Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1879-12-25
DEADLY DANGERS.



IT'S Use IN BAKING POWDERS CONDEMNED
BY HIGH MEDICAL AUTHORITY.
DR.. Halls JOURNAL Of Health. in recent
issue, says:
''fhis question has caused a good deal
of discussion. Alum Is used by many
bakers to whitcn their bread, enabling
them 10 use all inferior flour. 1t is more
extensively employed as cheap substitute
for cream Of tartar in the manufacture OF
baking powders. 1t has not been con-
sidered Immediately dangerous although
if continued it induces dyspepsia and OBJ
stinate constipation. But the fact that
many cases of poisoning have occurred
from baking powders which contained
alum, puts the question in more serious
aspect, and prudent people will exercise
caution in the selection of baking pow
ders.
''Under what conditions. then, does this
substance-formcrly used only for mechan-
zeal or medicinal purposes-become pOis-
onous: They are certainly obscure, and at
present we can only surmise what they
may be. We suspect that the cause exists
in the individual poisoned ; some peculiar
ity OF the constitution producing a morbid
change in the secretions OF the stomach,
with which the alum combines and forms
an active poison; or the secretions may
be healthy but in musua! proportions.
and that these less or greater proportions.
in combination with the alum. constitute Il
poison.
For example, two parts OF mercury
ami two parts Of chlorine form calomel.
which is not poisonous: but change the
to one part of mercury and
two parts of chlorine, and we get cOrrO-
sive sublimate, which is deadly poison.
Then. again, We know nothing of the
causes OF constitutional peculiarities. Why I
is it that one person can eat all kinds of
green fruits and vegetables witt, impunity. {
while the same course might cost another
individual his lite: One person can handle
poison ivy and s,,inac without being in the
least affected; another is poisoned if he :
approaches to within 10 feet vt them. Out
Of a family residing in malarial district, :
some of its members will suffer half the
year with fever and ague, while the Others
enjoy excellent health during the entire
year. Foods that are wholesome to some
persons are actually poisonous TO others.
This is especially true of some kinds of
fish. There is no safety in taking alum
into the stomach. us it is shown to be al
ways injurious, and often dangerous.
Baking powders properly compounded,
and containing pure cream of tartar in
stead of alum, are more convenient than
yeast; and bread and pastry made with
them are just as wholesome. and far more
palatable. We are in entire sympathy
with the manufacturers of the Royal Bak-
ng pOwder-who commenced and are Wig
orously conducting the war against the
use of alum in baking powders.
"Before committing ourselves. however,
We made tests Of Il sufficient number OF
baking powders to satisfy ourselves that
he sub stitution of alum for cream of tar
ar in their cOmpositian has not been over
while careful examination OF
he Royal Baking Powder confirms our
'elief that DR.. Mott, the Government
Jhemist. when he singled out and COM
nen.led this powder for its wholesome !
less, did it wholly in the interest of the :,
)ublic. =
I'VE do not hesitate to say that the 4
Royal Baking Powder people deserve the /"
'ratitude of the community whom they Il
re endeavoring to protect.
'Will not some prominent manufacturer \
f pure Candies follow their example, and .
xpose the secrets o! Il business that is do
lg untold mischief to little Children