The Danger Before Us

We have already alluded to the importance of housekeepers paying more attention to the kind of baking powder used in leavening their bread. This is a matter to which we cannot draw attention too often, because it is something which involves the most eerious consequences to the general body of mankind. Temperance apostles teil us - and there is ampie foundation for the statement- that there is disease, both moral and physical, in the intoxicating cup; and in the same way there is disease, slow, perhaps, but certain in the lime and alum leavening agents employed in many of the homes on this continent. No punishment is too severe for those manufacturers who place these poisonous alum and lime baking powders before the public with the assurance that they are pure and wholesnme nrtiploa In the belief of the truth of such statements such baking powders are largely used in the preparation of food and in this way the poisonous ingredients are taken into the system without a suspicion of their presence. By and by come spells of headache, distress in the stomach, loss of appetite, a fluttering of the heart ; the child is sei.ed with an apparently causeless cough. The coating of the stomach is destroyed, perhaps ; one of the vital organs is rendered almost useless; the kidneys are attacked with Bright's disease. The health of the child is irreparably broken down ; the adult becomes a chronic invalid. These are the doings of the modern cheap baking powders that are composed of lime and alum, or that contain sulphuric or phosphatic acids. In view of these facts surely all housewives should exercise the care that is, we know, now exercised by some in the selection of a proper brand of baking powder. Shewho does not do so, whether the neglect is the result of ignorance or recklessness, cannot free herself from the responsibility for the health, perhaps life, thereby endangered. No housewife need be ignorant of the quality and the composition of the article which she uses to leaven her bread, biscuit and cake. The official reporta of the government chemists, who are certainly unprejudiced, have been published and show very clearly the quality and strength of aïl the baking powders in the market. The Royal Baking Powder 'which is accessible at every hand, is reported absolutely free from lime, alum, phosphatic acid, or any injurious ingrediënt. It is further stated by the most eminent authorities on iooa nygiene that food leavened with it is more wholesome than when raised by any other metbod. lts use is therefore to be commended. It is to be regretted that no other baking powder, when there are so many in the market, some of which will flnd their way into use, is free from all these substances. The official analysts assure us, however, that all except the Royal contain either lime or alum. The housekeeper who regards the heaith of her loved ones should not only order the Royal, but make personal examination to be sure that no other brand is sent her in its place.