The Billings herald. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1882-1885, 1883-05-12
Is Alum Poisonousf

pr Halls Journal Of Health. in 6 recent
issue, says:
This question has caused good deal OF
discussion. Alum is used by many bakers
to whiten their bread, enabling them to
use an inferior -four. 1t is more extensive
ly employed as cheap substitute for cream
of tartar in the manufacture of baking pow
ders. 1t kas not been considered immedi-
ately dangerc us: although if continued it
induces dyspepsia and obstinate constipa-
ton. But the fact that many cases of pois-
oning have occurred from baking powders
which contained alum, puts the question in
a more serious aspect, and prudent people
will exercise caution in the selection of
baking powders.
Under what conditions, then, does this
ubstance--formerly used only for mechan-
ical purpoaes-bcconie poisonous? They
are certainly obscure, and at present we
can only surinise what they may be. We
suspect that the cause exists in the individ-
ual poisoned; some popularity of the con-
stitutiOn producing morbid change in the
secretions Of the stomach, with which the
alum combines and forms an active poison;
or the secretious may be healthy but in un-
usual proportions, in combination with the
alum, constitute poison.
For example, two parts of mercury and
two parts of chlorine form calomel, which
is not poisonous; but change the propo--
tions, in combination to one part Of mercu-
ry and Two parts of chlorine, and We get
corrosive sublimatc, which is deadly
poison.
Then, again. W. know nothing of the
causes OF constitutional peculiarties. Why
IS it that one person can eat all kinds Of
green fruits and vegetables with impunitv
while the same course might cost another
individual his life? One person can handle
poison Ivy and sumac without being in the
least affected; another is poisoned if he ap-
p-oache> TO within ten feet of them. Out
of family residing in malarial district,
some of the member. will suffer half the
year with fever and ague, while the Others
will enjoy excellent health during the en-
tire wear Foods that are wholesome to
some persons are actually poisonous to
others. This is especially true Of some
kinds of fish There is no safety in taking
alum INTO the stomach, as it is shown TO be
always injurious and often dangerous. Bak-
ing powders properly compounded, and con-
i -.
more convenient than yeast; and bread and
pastry made with them are just as where
some, and far more palatahle. We are in
entire sympathy with the manufacturers of
the Royal Baking Powder. who commenced
and are vigorously conducting the war
against the use Of alum III baking pow
derS
Before Sommit,ing ourselves, however,
we made tests Of sufficient number Of
baking powders 10 satisfy ourselves that
the substitution of alum for cream Of tartar
in their composition has not been over
estimated, while a careful examination Of
the Royal Baking Powder confirms our be-
lief.that DR.. Mott, the Government Chem
lst, when he singled out and commended
this powder for its wholcsomeless, did it
wholly i'll the interests of the public.
I'VE do not hesitate to say that the Royal
Baking Powder people deserve the graft
tude Of the community whom they are en-
deavoring to protect.
"Will not some prominent manufacturer
of pure Candies follow their example, and
eyposc the secrets Of a business that is
doing untold mischief to little children