Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-03-26
A FEW Danger PROM Bogus BUTTER.

Despite the warfare upon false butter, it
has held its own in the markets of the
country Its rejection has been more pro.
nounced in California than in any other
State, OIoomargarine, busterine, etc, are
very largely made, and the profits TO the
manufacturers are known to be very large.
The dairymen, however, have not slack
ened the energy of their warfare against
bogus butter, and at this time a committee
Of the Senate of New York Is diligently
engaged in chemically Analysing the spuri-
GUS articles and taking testimony relative
to the effects OF their use upon the health
Of consumers. One witness was recently
examined who worked in an oleomargarine
factory. Though but 30 years of age, the
nan was prematurely old. Propped up in
chair, he told remarkable story. Soon
after he began to work in tho factory his
hands became sore and raw: presently
they began to swell the nails dropped off,
his flesh literally rotsed, his hair came out
and his teeth loosened and fell out the
liquid from the "butter rotted his cloth.
ing, and even his boots His health gave
way and be had to be taken to hospital
05her woTkmen we're similarly afflicted,
hut not so severely. Dr. Pooler testified
that the man was suffering from contact
with nitric acid, which was put into the
oleomargaFine as a preventative. Nitric
acid would have precisely the effect on
the human system described by the wit.
ness-pltient. It was also proven that it's
use in bogus batter is for the purpose Of
destroying Che animal tissue in the fatty
substances used of deodorizing the
article and OF preserving it. The COM
mittee also examined into the use
Of COTTON seed oil by the false butter
nskere. when it developed that it is a
dangerous article and has long been used
among negroes az the South for a nefarious
purpose. The essential properties are dan
geroua to the health Of women in some
respects more so than ergot. Dr.. Pooler
testified that It's use produces sterility, ard
1t was MS solemn belief that the phenom-
en&l increase OF still births in New York
since 1879 vas due to the use Of adulter-
ated butter OF course the manufacturers
laughed a: this testimony, and stated their
readiness, If given time, to produce wit
nesses OF equal credibihty 70 contradict the
expert physician. Whether or not Dr.
PoOles conclusions are sound, their pro-
lection into the bogus butter debate should
be sufficient 20 awaken the closest inquiry.
Such an Issue cannot be sneercd at, and it
viii no. do TO ignore it. Sanitarians and
Boards Of Health must now displlco gro
GERS and commercial men in the examina.
ton Of the question. It is the poorer class
Of our citizens who are most imposed upon
by the sale Of bogus for pure butter, and
while in our own State there is regula-
tive law regarding the article, it promises
to become health question, one that may
dispose Of regulation by substituting pro-
hibition. The cupidity OF man cannot be
regulated by statute. II bogus butter may
be made az all there can be given no actual
guarantee that only harailsss ingredient,
will be used. As DR.. Newton, of Paterson, n.
J., testified, there would be no danger in
using oleomsrgarine if the manufacturers
would only use pure materials, but IN.
principled men would take the fat of dis.
essed animals. We do not assume to say
that the testimony Of DR.. Pooler applies
to the bogus butter made or sold in Cali.
fornia, because we have no information on
that point, hut we do say that the devel-
opments in New York arc worthy our seri.
ous cangidsration.