Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1879-03-06
Adulterated Food.


oped Societies for the prevention
Of cruelty to animals, and in
some few instances similar or
CARNATIONS to prevent cruelty to
the juvenile members Of the hui
man family, but as against some
Of the most fearful dangers that
besct mankind in this country
there is comparatively no protec-
ton. The use Of deadly poisons
in the manufacture of domestic
articles and clothing, and the a.
dulteration Of staple articles Of
diet, If we are to credit oneshalf
that is alleged by chemists and
scientists, where nothing but or
ganized associations and stlin-
GENT Legislation viii save the A
lneriean people from the most
direfhl consequences. In a gen
eral way we have heretofore call
ed attention to these evils. At
this time some facts will be re-
produced which were stated at a
recent meeting Of the American
Social Science Association at
Baltimore, confirming ourselves to
the adulteration Of food and
drinks,
1t is Broadly stated by an en-
ine:it chemist of Massachusetts
that every article Of food now
sold in this country is more or
less adulterated, and that many
of these authorizations are ex-
trcmely poisonous. This asser-
ton is sustained by the Scien-
tific American and many analytA
ic chemists in our large cities.
a few cases in point: Cayenne
pepper is adulterated with red
lead, curry powder with red lead,
vinegar with sulphuric acid, ar
senic and corrosive sublimate.
1t is alleged that more than
half the vinegar in use in cities
is rank poison. An analysis of
twelve packages of pickles put
mp by twelve different wholesale
dealers, showed copper in ten of
them. Another chemist analyz-
ed sixteen packages and found
copper in all Of them. A large
portion of flavoring oils, syrups,
jellies, and pressed fruit contain
poisons. The authorizations of
Tea and coffee are too numerous
to be repeated here. \ patent
has recently been taken out for
mol ling chicory intothe form CT
coffee berries, and clay is now
nodded and favored with an es-
sence to initiate coffee. Cocoa
and chocolate are mixed into va
rieus mineral substances.
Many mills in the country, and
particularly in New England, are
engaged in grinding "white
stone" prepared for market, the
mercantile names Of which they
ere put, VIZ: soda grade, sugar
grade. Flour is also adulterated
with plaster of paris, bone dust,
sand, clay, chalk and other arti-
tles. Damaged grain also enters
largely into the lower grades Of
flour. Thousands of tons of
'"terra alba" OF white earth are
imported to mix with sugars,
confectionery and ether white
articles of diet. Physicians say
that these apparently neutral
substances tend to produce stone,
kidney complaints and various
diseases of the stomach. Over
seyenty-five per cent. Of ''terra
alba" has been found in what
was sold as cream of tartar for
cooking purposes. Baking pow
dcrs of our large manufactures
contain from thirty to seventy
per cent. Of terra alba"
The coloring matter of cOnfec-
tionerY often contains lead, mer-
curry, arsenic and copper, hence
the great slaughter of the inno-
cents, especially during and af-
ter the holidays.
We have endeavored to sum-
Marie the leading dangers at
tending the fearful increase of
this crime OF food adulteration,
but the half has not been told.
There are many other topics af-
fecting the safety of the public
as against the mercenary frauds
who coin a living by poisoning
their fellow men, that must be
reserved for a future article.
ga smile," says an inexpcri-
enced writer, "costs the giver
nothing, yet is beyond price 10