The Red Cloud chief., 1881-08-11
A~daitera;i,n OF Fools AMI Drinks.

The adultera.ion question is now fair
Is before the public mind. Some two
years since Mr.. Angel. of Boston. made
some very grave assertions before the
Social Science Association IS TO the ex-
tent of these adulterations. His method
was somewhat incxact and his manner
that of n bold enthusiast. Neverthe-
less, he succeeded in doing that which
: the beginning OF most investigation
and a reform. fle excited controversy.
Eminent chemists. Is Morton and Mich
statements or doubted their accuracy;
but Boards of Trade were melted TO ac-
ton in the line OF honest inquiry.
Strong attempt was made 10 secure ac-
tive Governmental movement Mr..
ANGEL appeared before the Congress
sional Committee. and made very posi-
tive statements, which have been spread
broad cast overthe country. The Nation
al Board has made somewhat superficial
examination. and gives the opinion that,
while drugs are largely aduiterated. our
common foods are not; also that many
Of the adusterants are harmless 10
health. although frauds financially.
Some of the States. like New jersey,
have passed laws as To adulteration.
The New York Legislature has favor
ably reported a bill Of 4 similar X nd;
bat il has been chiefly exercised over
glucose and oleomargarine. Glucose,
although not harmful. is a great
fraud when compared with cane
sugar in nutritye value. Many OF
our sirups and some of our sugars
are largely glucose. Great quantities
Of honey are upon the market over
which the busy little bee never i'm
proved a shining hour. AS to oleomar-
garine, lis manufacture has become a
great industry. No doubt il can be
prepared so as 10 serve rs a substitute
for butter, both i'm cookery and in table
use. Ii used for the latter purpose, as
q very high temperature is not used IN
its manufacture. there is some danger
from the entOZoa. some Of which are
found in fats and are iransmissible I o
a There is no good reason why the
fats should not be subjected TO high tem-
peratures. 1t seem quite necessary
that some system of i~nspectorship
should be adopted which will insure
right methods Of manufacture. and the
marking OF packages so AS To distin-
guish from pure butter. In a late En-
glish trial the defendant pleaded that
the tub was marked .Bosh Butter on
one side. The Judge decided that
"Bosh" is an Americanism. not under
stood by Englishmen, and, therefore.
did not sufficiently define the oleomar-
garine. We hope there will be some
wise legislat on as to these two articles
before the trade becomes so enormous
as TO monopolize legislative influence.
As To less notorious authorizations. it is
TO be remembered that it is an inviting
field for the cupidity of men; that the
world is growing more artistic and
being furnished with more skilIful meth
DDS of combination; and that we are not
to expect radiance from such evils except
through rigidlaw and authorized watch
fulness. While harmless ingredients
are more naturally sought: yet, as i'm
the case of alum in bread, or acids in
baking-powdcrs, or colors for effect, the
mixer easily convinces himself that
small quantities will do no harm. The
National Board of Health recently CO.
operated with the New York Board of
Trade and with the prem um offer of
the sanitary engineer in forwarding n
form of law which was deemed expedi-
ent, rs not being overstrict or strin-
gent, on the one hand, or too lax, on the
other. No n a note the marked
decrease of adulteration which has
taken place in England. under a system
OF public analysis, without feeling that
much the Same course is desirable here.
The adulterants used and the articles
adulterated will from time to time
change; but the practice will continue,
unless thus guarded. Most of our
cites are SO satisfied OF the need as to
milk that special inspectors are APP
pointed. Their experience shows that
the reality OF the evil is not Overstated.
a report made last year by the New
York Inspector. and this veal by the
New Jersey Inspector, presents many
facts of Importance.
Cider vinegar is now entirely too
scarce an article, and doubtful acids
afiict the stomach. There are still
other directions, newer than these, in
which the attention of analysts is now
being directed.
The authorizations which occur TO
drugs are admitted by all to be of a
serious character. If from
sickness at all depends upon the use of
proper medicines, it is easy to see that
a RAID here may be attended with the
most serious consequences. We have
ourselves known two or three instances
in which life has been jeopardized or
lost because of the iueriness of a
preparation, and one of where convul-
sions were caused. The United States
inspection of drugs is of some service,
but not alone sufficient. Opium needs to
be carefully watched. Quinidia is often
sold for quinine. Bromide of potassium
has been substituted for the iodide.
Ipecac is often found adulterated.
Rhubarb in powder cannot be relied
upon without examination. Cream of
tartar. if needed for medical use. must
be carefully tested. Many of the less
conspicuous drugs have various forms
of Justification. The subject is one of
such grave importance that even those
who doubt the extent of food adultera-
tons insist upon a careful inspection
and testing OF the chief articles used as
medicines. W. hope that the United
States VIII pass some law that will
reach all of our foreign drugs. and that
we shall have more stringent regula-
tions as 10 domestic medicines. We
commend a careful attention to this
subject at this time, in order that
proper watchfulness and proper re-
straints may be securely. Y. hide
pendent.
RsaoI E.ou.1:,n n-~..