Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-03

Dr.. Halls Journal Of Health In q recent issue,
says:
"This question has caused good deal OF discus
sion. Alum Is used by many bakers to whiten
their bread, enabling them to inferior -four.
1t is more extensively employed as a cheap sub
stitutefo cream OF tartar in the manufacture OF
baking powders. It has not been considered Inn.
mediately dangerous; although II continued it
induces dyspepsia and obstinate constipation.
But the fact that many cases OF poisoning have
occurred from baking powders which contained
alum, puts the question In more serious asp CT,
and prudent people VIII exercise caution In the
selection or baking powders.
"Under what conditions. then. does this sub
Stance-fOrmerly used only for mechanical or med
1ciDal purpoSes-become poisonous? They are Ger
tainly obscure, and at present we can only sur
exists In the individual poisoned; some peculiarly
or the constitution producing a morbid change In
the secretions OF the stomach, with which the alum
combines and forms an active poison; or the Sc.
cretiORs may be healthy but In unusual proper
lions, and that these less or greater proportions.
In combination with the alum, constitute poison.
"For example, two parts OF mercury and two
parts or chlorine form caomel, which Is not pol
sonous, but change the proportions 70 one part OF
mercury and two parts OF chlorine, and we get
corrosive sublimate, which is a deadly poison.
Then. again. we know nothing OF the causes OF
constitutional pecularitieS Why is IL that one
person can eat all kinds OF green fruits and vege-
tables with impun1ty, while the same course might
cost another individual his lifef One person can
handle poison ivy and sumac without being in the
least affected another Is poisoned n he approaches
to within ten feet or them Out OF family re-
siding In maiarlai district Someof the members
viii suffer half the year with fever and ague while
the others Will enjoy excellent health during the
entire year. Foods that are wholesome TO some
persons are actually poisonous to Others This IL
especially trueof some kinds OF flsh. There Is no
safety In taking alum into the stomach, as It Is
shown TO bealway5 injurious. and Often dangerous
Baking powders properly compounded, and con-
tanning pure cream or tartar instead OF alum. arc
made with them are just as wholesome and far
more palatable. We are in entire sympathy with
who commenced and are vigorously conducting
the war against the use OF alum In baking
"Before committing ourselves, however, we
made tests OF a sufficient number or baking DOW
ders 70 satisfy ourselves that the substitution OF
not been over-estimated, while careful examine
ton OF the Royal Baking Powder confirms our
belief that Dr: Mott the Government Chemist,
when ne singled out ana commended. this powder
Tor It's wholesomeness, did it wholly In the inter.
ests OF the public.
Powder people deserve the gratitude OF the com.
munlty whom they are endeavoring TO protect
VIII not some prominent manufacture OF pure
Candies follow their example, ana expose the
secrets OF business that is doing untold mischief
Patrick McGovern, state executive OF the IrisA
league for Virginia. has been requested BY the
early day possible. the holding OF a state
yentlon OF ali sympathizers with the cause OF the
three 70 four inches OF snow fen in northern
New Hampshire and Vermont yesterday after.
nom At St. J0hnsbury. VT. the weight OF tie
snow damaged the apple trees ana the teegraphA
Nj. Nichols, q farmer, near 1eesbnrg. Va. COM
united suicide by hanging himself 70 3 rafter In
his barn on Monday.
Mr. Andrew Heck was on Monday elected a com,
missioner Tor Doonsooro, Nd. 20 fli the VACANCY
caused uy the death OF Mr.. Howard J. 6haefYer
Al Monmouth, III. Monday, MIA Bailey killed
her leyear-03d daughter and herself In q corn0eld
With casor: Both we're demented.
- Ant0tnos 0eputy from Al ace IN the Re1oh,
stags has been arrested Coz high treason.