Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-03-13


DR.. Halle journal Of Health, in re-
cent issue, says:
This question tas caused good
deal sf discussion. Alum il used by
many bakers TO whiten their br sad. en-
abling them TO nee an inferior -four. Ii
is more extensively used as cheap sub
stitate for cream of tartar in the man
ufacture OF baking powders. 1t has not
been considered Immediately danger
Gus: although If continued 1t induces
dyspepsia and obstinate constipation.
But the fact that many cases of poison
ing have occurred from baking powders
which contained alum, puts the question
In more serious aspect, and prudent
people Will exercise cautioI In the selec-
ton OF baking powders.
nder what conditions. then, does
this substance-f0rmerly used only for
mechanical or medicinal purposes-b,
cous poisonous? They are certainly
obscure. and at present We Can only sur
mise what they may be. We suspect
that the cause exists in the individual
poisoned: some peculiarity Of the con-
stitutlon producing morbid change
IN the secretiOns Of the stomach, with
which the alum combines and FERNS an
active poison or the secretiOns may be
healthy, but in unusual proportions,
and that these less or greater proper
tiOns, 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
proportion to one part of mercury and
two parts of chlorine, and We get cOrrO-
slve sublimate, which is a deadly poi
son.
Then, again, We know nothing of
the causes Of constitat onal peculiar
tiles. Why is it that one person can
eat all kinds of green fruits and vege-
tables with lmpunity, 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 if he
approaches within ten feet of them.
Out OF family residing in malarial
district. some of the members Sill suf-
fer 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 is
especially true of some kinds of fish.
dSAC ID uO bdLcty III tdkluR ALUM lutO
the stomach. AZ it is shown to be always
injurious, and often dangerous. Baking
powders properly compounded, and con-
tanning pure cream of tartar instead of
alum. are more convenient than yeast:
and bread and pastry made with them
are Just as wholesome and far more
palatable. We are in entire sympathy
with he manufacturers of the Royal
Baking POwder-whO commenced, and
are vigorously conducting the war
against the use of alum in baking pow
ders.
Before committing ourselves. how
ever, We made tests of a sufficient num-
Der of baking powders to satisfy our
selves 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 Pow
der confirms our belief that DIR. Mott,
the Government Chemist, when he
singled out and commended this powder
for its wholesomeness, did 1t wholly in
the interests of the public.
I'VE do not ht tsltate to say that the
Royal Baking Powder people deserve
the gratitude of the community whom
they are sndeavoring IL protect.
will not some prominent manufao-
turer of pure candies follow their exam
pie, aud expose the secrets of business
that is doing untold mischief to little
chIldren!'