The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-09-26
Ute Urib,l,,e.
ADULTERATIONS.

While it is very difficult and perhaps
t almost impossible, to detect the huel
kinds of authorizations in the case Of
| liquors, we are fortunately able to follow
the adulterater of the ordinary articles
OF food, and to detect his practices with
certainty. Add perfectly ordorless spir-
its to brandy, and although the adultera-
tion is notable and profitable, it is beyond
the reach of the chemists. Add chicory
to coffee and although the chemist fails
to point 1t out with certainty the mi
croscopist is not so easily baked. Be-
fore the searching power OF this wonder
tul tune. the secret operations of the
adulterator become as obvious as if per-
formed In full view; for the microscope
reveals to US the ultimate structure OF
the different vegetable and animal sub
stances, and as each has its own well
marked characteristics, it is easily recog-
nlzed by the expert as are the faces of
his friends by an ordinary observer. No
one who has ever seen potato starch
could readily mistake it for any thing
else; chicory and coffee are so unlike,
that the difference is instantly preceived
and the smallest addition of either one
to a sample of the other is readily de-
tected. So, too, in regard to many
sophistications of a purely chemical char
acter. Red lead added to vermillou, Is
easily separated sulphuric acid or oil OF
vitrlol, when used for the purpose of
increasing the strength of vinegar, is
readily recognized; sugar, when adul-
terated with sand, may easily be made
to give positive evidence of the presence
of the latter the coloring matter en-
ployed for the purpose of converting
worthless tea leaves into the"beSt" green
tea, may, without difficulty, be identified !;
and the mineral matter such as terra
alba, or farinaceous substances such as
wheat, corn or potato starch, used for
the purpose of increasing the bulk aud
of confectionery, may be determined.
There is a wide range of cases in which
authorizations may be detected with ease
and proved with certainty. Some of the
tricks of the willy idulterator show q
marvellous ingenuity. Thus some per-
sons, knowing that most ground coffee
is adulterated, never buy the ground
article, but always produce the whole
beans, which they grind themselves or
get ground. 10 meet this case, the ad
ulaterator makes up a pasle of ground
chlcory pea flour, and other cheap ma
terlals, and moldS 1t, by machinery, into
the form of beans These artificial beans
are rolled into barrel until smooth,
roasted to the proper color, and mixed
with a small proportion of genuine beans
to give them the true coffee flavor. Tie
fraud is Of course easily detected, as
such beans quickly fall to powder when
soaked in water but this example shows
the ingenuity and painstaking of the
fraudulent classes, who often spend in
efforts to cheat, an amount of labor and
ingenuity that, if devoted to some hon
est undertaking, would be certain to in
sure success. Any attempts to suppress
the practice of adulteration must be
based upon certainties of exposure and
punishment, How many children are
robbed of their due amount of Dutriment
by the vile practice of watering milk =?
How often is the physician disappointed
in the effects of the medicines that he
prescribes. simply from the fact that
these medicines are not pure, some dis
honest and avaricious druggist having
adulterated them with cheaper and less
potent materials, in order that he might
make little gain2
We feel satisfied that the practice Of ad-
liberation will never be completely and
permanently checked until the govern
ment takes the matter fairly In hand,
and enacts efficient laws looking to the
detection and punishment Of this crime.
j Exchange