Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-03-30
4 .-t For the Chresicis,
Fatal Results from using CalifOr-
mia Yeast In Beer and Bread.
Nesu,. Eston,- 6nd The following communi-
cation In a late number Of the Nashville 0asstts'


Hears, EDITORS ~ Hnd The following ccmmuni-
cation in late number Of the Nashville 0dssass
CALuFoRsiA BEsR.---wi,hiu the last few months
there has been introduced into our midst new and
rather strange article called Yeast. To a small por-
ton of which little moasses and water added !;
in or "a hours a most delicious beverage is pro-
duced. equal to the best cider; indeed when kept in
closely stopped bottles for "a hours II comes out
foaniing and sparkling like champagne The yeast
only does not require TO be renewed but actual
ly increases so rapidly that it has TO be removed
from the vessel.r-Ths surplus yeast makes as de-
icious rolls as ever smoked ON the breakfast
table.
win some one give us through the Gazette the
Iorgn Of this new article, and win not some of
chemists analize it and make public its properties.-
Is it innocuous? Does it possess any alcoholic pro-
perties2 ENQUIRER.
From.the above communication it appears that
the California Yeast which is extensively used in
this city and vicinity, has also been introduced into
Nashville. would say for the information Of EN-
qurero that the Yeast is obtained from plant that
grows in California, which the Haturslists have not
yet assigned to any botanical classification. The
Yeast is used by the Californians both in making
beer and bread. | have heard that many who have
used it. have been afflicted with blindness con-
sequence. | do not however, vouch for the relia-
bility of the report.
While on a visit to Nashville a few days ago,
had aeonversation with one of the most intelligent
and reliable physicians of that city, from whom
learned the following facts. The California Yeast
| is used by large number of families in Madison
County, Alabama, among whom a strange fatality
has recently prevailed. The disease is a swelling
of the stomach, and is accounted for by the physi-
clans, upon the supposition that particles of the
Yeast adhere to the stomach and being moistened
by the fluids in the system, they enlarge as in the
4 jar above described by enquirer" until they pro
duce suffocation and death ensues. did not learn
the number of deaths occasioned in this way, but
the fatality is sufficiently large to induce the public
to investigate the subject more thoroughly befor,
they indulge in the use of this Yeast too extensive
ly, merely because it is cheap convenient and pal
atabe. In these cases the physicians were not able
to apply any efectual remedy to stop the swelling
do not suppose that the Yeast is essentia
poison have known it to be used by grea
many persons without any i'll effect. But havt
no doubt that il is parastica in its nature and tina
animal heat does not destroy its vitality. person
might use it with safety ninety-nine times, but OF
trying the experiment the hundredth time parti
e Gle of the Yeast might adhere to the stomach an,
prove fatal. 1t is the law of its nature to enlarg
q and reproduce when in contact with fluid.
obeys this law in the human stomach as eifectuall
as it docs ia jar Of water.
i l offer this suggestion as answer to "Enquir
a ers" question "is it innocuous?' If the facts
have stated will serve to stimulate investigation in
to the nature and properties of this wonderful sub
a stance, l shall have accomplished the only object
, had in view in writing this communication. unt
something more definite is ascertaned, the people
out of regard for their own safety, should refrai
: from using ii. Yours truly
PHlLO.