The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-03-24
AN EVIL TO he REMEpIED

AN EVIL TO he REMEDIED
by special from Washington a few days
since TO the Chicago nter-0cean, the atten-
ton of the public is directed to a measure
now before congress Of the greatest mo-
ment to us all. II is no less subject than
the prevention of the alarming and grow
ing authorizations Of food consumed by the
people of the United States. 1t is a matter
of the most vital significance, referring di-
rectly as ii does to the health, life and
physical development of the citizen. And
IL Is u subject too of interest IN
every community; no state, or section, or
hamlet even, being safe from the per
ncous effects of adulterated food, But it
is II difficult question to handle, to reach
properly, to follow in all its mysteries and
notifications. Here lies the only trouble,
for all admit the necessity for and propriety
of action Of some sort in the premises.
Some question, We learn by the special, has
been madc as to the power of congress to act
in the matter, but there can be no serious
objection on this score, as the evil is q
national one affecting the best inter
ests of the citizens. Congress AS
sumes the authority to inspect
and punish the adulteraton of liquors, and
certainly with equal propriety can do the
same thing with reference to Other articles
of food and drink and drugs. 1t is not leg
islating us TO what we shall eat or what
drink, but il is in the nature of sanitary
regulation providing that those who furnish
us our food shall furnish us pure goods and
not counterfeits, carrying disease and sut-
iering along with them. The measure in
congress is more particularly designed as a
preventive of the introduction In this coun-
try of Initiated food from abroad, u direction
whence comes the greatest danger. No
nation hestatcs or questions its authority
IT, act against that evil nor should we.
Most people are entirely Ignorant of the
miserable and deadly connections and
authorizations they are constantly eating
and drinking, and it may be interesting to
quote few examples from the authority
before referred to. We copy from the spe
cial "The evidence regarding the adulter
atoms of food indicates that they art
largely of the nature of frauds on the
consumer, and injure both the healtl
and morals of the people" Sample cases
OF authorizations of food are given, including
cream Of tartar, which "enters into the
manufacture of the bread OF the world
OF mine samples examined in New York
one had 81 per cent. of terra alba, one 81
per cent. and the others contained lime and
salt. Chinese teas are busted with Prus'
sim blue, Japan teas with indigo, along
with finely pulvcrized sulphatc of lime and
silicatc, In the preparation of teas for
market such drugs are used as black lead,
indigo, Prussan blue, chrome yellow, vene-
tan red, carbonate of copper, and arscnltc
ofcopper In the manufacture of confcc-
tionery different poisonous preparations are
used containing Prussian blue, red lead, etc.
Castor oil made of lard oil, with II little
croton oil, cod.liver oil made OF lard, NOR
pha, 1uininc, and numerous other mcdi-
cincs are also adulterated so rs to destroy
their virtue as medicines. Your commit
tee are clearly of the opinion that this
adulteration of drugs and medicines results
in great danger to health and life, and the
testimony of the medical profession very
clearly indicates that the practitioners eff
forts are often baiilcd OH account of the
standards Of medicine he may recommend
differing materially from what he had in
mind whcn.prescriblng the remedy, Glucose
which is manufactured by millions ofpounds
in the western states, and used rs a substi-
tutc for the genuine sugar OF commerce in
making table syrups, the dark, moist SUI.
CARS used mostly by the poor, son candies,
chocolate, etc., the proof shows produces
and aggravates dyspeptic symptoms, fatu-
lency, and painful affections Of the bowels,
In conclusion, the committee says; I'VE
would not hamper commerce, we would
not NEEDLE with any legitimate trade, we
would not in foolish way cause any en-
barrasSmcnt whatever to the various enter
priscs to so to build M the great commerce
ofthis country. But we would at the same
time protect the citizens Of this land
against the frauds adultcration, and often
poisonous ingredients that enter into
the food which they eat to sus.
tain their daily life, and which enter
into the medicine which they take to re.
store them TO health when stricken down
by disease This is an old, and has AL.
ways been vcXatious question, but we
apprchcnd congressional legislation prop.
crly framed and vigorously enforced,
would be of invaluable benefit to the coun-
try. II is said that inuumerablc memorials
are being sent into congress, arguing the
passage of the bill which has been reported
back iavcrablv from the committee, and II
Is therefore hoped and believed that ut last
some practical improvements will he ac-
complishcd In this particular. Every mem.
Der of congress has u constituency inter.
cstcd deeply In this matter.