The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1880-10-05
DEADLY DANGERS.
Is Alum Poisonous Pts Use in
Baking Powders Condemned
by Medical Journals.

Df. nan JOOrpa! 81 l1ealtD In a
recent issue says:
This question has caused a great
deal Of discussion. Alum Is used by
MANY bakers Ia whitcn their bread,
enabling them to Use an inferior -four
1t is more extensively employed as
cheap substitute for cream Of tartar in
the manufacture OF baking powders.
1t has not been considered immedia
Iely dangerous; although, If coDtiu-
ue,i il induces dyspepsia and obsti
hate constipation. But the tact that
many cases Of poisoning have occur
red iron baking powders which con-
tained alum, puts the question in
more serious aspect, and prudent peo-
pie will exercise caution 10 the selec-
ton Of baking powders.
Under what condition. then, does
this substance-formerly used only tor
mechanical or medical purposes-be-
come poisonous? They are certainly
and at presen, We can only
surmise what they may be. We sus-
pect that the cause exists in the indi-
vijual poisoned; some popularity OF
the constitution producing a morbid
change in the secretions Of the ston
sch, with which the alum combines
and forms an active poison or the Sc
cretions may be healthy but in unusual
proportions, and that these less or
greater proportions. in combination
with the alum, constitute poison.
For example, two parts OF the
mercury and two pasts of chlorine
from calomel. which is not poisonous !;
out change the proportions To one part
of mercury and two parts of chlorine,
and We get corrosive sublimate, which
is deadly Poison.
'Theu, again, We know nothing Of
the Causes Ut constitutional peculi,ri-
ties. Why is it that Que person can
eat all kinds of fruits and vegetables
with impunity. while the same course
might cost another individual his life
One person can handle poison ivy and
sumac without being in the least affect
ed /; another is poisoned if he approach
es to within ten feet of them. Out
of q family residing in a malarial dis
trict, some OF lis members will suffer
half the year with fever and ague,
while the others will enjoy excellent
health during the entire year. Foods
that are wholesale to some persons are
actually poisonous to others. This is
especially true OF some kinds Of fish.
There is no safety in taking alum to
tie stomach, rs it is shown TO be al.
ways injurious, and often dangerous.
Baking powders properly compounded
and containing pure cream OF tartar
instead Of alum, are more convenient
than yeast and bread and pastry
made with them are just as whole
some, and far more palatable. We
are in entire sympathy with the man
ufacturers Of the Royal Baking Pow
der-who commenced and are vigor-
ously conducting the war against the
use Of alum in baking powders.
Before committing ourselves. how
ever, We made tests Of q sufficient
number Of baking powders to satisfy
ourselves that the substitution of alum
for cream tartar in their composition
has not been Over-estimated while q
careful examination OF the Royal Ba-
king powder confirms our belief that
DR.. Mott. the government chemist,
when he singled out and commended
this powder for its wholesomeness, did
it wholly in the interests OF the public.
We do not hesitate to say that the
Royal Baking Powder people deserve
the gratitude of the community whom
they are endeavoring to protect.
Will not some prominent manufac-
turer Of pure candies follow their ex-
ample, and expose the secrets Of a
business that is doing untold mischief
to little children?