The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-12
WHY We Are Sick.

No device that can add to the comfort
and convenience OF dwelling Is omitted
in our modern architecture, and money is
not regarded when the luxury OF clothing
or beauty of personal adOrnment Is in ques-
ton. Hence we all live in better houses
and wear better clothes than did our fore
fathers. Why should we not take the same
better care OF our health? Why should
dyspepsia, and the train OF diseases that
follow it, almost unknown in the Olden
time, be 50 prevalent now? Simply be-
cause OF the poisonous and indigestibe
trash which i'm these days is forced upon
the public as genuine food, or Ised to adul.
terate those articles that 90 to make up the
daily bill OF fare OF every household. Our
forefathers were content to make money 10y
plain and honest methods: but the hot
competition OF the present day and the strife
for rapid riches have called forth all the in
genuity OF modern science to devise cum
ming deceptions that shall enable the ayari-
cious dealer TO more rapidly increase his
profits, even though he destroy the health
OF the public thereby. The consequence i
aduterated, impure, poisonous, and bogus
food on every hand.
The people buy these adulterated articles
OF food because they are cheap, entirely
ignorant OF their poisonous qualities. a
few years ago this evil had reached such
alarming proportions in England thai the
public sentiment demanded legislative in
reference, and Parliament enacted The
most severe repressive laws. DR.. Small.
United States army, after an examination
recently made under Tie direction Of the
War Department, concludes that the adul-
iteration OF food is as great in this country
to-day, and of as dangerous character, as
it was in England at the time referred TO.
No article entering so generally into the
food Of every family has been found
more villanously adulterated than baking
powder. For the purpose OF underseil-
ing an absolutely-pure powder like the
| Royal" which has become the stand
ard for purity and strength in baking
powders, hundreds OF dealers are putting
up baking-p0wders with cheap and adul-
terated cream OF tartar containing lime,
earth, ETC., adding strength by the free use
of alum. These powders are sold cheap,
! but their use is expensive, for they are one
OF the chief causes Of the dyspepsia from
which the American people are suffering
| This species CT adultcration at least can be
avoided by following the advice OF PROBES
/ SOr Mott, the chemist 10 the Government
who recommends consumers, "wIen pur.
chasing baking-pOwders, to select one
standard powder, as the 'Royal Baking
Powder rather than TO risk purchasing
adventurous compounds put upon the mar.
kct by persons who have no higher motive
than dollars and cents"
We hope TO see Congress take hold Of
this important matter in a sufficiently Wig
orous manner to put an end to the whole
nefarious business. In the mean time, il
people will be as careful to buy the bes
aud purest food as they are to wear the hes
clothes and build the most comfortable
houses, it will not be necessary TO ask &
frequently the question, "Why are ",
sickY" Every scientific test has proven
the Royal" to be pure and wholesome.