Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-28

ton. there was great difficulty, aud apparently
great aversion to the swallowing of fluids.
The operations of his mind survived the power
of articulation, and until within two or three
hours Immediately preceding his death, his Judg-
ment was firm, clear and uninterrupted, except
during the existence Of. the most violent spasms,
and then only for second or two. The same
firm resolution, and ready acquiescence IN the
wishes Of his physicians and friends, which cha-
racterised him in health, distinguished HIM ~
every stage of the disease; and 1t was this char
acteristic, which he possessed in most remark
able degree, that enabled him, even to the iast'
to overcome the difficulty Of degutitlon and 20
swallow his medicine--for. strange as 1t may
seem, 'tis nevertheless fact, that, although ne
seemed conscious that the mere presentation OF
fluid would cause shrieks and violent spasms'
vet the persuasive entreaties OF his physicians
never failed to secdre1kfs anauiescence, and al
though he would turn aside for moment II
seemed TO be only to cab all his energies 10 his
assistance, when the vesseiss&ould he seized with
avidity, and the medicine rapidly sul phed dawn.
as though he found relief in the rapidity of h'- ac
ton. Several medical gentlemen saw hIm-ont
the treatment proving entirely unavailing, it IS
deemed unnecessary TO detail it. Suffice 1t to
say, that the most untiring assiduity and tender
anxiety were manifested by his physicians, IN
administering the promptest and most energetic
remedies, but all without effect.
Thus the disease steadily continued, not only
without abatement, but with an increased vlo-
ence and frequency of the spasms, till the even,
ing of the forty.eighth day, when nature, as II
tired of her struggle, without one agonlzing ef-
fort, yielded up the spirit, and sunk to rest.
The Boston Courier has the following article
on the subject Of :. bread:", 1t was but the 9TH
er day that the same paper urged US to eschew
eucumbers, and now it would seem that we are
to be persuaded to relinguish the very stall OF
life!
Bread --Sllnan's Journal has, among many SCI
entfc articles, paper on the various saline ma
terials used in aking bread II is the worst OF
treasons and conspiracies to poison man at his
own table-the very widest Arab would not do
it, so abhorrent is it to nature to inhict death
with the staff fife. Yet there are heavy suspi.
cions resting on the corporation Of bakers, and sit
will 90 nigh 10 be thought' that if they can pro-
duce loaf light and fair, they care little for the
digestion of the consumes. In Belgium and the
North of France, the men Of dough have mixed
with their other deleterious ingredients the sui
phate of copper. This, it seems, was begun in
seasons when the flower was Of a bad quality
with the -four they mixed pulverised beans. il not
saw dust, & consummated their atrocity by throw
ing in blue vitriol. This was to diminish the la
Dor Of kneading and to produce better looking
bread from the defective materials.
The whole operation is as horrid as the caul-
dron scene in Macbeth. The cudgel Of the law
should fall heavily on the shoulders of such mis-.
creants. 1t is too true. however, that in barba-
rous countries they administer the most complete
and immediate jnstice. In Turkey such bakers
would be lucky to escape roasting in their own
ovens. A quack there, who has killed a true be-
lever, is pounded to death in huge mortar; and
baker, whose loaves are less than the standard
weight, is nailed by his ear to post. similar
custom in some civilized countries would raise
the price Of nails.
The bakers very early found out the abuse Of
alum, and have used it for ages-t DISCUSSES the
quality of bad -four, so that Hour Of beans, peas &C.
can hardly be detected in that of wheat. Alum to
be sure does not kill SO fast as the sui hate of
copper-nevertheess it is not good for the sto.
mach. Chalk, pipe clay and plaster enter large
ly into the composition of loaf, but these are
tolerable. Good white pine sawdust also makes
saIeable loaf The effect of alum on "panii.
caton Is 10 make IL, as the oakerS say, lanu De-
hanged to them) swell large. 1t would hardly
be too great punishment for these offenders to
make them eat their own loaves.
Luckily there isa 5eady test that will detect
the presence Of the SUI pbate Of copper. Apply to
the bread drop Of pr,ls'iate of potash, and it
will produce rose color, even tho the sulphate
be only one part in nine thousand. The bread
therefore, will blush, although the baker has no
shame.
A.