The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-05-08
Artificial Fruit Essences.

The compound others which have
been found to possess the odor and
flavor of certain fruits are several in
number. r.. III - Eit.
Butyric Ether.-This-. ether may be
prepared by mixing butyric acid with
sulphurie aei1-foiI of vitriol) and al
cohol. The former acid may be made
by mixing decaying cheese with grape
sugar and chalk and allowing fermenta-
tior to take place. The ether is dis
solved in another portion of alcohol and
forms the pineapple essence.
Pelargonic ether. oenanthic ether, may
be prepared by digesting pelargonic
acid with alcohol at a gentle heat, The
acid is the result of the action of nitric
acid (aqua-fortis) on oil of rue. The
ether is dissolved in alcohol and forms
the ounce essence.
Acetate of alnylic ether is prepared
by distiIling a mixture of fusil oil, ace
tate of potash and concentrated sui
phuric acid. An alcoholic solution of
the ether forms the iargonelle pear
essence.
valerianate Of amylic ether may be
made by the action of sulphurie acid
and valerianic acid upon fusil oil, An
alcoholic solution of this ether forms
the apple essence.
A mixture of acetate of amylic ether
with butyric ether forms the banana es-
sence. Other mixtures of others. mod
fled by the addition of various agents,
as nitros ether, acetic acid, camphor,
tincture OF orris, vanilla, the volatile
oils, etc, result in limitations of other
fruits, the strawberry, raspberry, apri-
cot, currant, etc, etc.
Are these artificial fruit essences de-
leterious to health? A succinct answer
to this question cannot properly be
given. If taken into the stomach. in
considerable quantity, and in an undi-
luted form, the effect would, without
doubt, be not simply deleterious but
highly dangerous. But, in the form in
which they are presented in confection-
airy, etc., they are more or less diluted I;
the chance, therefore, OF harm follow
| ing their occasional use is greatly les
! sened. But even when Diluted, habit
ual indulgence in them, according to
| the opinion of scientific men, cannot
fail to be injurious to health And de
leterious results may follow their occa-
sional use, even when in the diluted
form this may happen in the case Of
adults, on account OF a peculiar idiosyn.
Grassy. And in all cases, probably
children are more susceptible to then
influence than adults. Children are
also more likely than adults to partakt
largely of confectionery, and a free in
diligence in articles of this kind, in
kseason of the. year when disorders o
the Intestinal canal are prevalent, ma
been known to bring on such disorders
or to aggravate them when existing. I
is, however, sometimes the case Etha
sufficient diIution of the havoring ethe
has. not been made, and alarming con
sequences have attended such careless
ness. The writer was informed by
distinguished chemist and physieial
that, within his personal knowledge
two children-one of. them. indeed, hi
own chiId--ygere seized, after drinkin
the liquid contained in hollow toy
candy-aRchor, with alarming sedativ
symptoms, requiring active medica
treatment. Enough of this liquid wa
secured TO prove that it was havore
with the artificial pineapple essence.
When these essences frst. came int
use, confectionery favored with Their
was exceedingly popular; but It wa
not long before it became 50 eviden
that INDULGENCE IN such confectionery
was attended with evil results, tha
caution was given in the newspapers q
the day. and the sale OF the fruit
drops" etc, greatly diminished DI
Hassell. in his . AdulteTaaions Detect
ed, " says. q Many articles Of sugar cor
fectionery are favored with ssesseBces
which are often of an injurious ana
even dangerous character, some Of thef
containing prussie acid and fusil OIL
II have heard. says Prot 4. S. Tas
Tor, d" that some Of the iargonelle pear
drops aud the ribsto- pippin-drop
have prodaeed Drove and stupo
in children. Is is an imposition on IN
ipublic 70 sell in tins way a chemical