Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-10-17
Why We Are sick.

No device that can add to the comfort and
convenience of dwelling is omitted in our
mod I'm architecture. and money is not re
Corded when the luxury of clothing or beauty
of personal adornment is in question. Hence
We all live in better houses and wear bette r
clothes than did our forefathers. Why
should we not take the same better care of
our health? Why should dyspepsia. and the
train Of diseases that follow it, almost I'M
known in the olden time, be so prevalent
nov: Simply because of the poisonous and
ndigestible trash which in these days is
forced upon the public az genuine food, or
used to adulterate those articles that go tn
make up the daily bill of fare of every house
hold. Our forefathers were content to make
money nv plain and honest methods; but the
hot competition of the present dav and the
strife for rapid riches have called forth all
the ingenuity of modern science to devise
cunning receptions that shall enable the ava
ricious dealer to more rapidly increase his
profits. even though he destroy the health of
the public thereby. The consequence is
adulterated, impure, poisonous and bogus
food on every hand.
The people buy these adulterated articles
of food because they are cheap. entirely igno-
rant of their poisonous qualities. few
wears ago this evil had reached such alarm
ing proportions in England that the public
sentim, Mt demanded legislative interference,
and parliament enacted the most severe re-
pressive laws. DIR. Small, L. s. A., after
an examination recently made under the d.
recton of the War Department, concludes
that the adulteration of food is as great in
this country to-day, and of as dangerous a
character. is it was in England at the time
ref, FRED 10. No article entering so general
" into the fo,d of every family has been
found more villainously sdulterated than bak
ing powder For the purpose of undertaking
an absolutely pure powder like the Royal
which has become the standard for purity
and strength in baking powders-hundreds
of d, altrs are putting up baking powders
with cheap and ajulterated cream of tartar
containing lime, ca til, etc., adding strength
bv the free use of alum. These powders are
sold CHI, az, but their use is expensive, fol
they are one of the chief causes of dyspepsia
from which the American people are suder'
ing. This species Ct adulteration, at least,
can be avoided by following the advice OF
Pref Mott. the chemist to the Government
who recommends consumers "~hen purchas'
inc baking powders to select one standard
powder. as the Royal Baking Powder,
rather than to risk purchasing adventurou;
compounds put upon the market by persons
who have no higher motive than dollars and
cents"
We hope to see Congress take hold of this
important matter in q sufficiently vigorous
manner to pu, an end to the whole nefariou'
business. In te mean time. If people VII
be AS careful to buy the best and purest foot
as they are 70 wear the best clothes and ouiit
the most comfortable houses. it will not o.
necessary to ask SO frequently the question
"Whv are we sick?" Every scientific ties
has proven the Royal to be pure AM
wholesome.