Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1886-10-09
PRETTY GUM CHEWERS.
A Practice Probably Originating Among
the Barbaric Tribes OF Africa


A Practice Probably Originating Among
the Barbaric Tribes of Africa
"The origin of chewing gum is I'M
known said a manufactures who was
in Detroit the other day, land it is inn
possible to definitely decide what peo-
pie to charge with its invention. Deal
ers who sell it and the manufacturers
who make it profess profound ignor-
ance of its genesis, while savants
differ as to where the practice
originated. The majority of persons
who have given the subject inyestiga-
tion are disposed to trace the practice
to the barbaric tribes of Africa, whose
women find the resinous gum which
the tropical sun causes to eXude from
the trees, and chew it. 1t is probable
that this custom was introduced into
the Southern States by the African
slaves, who found the pine trees of the
South as prolific in gum as the trees of
their native forests The white women
of that section at that time were al
most entirely given to the nauseating
habit of dipping snuff. C., rubbing
it over their gums with the frayed ends
of a pine stick. In time they adopted
the more cleanly and healty custom of
their slaves, and the pine-trce gum be-
came their favorite, largely suppressed
ing the snulf-dip. An observing Yam
kee travelling through the South in
ante-bellum days noticed the feminine
gum habit and saw Il prospective for
tune in manufacturing an artificial
gum of superior flavor to that gathered
in the woods. A little rancid tallow,
trif1e of gum arabic mixed together
and hardened, then cut into small
cubes and wrapped in colored paper,
constituted the chewing gum of twenty
years ago.
"The mixture found ready sale
among Southern women, and in time
a demand grew up for it in the cities
of the North. Gum-chewing in few
years spread rapidly among the lasses
of the East, and finally crossed the AL
leghenies and swept over the West like
wildtre.
There is no basis upon which to
estimate the percentage of American
women who chew gum, but the num-
Der has been put at from one-half TO
two-thirds of the feminine population
The practice is confined to no particu-
lar class. The lady in her parlor and
the maid in the kitchen exercise their
jaws over the tasteless substance with
the same industry 1t is far more COM
mon among women than chewing to-
bacco is with men"
who are the greatest users of the
snuff"
'Probably the girls employed in the
large factories are the most confirmed
gum-chewers. A walk along Gratiot
and Michigan avenues in the evening,
when those thoroughfares are thronged
with girls returning from work, shows
about every other one assiduously ply
ing her jaws"
A prominent Detroit candydealer,
when questioned upon the subject,
said: "Yes, two-thirds of my lady
customers when they visit me lay in a
supply of chewing-gum, although the
demand for it comes from
school and shop girls, A few men buy
it regularly, but they are generally
persons who have been addicted to
chewing tobacco and are endeayoring
to conquer the habit. The dudes use
it quite extensively and usually want a
highly brand. 1t is all harm
less.
A physician asserted that girls work |
ng in large factories where there was
\ great deal of dust were positively |
by its use. at causes them |
% swallow or to spit out the dust they |
nhale, which otherwise would find |
odgment in their lungs" he explained.
A dentist did not believe it could IN |
ure the teeth, but thought it improved |
hem, as the constant friction kept |
hem free from tartar and other dele |
erious substances. "lts continued use |
or years, however," he admitted |
would in time wear down the side of |
he Jaw most used in its mastication."
Lately there has crept into the De-
roit market a substance known as
black chewing gum" made ont of
ar, which is said by medical men to be
harmful and pernicious. 1t
s becoming a great favorite with gum
,hewers, but physicians assert its use
$ productive of sore mouths and in
throat diseases. Put up in
ancy paper, sold at penny block,
favored with some unknown ingredi-
mt, and christened with swectly-
name, as "luti-tuti," " for in
tance, the black chewing gum is
orcing its entree into all grades of
ociety, and driving its rivals to the
vail. But it is nothing but tar--cheap
ar at that-mixcd with gclatine and
favored with-heayen and the manu-
acturer only know what. Detroit
Tribune.
The Ruling Passion.