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Is Alum Poisonous?

Is Alum Poisonous? image
Parent Issue
Day
13
Month
July
Year
1883
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Dr. Hall's Journal of Health, in a recent issue, says : " Tli is question has caused a good deal of discussion. Alura is used by many bakers to wither their bread, tmubttnjr tbem to use an Inferior flour. It is more extensively employed as a cheap substitute for cream of tartar in the manufacture of baking povvders. It has not been considered immediately dangerous; although if continued it induces dyspepsia and obstinate constipation. But the fact that many cases of poisoning have occurred from baking powders which con1taiued alum, puts the question in a more serious aspect, and prudent people will exercise caution in;the selection of baking powders. " Under what conditions, then, does this substance - formerly used only for mechanical or medicinal purposes - become poisonons ? They are certainly obscure, and at present we can only surinise what they may be. We suspect that the cause existe in the individual poisoaed ; some pecularity of the constitution producing a morbid change in the secretions of the stomach, with which the alum combines and tonus an active poison ; or the secretions may be healthy but lo usual proporciona, and tluvt these leas or greater proportions, in combination witlT the alum co'istitutes a poison. " For example, two parts of mercury and two parts of chlorine froni calóme), which a not poisonous ; but change the proportions to oue part of mercurv and two parts ot chlorine, and we gct corroelve sublímate, wh'ifh is a deadly poi"Then,again, we know nothing of the causes of constitutional peculiaritirs. Why is it that onc person can eat all kinds of green fruits and vegetables with inpunity, whlle the same course might cost another individual his lile ? One person can handle ivy and sumac without being in the least aflected; another is poisoned if he approaches to withln ten feet of them. Out of a family rosidinr in a malarial district, somc of the membeis will suffer half the year with lever and ngue, whlle the otliers will enjov excellent healtli during the entire year. Foods that are wholesome to some persons are actually poisonous to otheis. This is especiallv fue of sonie kinds of fisli. There is no safety in taking alum Intotlie stomach, as it is shown to be aiways Illjurlou, and often daiijfcrou. Bttklnjl powdera propeiiy componnded, and coutfilDg pure cream of tartar instead of iluni. are more convenient tlian yeast; and bread and pastry made with them are just as wholesome, and far more pilntable. Wo are in entire sympathy with the manufacturera of the Koyal Baking Powder- who commeuced and ate vlgoronsly conduoting the war agüliut the use of alum in bakinjr powders. " Before coininittin ourselves. however, we made tests of a sufticient number of baking powders to satisfy ourselves that the substitution of alum for cream of tartar in their composition has not been over-estimated, while a carefu) examination of the Hoyal Baking Powder confirms our belief that Dr. Mott, the government chemist, when he singled out and commended this jiowder for its wholesoineness, dld it wliolly in the interests of the public. "We do not hesitate to say that the Royal Bakinfr Powder people deserve the gratitude of the community whom they are endeavoriu}; to protect. " Will not some prominent manufacturer of pure candies follow their example, and exposé the secrets of a business that is doing untold tuischief to little children ? ''

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Subjects
Ann Arbor Courier
Old News