The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-02-27

nyafate OF alumina is one Of the results.
Efhis bydrate of alumina sefzes on the or.
Iganie matter, for which It has powerful
tamnity. aud an imperceptible eoagulum is
formed, whichtends to the bottom and carries
with 1t the suspended clay. In this process
there is also guarantee Of hygienic purity.
IL Is surprising that such sInall quantity
as four grains Of alum will clear one gallon
OF our muddy riyer-water but ss this small
quantity requires about q day, it Is better to
use ten ernins of the powdered alum to the
gallon, aud the object will be accomplished
in few hours. -
| II 1t were necessary to add any great
quantity OF alum TO the water it would he
best to conduct the operation in earthen-
ware, but as the quantity employed is 10
such'sm proportion it's matter Of little
importance. The propriety of this remark
is shown in quotations from two distin.
guisbed chemists
"The taste Of alum is sweet and astriugent.
and its action decidedly acid, and 1t diSso!ves
metals, with evolution Of hydrogen, as
readily as free sulphurIc acid. p Graham.
'fThe solution OF alum has strongly acid
rejection, and dissolyes iron and zinc with
evolution of hydrogen" ."-Miller. ,@
In advocating the general use OF an article
of the materia medica its effect upon the
health Of the community ought to be con-
sidered. We wish to illustrate this subject
by a quotation from scientific publication
which ranks with the highest. Few men
speak WITH moro authority than William
Cracker, F.. r. S., editor Of the nen,tca!
Neeos. What is said about alum in bread
applies with equal force to alum in water
this being understood, that the proportion
OF alum necessary 10 clear water Is only half
as much as that required to make good
bread. On the subject of alum in bread, the
| Chemacat Ae,cs says I" 1t is unfortunate that
proceedings under the adulteration aci
snouia nave been taken in the matter of the
so'caled aoulteration Of flour and bread with
alum. In the first place, it is highly proba.
| BILE that this so-calIed adulteration Is q meri.
| torlous act, and that the inventor of il, de-
serves civic crown, as would be due TO
him who should increase the harvest eyery
year. Alum is added to flour and bread in
order that -four which otherwise would not
make good bread may be enabled to do so.
BY treatment with trace of alum, flour
OF doubtful soundness is endowed with
soundneSs. For this purpose a proportion
| of alum is required which does not exceed
| twenty grains TO four-pound loaf. The
ally dealt with !; and the people, and profes.
sional persons who ought to know better,
have attributed tanning of the stomach and
ruin of the digestion to these twenty grains
of alum in the four-pound loaf. Nothing is
easier than to show the unreasonableness OF
such notions.
1t is useful to call to mind that of the twenty
grains OF alum about half is water, and that
nf al
alumina in twenty grains Of alum."
We repeat that the addition of alum in
the proportion of ten grains of the pow
dered to the gallon is cheap, simple, health.
full, and perfect means Of clearing our river.
water when turbid. This plan is worthy
of being developed and subjected to rule,
kfor universal adoption in the city.
water agrees admirably with the public
health. 1t would be well to know what it
contains. It is surely time that it be sub
mitted to analysis. Every physician. and
therefore every citizen, is interested in the
subject. ... ...,..-.-...... ... ..: . ..
We conclude our communications on
"James River Water" with petition to the
City Council that 5000 be put at the COM
mand of the City Engineer with instruc-
tions to employ experts and report on the
following questions-v'z.: .....
W hat is the analysis Of Jamer River water
at the pHmp-house in its normal condition
/. e., when called clear? ..
What is the analysis Of James River water
during freshet?
What is the best proportion of alum (su'ph.
alumina and ammonis) to be used for clear
ing our river-water when turbid?
What is the analysis Of such water when
cleared with the best proportion of alum?
What is the analysis Of the deposit caused
BIZ the addition of alum as above?
PHARMACEUTIST.