The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-04-01
PUBLIC CAUTION.
a Cautionary Circular to the Grangers
of the United States.
Massachusetts Ploughman.


held at their headquarters in Bos-
ton, June 20, 1878, it WAS unani-
mously voted that the Master of the
Massachusetts State Grange be re-
quested to send the following eau
tionary circular to the local Oranges
of Massachusetts and to the State
Oranges OF the United States:
BRoTnERs--We think it our duty
to caution Changers against the
increasing sale of poisonous articles
in our markets.
Arsenic is now sold at wholesale
at about five cents pound.
There has been imported into
this country in single year, two
millions three hundred and twenty
seven thousand seven hundred and
forty two pounds. A single pound
contains u fatal dose for about
twenty-ei hundred adult per-
sons. What becomes of it?
We answer, q considerable por>
ton goes into our wall papers,
figured and plain, glazed and un-
glazed; the cheapest as well as the
more expensive. It is found in
white, blue, red, yellow, green and
other colors. The pale colors fire.
quently contain moro than the most
brilliant
The editor of q leading Boston
paper has recently stated that about
eighty five per cent. of all wall
papers now manufactured contain
arsenic, and advises his readers to
abandon their use, and paint their
walls. The Boston Journal Of
chemistry states that the manu-.
facturo of these papers is increasing.
Arsenic is. also used in tickets,
paper curtains, covers of boxes,
papers containing confectionery, and
other pupers.
Arsenic and other poisons are
also now used in the coloring mat
Ter of ladies dresses; gentlemen's 3
under clothing, socks, hat Innings,
Innings Of boots and shoes. They
arc found in woolens, silks, cottons
and leather.
Professor Nichols, of the Massa-
clusetts Institute Of Technology,
found eight grains Of arsenic in each
square foot Of a dress.
Another of our chemists found
ten grains of arsenic in q single
artificial flower.
A child recently died in Troy, N.
Y, by taking arsenic from veil
thrown over its crib to keep off the
flies.
The Boston Journal Of Chemis-
try states that they are now putting
arsenic into toilet powders used in
nurseries and by Indies, it being
cheaper than starch, of which they
were formerly made.
Many flavoring oils and syrups
contain poisons. 1t is we'll to avoid
them as far as possible.
Tea, coffee, cocoa and chocolate
are all liable to be adulterated and
to some extent with dangerous
articles.
1T is we'll to buy only of the best
and most experienced dealers.
Drugs are largely adultered. It
is we'll to buy only of the most cx>
perienced and reliable druggists
Sewing silks and threads are made
heavy with lead, and poison those
who use them.
Thousands of barrels of "terra
alba or while earth, are every year
mixed in various forms with our
sugars and other white substances
It's use tends to produce stone,
kidney complaints, md various dis
eases Of the stomach. A large part
; Of our cream of tartar used in cook,
ing contains fifty per cent. or moro
of "terra alba"
1t is also used extensively in con-
fectionery.
Mills in various parts of the
country are now grinding white
stone into fine powder. 1t is
stated that they grind at some Of
these mills three grades, soda grade,
sugar grade and flour grade.
We think it would be paying
Investment for the Grangers OF each
State to employ competent chom.
ist to detect and publish adultera-
tions, and then Withdraw all patrons
age from those who manufacture or
sell such articles.
We think there is quite as much
need of organizations in all our
States to enforce laws for the pro-
lection Of public health, as thore is
for organizations to catch and pun
ish horse thieves.
In conclusion we cnn cnn0rntn