearly all lots contained residues of DDT (and analogs) considerably above the 5 parts per million interim tolerance established in April 1969. Some DDT residues in the fish have approached 9 p.p.m., and dieldrin residues have been as high as 0.2 p.p.m. The District has sent warning letters to all firms responsible. One shipper has received a notice of hearing. The shipper from whom an interstate shipment of 4,900 pounds of fresh chubs was seized voluntarily destroyed another lot consisting of 600 pounds of fresh chubs.

NEW YORK DISTRICT Recent interchange of information among State, Federal, and city officials brought actions that effectively prevented filth-contaminated dried mushrooms from reaching consumers.

The Florida Department of Agriculture informed FDA's Atlanta District its laboratory had found adulteration in samples of dried mushrooms shipped to Florida by a New York City importer and a New York City repacker. Adulteration consisted of rat hairs, insects, and mold. The State of Florida ordered embargo of the filthy mushrooms throughout the State.

Atlanta District then notified New York District, and a District representative was sent to visit the importer and the repacker to obtain samples and information about distribution of the mushrooms. FDA analysis of the samples confirmed the presence of filth, and all agencies in areas where distribution took place were notified of the problem.

One of the agencies notified was the Bureau of Foods and Drugs, Department of Health, New York City, which embargoed the mushrooms held by the importer and six of his consignees. This embargo was eventually terminated by condemnation of the mushrooms.

PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT As the outcome of a complaint to FDA, a Pennsylvania toy importer and distributor recalled flammable stuffed toy dogs from the market shortly before Christmas.

A Washington, D.C., fire marshal complained to the

District that stuffed toy dogs distributed nationwide by Avlon, Inc., Stroudsburg, appeared to be flammable. When the District contacted the firm, it was found to be distributing a variety of stuffed toy animals imported from Japan.

Several of the lots were sampled and it was determined that two varieties of toy "Yorkie" dogs were flammable within the definition of the regulations under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. As a result of the testing by FDA and the firm, the toy dogs were recalled voluntarily by the firm, which attempted unsuccessfully to fireproof the toys. Whereupon the entire shipment was scheduled to be returned to the manufacturer in Japan.

SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT "Good Manufacturing Practices in the Food Industry" was the theme of two half-day workshops held December 2 and 3 in Stockton and San Jose, California. The workshops were sponsored by the District in cooperation with the Canners League of California, National Canners AssociationWestern Research Laboratory in Berkeley, Western Division of the National Association of Frozen Food Packers, and California Olive Association. Approximately 200 persons attended at each location. To give managers from its Hawaiian plants an opportunity to attend the San Jose workshop, one large canning corporation rescheduled a meeting of its plant managers. Following the two District-sponsored workshops, a third on the same theme was presented in Los Angeles December 4 by San Francisco and Los Angeles Districts jointly. San Francisco District Director McKay McKinnon, Jr., spoke to 250 members of the Northern Cali

fornia Section of the Institute of Food Technology. His subject: "What's Going On in FDA."

SEATTLE DISTRICT Pasteurized egg yolk solids and doughnut flour mixes were recalled recently because of Salmonella contamination. The egg yolk solids had been shipped to Seattle by a manufacturer in Marionville, Missouri. After District inspection revealed the contamination, the firm voluntarily recalled available drums of the product in the lot remaining. But prior to the completion of laboratory analysis by FDA, the drums. from which samples had been collected had been distributed to a Seattle manufacturer who used the product in 307,250 pounds of various dry doughnut flour mixes. When advised that the yolk solids had been found contaminated with Salmonella, the mix manufacturer immediately placed a hold on the 165,480 pounds remaining in its warehouse, and initiated a voluntary recall of its distribution of doughnut mixes.

POISON CONTROL

As the table illustrates, more than half of the reported ingestions of cleaning and polishing agents, cosmetics, petroleum products, and pesticides occurred in the two-and-under age group. If we think about it, these are the products stored under the kitchen sink or on the floor, or left on low-lying pieces of furniture, such as coffee and dressing tables-areas accessible to a child who is crawling or just beginning to walk. As his mobility increases, relatively more places are accessible to him at age three and four than when he was two and younger. Therefore, if we know the extent of his reach at any one stage of his growth, then we have a very real basis upon which we can attack the problem of poisoning. Poison Prevention Week is an ideal focal point for such an attack.

The observance which Congress authorized the President to designate annually during the third week in March was designed ". . . to aid in encouraging . to aid in encouraging the American people to learn of the dangers of accidental poisoning and to take such preventive measures as are warranted by the seriousness of the danger. . . . The National Clearinghouse for Poison Control

Centers, located in FDA's Office of Product Safety, serves as Secretariat for the Planning Council which sponsors Poison Prevention Week. Twenty-five national organizations-including professional groups, trade and industrial associations, service organizations, and Government agencies comprise the Council, which publishes and distributes program ideas and promotional materials. The latter include brochures, flyers, and pamphlets; films, slide talks, and public addresses; radio, television, and newspaper materials; official proclamations; banners, first aid charts, posters, and exhibit guides. A list of materials for poison prevention programs is available from the Secretary, National Planning Council for Poison Prevention Week, Box 1543, Washington, D.C. 20013.

The National Clearinghouse for Poison Control Centers, in addition to taking the leadership in preventive programs, also provides information to the 560 poison control centers throughout the country on toxicity of household substances and recommended treatment as an aid to physicians in reducing the severity of poisoning incidents when they do occur.

by 420 Centers in 43 States.

With this presentation of tabulated data and related information prepared by the Office of Product Safety's Division of Poison Control, FDA Papers begins a monthly series covering the activities of three OPS divisions. OPS works closely with industry, institutions, and other agencies of the Federal Government to protect the public against the hazards and potential hazards associated with consumer products.

The Division of Poison Control furnishes information to some 560 Poison Control Centers throughout the country on the toxicity and chemical composition of household products and the recommended treatment when these substances are ingested. The Division's preventive activities are featured in this issue, and future issues will present tabulations and related data concerning accidental poison ingestions reported by the poison control centers.

The Division of Safety Services, which develops programs intended to reduce the injury hazards of consumer products, will discuss its system of reporting and will provide analyses of injuries, products involved, and demographic and other background information. The report will, when indicated, include case histories as developed by its investigative teams located in Boston and Denver.

The Division of Hazardous Substances, which evaluates injury and toxicological data, develops precautionary labeling, and recommends the banning of certain hazardous substances under existing law, will present tabulations, case histories, and project developments associated with products subject to the Hazardous Substances Act.

Court Upholds Statute

A recent Virginia court case upheld the constitutionality of a section of the State's Pharmacy Code which classifies the advertising of discount prices for prescription drugs as "unprofessional conduct." The case involved Patterson Drug Company, doing business as Revco Drug Centers, which sued individual members of the Virginia State Board of Pharmacy and others, claiming that the statute in question (Section 54-426.01) was in violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States.

The three-judge panel of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia found that the statute represented a proper exercise of the police power of the State in prohibiting advertising of prescription drugs at discount rates, but indicated that the State Board of Pharmacy may not interpret the statute in such a manner as to fix prices.

At the 1969 convention of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, statutes and regulations prohibiting discount advertising of prescription drugs were discussed by William Tucker, Assistant Attorney General for the State of Colorado. Mr. Tucker filed a legal brief in the Virginia case defending the constitutionality of this section on behalf of the States of Colorado, Maryland, and North Dakota, each of whom had entered the case as "a friend of the Court."

Oregon Follows Lead Oregon will follow the lead of the Federal Government in restricting sale of food containing cyclamates. Kenneth Carl, chief of the Dairy and Consumer Services Division of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, noted that Oregon law gives the Department authority to prohibit the use of additives in foods at the State level. The State will use the same

the recent Food and Drug Administration ruling concerning cyclamates, the Michigan Department of Agriculture, through its Information and Education Division, started a consumer alert program. The Division used regularly scheduled television and radio programs to acquaint consumers with procedures being followed to assure compliance with the FDA ruling. Reports included details on food inspection sampling procedures and supportive chemical analysis done in the Department laboratory.

The Food Inspection Division also notified all soft drink bottlers, and canned food and comminuted meat plants about the ruling, and distributed timetables showing retail market withdrawal schedules for products containing cyclamates.

Hearings Held The Oregon State Department of Agriculture held two hearings November 14 to consider proposed regulations for the milk industry. In one hearing, regulations were proposed to define imitation milk and milk products and to set standards of identity and labeling requirements. The second hearing pertained to milkhouse and bulk tank standards for manufacturing grade milk.

Indiana Surveys Centers The Indiana Bureau of Food and Drugs, Hazardous Products Section, recently surveyed the Poison Information Centers located in the State and found that two hospitals are no longer interested in remaining in the program. This leaves 31 active centers in Indiana, including the center

maintained at the Hazardous Products Section, which serves as State coordinator of the program.

Committee Name Change In its November 24 bimonthly meeting, the Oregon Pesticide Policy Committee changed its name to the "Pesticide Review Board," in response to a recommendation by Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Secretary Robert Finch. Secretary Finch in releasing the recommendations of a Federal study commission on pesticides, had urged States to maintain their own "boards of experts" to work along with the Federal Government. The chairman of the renamed Board is Virgil Hiatt, Chief Chemist of the State Department of Agriculture. Mr. Hiatt said the Board is conducting a continuing review of pesticide use in Oregon.

Lab Method Course Updated Pursuing its policy of keeping chemists informed of the latest laboratory methods and practices, the Oregon Department of Agriculture sent laboratory chemist Alfred Cornwell to a 10-week course at FDA's Perrine, Florida, Primate Research Branch. The course provides information on the latest methods for detecting various pesticides and on positive identification of pesticides. The course also covers the physiological effects pesticides can have on humans and animals.

Methods of pesticide detection and identification taught in the course include thin layer and gas chromatography, with emphasis on microcoulometric detection; infrared spectrometry; and mass spectrometry. Students analyze their own blood to determine the amount of residues of certain pesticides and learn how to find residues in animal and human tissues and to identify the particular pesticide involved. Soil and water samples are also analyzed to show detection of pesticides in the environment.