Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-12-07
Is Alum POisOnOuss

DIR. Halls Journal of Health, in q
recent issue, sa;s.
''This question has caused good
deal of discussion. Alum is used by
many bakers to whiten their bread,
enabling them to use an inferior
flour. 1t is more extensively en-
ployed as q cheap substitute for
cream of tartar in the manufacture
of baking powders. II has not been
considered Immediately angerous;
although if continued it induces dys-
pepsia and obstinate constipation.
But the fact that many cases of pois-
oning have occurred from baking
powders which contained alum, puts
the question in more serious
aspect, and prudentpeople will exer-
else caution in the selection of
baking powders.
"Under what conditions, then,
does this. substance formerly used
only for mechanical or medical pur-
poses-become poisonous They
are certainly obscure, and at present
we can only surmise what they may
be. We suspect that the cause ex,
lists in the individual poisoned; some
popularity of the constitution pro-
ducing morbid change in the secre-
tions of the stomach, with which the
alum combines and forms an active
poison; or the secretions may be
healthy but in unusual proportions,
and that these less or greater pro-
portions, in combination with the
alum, constitute poison.
"For example, two parts of mer>
curry aad two parts of chlorine form
calomel, which is not poisonous; but
change the proportions to one part
of mercury and two parts of chlo-
rine, and we get corrosive sublime,
which is deadly poison.
"Then, again, we know nothing of
the causes of constitutional peculi-
arities. Why is it that one person
can eat all kinds of green fruits and
vegetables with impunity, while the
same course might cost another in
dividual his life? One person can
handle poison ivy and sumac without
being in the least affected; another
is poisoned if he approaches to with>
in ten feet of them. Out of family
residing in a malarial district, some
of the members will suffer half the
year with fever and ague, while the
others will enjoy excellent health
during the entire year. Foods that
are wholesome to some per.
sons 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
injurious, and often dangerous. Bak-
ing 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
manufacturers of the Royal Baking
Powder-who commenced and are
vigorously conducting the war
against the use of alum in baking
powders.
'Before committing ourselves,
however, we made tests of sufi-
cient numb of baking powders to
satisfy ourselves that the substitu>
ton of alum for cream of tartar In
their composition has not been over
estimated, while a careful examination
of the Royal Baking Powders con>
firms our belief that Dr. Mott, the
Government Chemist, when he sim
gled out and commended this pow
der for its wholesomeness, did it
wholly in the interests of the public
"We do not hesitate to say that
the Royal Baking Powder people de-
serve the gratitude OF the communi-
ty whom they are endeavoring to
protect.
"Will not some prominent manu~
facturer of pure Candies follow..their
example, and expose the secrets of
business that is doing untold mis-
chief to little childrens"