The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-11-26

BY DIR. HALLS JOURNAL OF HEALTH.
DR.. Halls Journal Of Health, in recent
issue. says:
THE question has caused a good deal O.
discussion. Alum is used by many bakers
to whlten their bread enabling them to use
an interior flour. 1t is more extensively
employed as cheap substitute for cream
OF tartar in the manufacture of baking
powders. 1t has not been considered i'm
medlately dangerous; aithoughiif continued
1t induces dyspepsia and obstinate con-
| stlpatl0n. 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 powders.
Under what conditions, then, does this
substance-formerly used only for
mechanical or medicinal purposes be
come poisonous? They are certainly
obscure, and at present we can only sur
mise what they may be. We suspect that
the cause exists in the individual poison
ed; someE popularity of the constitution
producing morbid change in the secre-
tons of the stomach, with which the alum
combines and forms an active poison; or
the secretion may be healthy but 10 un-
greater proportion, in combination with
the alum, constitute poison.
For example, two parts of mercury
and two parts of chlorine from calomel,
which is not poisonous; but change the
proportions to one part of mercury and
two parts of chlorine, and we get corrosive
sublimate, which is a deadly poison
Then again, we know nothing Of the
causes of constitutional peculiarities.
w by is it that one person can eat all kinds
of green fruits and vegetables with i'm
punity, while the same course might cost
another individual his life? One person
can handle poison ivy and sumac without
being 10 the least affected; another is
poisoned if he approaches to with 10 feet
of them. Out OF a family residing in q
malarlal district. some of its members
will suffer half the year with fever ana
ague, while the others will enjoy excellent
health during the entire year. Foods
that arc wholesome 60 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, as it is shown to be always in
furious, and often dangerous. Baking
powders properly compou nded, and con-
tanning pure cream OF tartar instead of
alum, are more convenient than yeast;
and bread and pastry made with them are
just 2s wholesome. and far more palatable
We are in entire sympathy with the man
ufacturers CT the Royal Baking Powder
who commenced and are vigorously con-
Quoting the war against the use Of alum in
baking powders.
Before committing ourselves, however,
we made tests of a sufficient number of
baking powders to satisfy ourselves that
the substitution of alum for cream of tar
tar in their composition has not been over
while careful examination of
the Royal Baking Powder confirms our
belief that Dr. Mott, the government
chemist, when he singled out and com
nended this powder for It's wholesome
ness, did it wholly in he-interest of the
public.
I'VE do not hesitate to say that the
Royal Baking Powder people deserve the
gratitude of the community whom they are
endeavoriBg to protect.
w i'll not some prominent manufacturer
OF pure Candies follow their example, and
expose the secrets of business that is
doing untold mischief 20 little chIldren?"