Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1872-07-03
Sugar and Salt, Pickles and Pep
pers.
bY W. A. #rrHERBEE, N. D.

lasses. honey. ETC., are very liable to
abuse; still they are very useful as por-
tion Of our daily food. on &C ,Ount of the
carbon which they contain, and which has
been termed the "fOOd of respiration"
On this account aged persons, and those
who habitually suffer from a feeling OF
cold. by reason Of q low temperature Of
the blood, require much more of the sac
eharine principle than the young or the
middle-aged. 1t is also considered good
remedy for those who are a.Hlcted with
lung aud throat complaints. Those who
are daily employed in the various branches
Of sugar refining, the manufacture of con-
fectionery, and its kindred branches, are
seldom attacked with consumption, and
are generally remarkable for the plump,
smooth appearance Of the flesh and skin.
Sugar, when in solution, and exposed TO
the oxydizipg influence of the atmosphere
or otherwise, first passes its yinous fer
mentation, by which alcohol is generated;
and afterwards, by further oxydization or
by the acetous fermentation, produces vim
cgar. or acetic acid, the qualities Of which
will hereafter be discussed.
The sources of sugar are very numer-
Gus, but the greater proportion in use is
derived from the sugar-cane, the beet-root
and the sap of the sugar maple. Molas-
ses is the liquid uncrystalizable portion
which is drained from the sugar, and on
account of its various impurities is some
times apt to cause bowel complaints, If
used in too great quantities. Besides these
sources, sugar may be obtained by chem
ical process from linen rags, paper, etc,
but of course this method is too expensive
SO be employed except as scientific cxper-
iments.
Salt preserves animal and vegetable
substances from decay through its strong
attraction for water, depriving them of
their greater PORTION, so that sufficient
duantly docs not remain to induce putre-
3 faction. Its use to the animal economy
is to furnish hvdrocloric acid an ingrodi-
ent in the gastric juice; also soda to the
bile. ... #-
But it is doubtless used amongus in too
great excess, for while its proper use is
to preserve from decay its action when
taken in excess in the system is to impair
digestion, and to produce an excess of its
/, elements, resulting in the disease known
. as scurvey.
The inhabitants af some Of the South
Sea Islands employ no salt in their food
j.. and salted fish is to them even more dis
z gusting and sickening than its entire alb
n sence in animal food is to us, thus prov
= ing that the habit of using it is only NJ
acquired one. Even among us, we fine
g persons who can never use it in any per
s ceptible quantity without symtons of vi
oent fever, which sometimes last for sew
il eral hours.
d Vinegar, or as it is termed IN chemica
L parlance, diluted acetic acid is one of th'
st most efficacious autidotes against the in
t. furious results Of the excessive use of salt
II lis direct action is to convert the sodium
of the salt into the acetate Of soda, thu
|; producing gentle alternative effect upol
s. the bowels, and cooling, anti-ferbile Ell
m feet upon the blood. When too strong
lc or when taken in too great quantities,
b. may produce an acid reaction in the sy'
lie TEN, or corodc the coats of the stomach
and therefore should be used, like all otl
n er condiments, in moderation.
Id Its usual adulteration is with sulphur
al acid, substance which, though it is o.
f. casionally useful as medicine, should NJ
lis be employed as general article of die
Id Acids of all kinds affect the digestive O
at gaus in various ways, though they do NJ
he directly contribute to the nourishment
he the system.
* Pickles may to acertain extent be nou
va ishing, since the vegetables Of which the
"e are composed frequently posses more
90 less nutriment, but they should be us'
ar- sparingy. The most dangerous adulte
alton Of pickles, especially when it is d
'es sirable to have them Of a bright green CT
''y or, verdigris, or other salts of copper, I
. of which are highly poisonous. Even VIII
Ter the vinegar is boiled in copper or bra
he vessel, it acts upon the metal, product
e." an acetate of copper, or verdigr
". " Glazed earthern ware is also improper
IN. holding vinegar. as the glozining is co
in. pound of lead, which is soluble in veg
in able acids, in which state it gives rise
ere colics and other dangerous symtoms.
'ae w AS au ant-scorbutic, or preventati
ex. and cure for scurvey, pickles should TO
a part Of all army and marine stores "a