, 1882-12-30
Is Alum Poisonous !

Dr. Halls Journat Of Health, IN Il re
cent issue, says
This question has caused good deal
Of discussi IN. Alum Is used by many
bakers to whiten their bread, enabling
them to uce an inferior -four Ii is more
extensively used as cheap substitute foe
cream Of tarter in the manufacture OF
baking powders. 1t has not been consid-
cred Immediately dangerous; although II
continued it induces dyspepsia and obsti-
nate constipation But the fact that
many cases of poisoning have occurred
from baking powders which contained al
um, puts the question in a more serious
aspect, and prudent people will exercise
caution in the selection Of baking pow
ders.
Under what conditions then, does this
substance formerly used only for me
chanical or medical purposes-become
poisonous They are certainly obscure,
and at present We can only surmise wha.
they may be. We suspect that the cause
exists in the individual poisoned; some
pecullarity of the constitution producing
a morbid change in the secretions of the
stomach, with which the alum combines
and forms an active poison or the seere-
tions may be healthy, but in unusual
proportions, and that these less or greater
proportions, in combination with the al
um, constitute poison
"For example, two parts Of mercury
and two parts of chlorine form caiomel,
which is not poisonous; but change the
proportions to one part Of mercury and
two parts of chlorine, and We get corro-
sive subl,mate, which is deadly poison
"Then, again, We know moth
iuy OF the cause OF constitu-
tional peculiarities. Why Is 1t
that one person can eat all kinds Of green
fruits and vegetables with impanity, while
the same course might cause another In
diyidual his life? One person can handle
poison ivy and sumac without being IN
the least affected; another IS poisoned 1t
he approaches to within ten ieet of them
Out of family residing in malarial DIS
trict some of the members will suffer half
the YEAR with fever and aSue, while the
others will enjoy excellent health during
the entire wear. Foods that are whole
scme 10 some persons are actually poison
Gus TO Others. This Is especially true
with some kinds of fish. There Is no
safety in taking alum into the stomach,
"a it is shown to ba always injurious, and
often dangerous. Baking powders prop
erly compounded, and containing pure
cream of tartar instead of alum, are more
convenient than yeast; and bread and
pastry made with them are Just al WHO'LL
some, and far more palafab'e, We are IN
entire sympathy with the manu'' ci"F' rs
of the Royal Baking Powder-"h" com
menced and ars vigorously conducting the
war agains. the use Of alnm IA baking
powders.
Before committing ourselves, sosever,
ue made tests of a sufficient number OF
baking powders to satisfy ourselves that
the substitution Of alum 'or cream
of tartar in their composition has not been
oyer-e,timated .=hile a careful examination
of the Royal Baking Powder confirms our
belief that DR.. Mott, the Government
chemist, when he singled out and COM
mended this powder for its wholesome
ness. did it wholly i'll the interest OF the
public
.We do not hesitate 10 say that the
Roval Baking Powder people deserve the
gratitude Of the community whom they
are endeavoring to protect.
"Wili not some prominent manufsc-
turer of pure Candies follow their exam
ple. and expose the secrets OF the bust
ness that is dong untold mischief to chill
drenl'