The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-12-06
II Alum Poisonous ?

Dr. Iiail'S Jo1rnW If HcQHt, in a re-
cent i~>uc, says:
"Thi, question has caused good deal
OF discussion. Alum is used 10y many
baker, 20 Whitcn their bread. enabling
them TO Use an inferior flour. Il is more
extensively employed rs a cheap SlsStitutc
for cream Of tartar in the manufacture OF
bakinc-pOwdcrs. II has not been consid-
cred Immediately dangerous; although ii
continued il induces dyspepsia and obsti-
nate CON, ipatiOn. But the fact that many
case, OF poisoning have occurred from
laking-pOWdcI, which contained alum
puts The question in q more serious aspect,
and prudent people win exercise caution
in the selection Of baking-powders.
Under what conditions, then, does this
formerly used only for me-
chanical or medicinal purposes-bec0mc
poisonous: They are certainly obscure,
and at present we can only surmlse what
they may De. We suspect that the cause
exist, in the individual poisoned. some pc
cu.iarity Of the constitution producing a
morbid change in The secrctions q the
stomach, with which the alum combines
and forms an active poison; or thc secie'
fou, may be healthy lut in unusual pro-
rorlion.. and that thc,cl less or greater pro-
nortion-. IN combination with the alum,
constitute poison.
For example. two parts OF mercury
and two parts of chlorine form caiontL
which is no. poisonous; hut change the
rrororiion. 10 one part OF mercury and
TWO parts If chlorine, and We get corrosive
.ulllmatc. which j. deadly poison.
"Thcn. again. we know nothing OF he
cauSc, of constitutional pcculiaritie>. why
i. II that one person can cat all kinds OF
ore.u fruit. and vegetable, with lmpunllN,
,xbTc fine same course might cost anothcF
individual his life : one person can hahIie
noi.ou wv and ,umac without being IN he
least affected: another is poisoned II ne
opnro2cbc. 10 within ten feet OF them. Out
II p family residing in a malaIlal district
ono of the members will suffer half the
vea1 with fever and aguc, while the others
win enjoy excellent health during the en-
hro wear. Foods that are Wholesome 10
some persons are actually poisonous 10
others. This is especially true ol some
kinds of fish. There j. no safety III taxing
olun into the stomach, as II Is SHOWN 10 "c
always injurious and often dangerous
Baking-pOwder> properly colhpouhu.u'
and containing pure cream OF tartar III
stead Of alum, are more convenient .i"n
ycast: and bread and pastry made WIN
them are lust as wholesome and lar more
,,aIatabie Wcarc i'm entire sympathy WIN
,be manufacturers OF the Royal BAKING
powder, who commenced ana are N'Soi-
ously conducting the war against inc u'e
of alum in baking-powderS' ,,,.o,.or
.sBefore committing ourselves, however;
,ye made tests OF a sufficient number on
hating-powders 10 satisfy ourselves tlla' inc
substitution OF alum for cream OF tartar ~
mir composition has not been everest nI-
mated. while a careful examination Oh inc nc,
Roval Baking-Powdcr confirms our noi.ti
hat Dr. Mott, the Government Gheil !,i
yben he singled out and commehucu I'M,
" wmyii for its wholesomeness, did II
Wholly in the interest Of the pubic; ,,o
1--WE do not hesitate TO say tliat NV. .i'c
povol Baking-Powder people deSerNe .iIo
i'rctitudr of the community, whom the! '"o
endeayoring TO protect. ,,oo,urer
Twin moi some prominent manuiac'ui "a
g purc candies follow their example anu anu
y, the secrets OF business thar !, 40
~ untold mischief to little children