Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-08-24
A QsEsrlog OF 3za sroR4cs.

a DIGESTION CT gHs sroaacs
Food adultefatioD. Notwithstanding the
exposures made within the last three years.
h.vo not decreased. On She contrary, they
have taken on new forms. It il evident tbss
something must be done by 5he Legislature
bodies Of the country to cbecI, what is he.
coming Az evil OF gigansis proportions, and
one threatening the lives snd health OF the
people Of sha country. Recent develop
ments show that large proportion Of the
paoksd-food supply is badly doctored, and
that we are using On cur tables al sorts Of
vile limitations and adulteFated articles.
The science Of chemistry is able to pro
tee5 as, and viii do SO. If the politicians
cen only mud time 70 let their servants, our
Isgislators, look into the matter. We are
being peraistently and brazenly robbed
every day in the matter Of weights and
measures, and last winter the press Of tbs
State was constant and urgent IN express
ing ahe public desire shat the Legjslatur5
would do something TO correct the evil, but
I'll appeals were trested contemptqoasIy
by the legislators, who we're too busy
@ fixing things for political purposes.
We much fear that that viii be the
same result with all efforts so have
California Legislature attend to this matter
Of sdulteration. Most Of the lava We now
have CT the subject are Ineffective, were
passed in the interest Of q few producers,
aud irrespective Of the health and pockets
OF the people. What we nesd is public
spirited organization to inquire into the
ustber and ascertain how far we are being
sWindled by manufacturers and handlers Of
food Supplies In the mater Of drugs We
have already demonstrated how Outrage
ously the public is robbed in several lines.
But beyond sbat, very little has been made
public. France has set us . worthy exam
pie. Without fear of her manufacturers
she has instituted o rigorous chemical aualy-
sis Of all drinks used by The people, and
the results which We have frequently re-
ieued TO in these columns have laid bare
facts that have shocked the entire nation.
N the matter Of dootored and msnutact-
Irsd wines, The exposures hays been in the
highest degree important. As we have 10
bureau through which such frauds as We
endure may be exposed, it might be we'll
to enter upca the matter through the me-
dun OF State food association, and prob
ably by the time the Legislature sgain meets
We would be able to make showing that
would command attention. Here ia Ger.
tainly field for philsnthropio effort. Such
steps arc about to be taken IN New. York
and IN Philadelphia, and Ii viii not be long
before She entire East viii be asking,
What 90 ne cat and drink? There IS 3
reason beyond the natural one, Tor the IN
crease Of kidney disease. and chemists do
not hesitate to affirm that It viii be found
IN tbs bold food and drink authorizations,
especially Che lstter. The litter ocean goes
so far as 20 say that there il not bar in
Chioago which does net, b. aduiseration,
contribute TO the great American disease
dyspepsia, which IN turn has so much TO do
with the formation of orr character as
people. Il charges that there are very lev
5isohens IN oil that city that escape the
poison Of adul5erstion IN the matter Of
food supplies, no matter how 1acsful the
praTiaer may be in his selections. The
coarser food OF the poor is far the safer.
since meat and potatoes and other yegetz.
bIes are not capable Of bsing doctcred
Bat "a refined lard, the compounds for
bread making, many canned goods and the
spices, the coffee, tea, pickles, sauees,
vinegsrs, wines, etc, ara all the subjects o;
vile authorizations. It appears that Illinois
not long ago passed law to protect ths
consumers Of vinegar, It being shown that
IN thst common article the most deliberate
poisoning was carried on through the
sgencg Of tbs laboratory. Il Is row known
thst cotton seed oil is largely palued OF
Ter olive oil, and is worked into both bat
ter and Iard that in come Of the finer
sugars a large per cent. Of profit IS ia5go.
ducsd by adulters5iou with sImost inpal.
pabls powders Of vsrcus descriptions ;
shss baking mixtures are often villainoua
compounds destructive TO she kidneys and
stomach that sauces are aygely unfit for
human consumption; that teas and coffee,
chocolate and other beverage bases are the
convenient means of introducing as to
most injurious articles. u score Of food
lines. and especially in drinks. from min
eral waters to brandy, the systems Of
adaitershon have besn brought 10 a sci
enee, and only chemical s,ience can be IL
vokod TO resist Them, bnt that ulust De
backed by tbs strong srre OF the law.