Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-11
Impurities Not Food.

DEFECTS OF THE PHOSPHATE BAKING PowDERs-THEIR
LANCE AND USwHOLEsoME REsIDUUM-
From the Baltimore Herald
We have already commented upon the dangerous
proposition advanced by the phosphate yeast or
baking powder makers TO daily dose the entire
community, irrespective OF its physical needs or
ailments, with lime sulphates and phOsphates,
impurities that are found In their powders 1t
seems almost incredible that any sane person
should put forward as argument In behalf of an
article OF food intended for daily Use, the claim
that tt contains amongst its impurities drug
which under certain conditions IL properly pre-
Scribed by physician might be useful as medi-
cine. Physicians Will at once see that TO endorse
any such theory as this Is even more dangerous
tnan 10 recommend 10 their patients the indiS-
Criminate Use OF the various patent medicines
advertised on every hand as specifics for all the
diseases which flesh Is heir 10.
In the recent examination OF baking powders
made by the OHIO state Food Commission the
Phosphate baking or yeast powders were found 10
contain large quantities OF lime phOSphates, lime
sulphdtes, &c, which appeared impurities.
Their manufacturers have 80 far found IT impoSsi-
bic 10 get rio Of these impurities, and this prob
ably accounts for their remarkable claim that
such impurities are good for us TO eat.
The prepOoterOus Character OF this claim is EVIL
dent from the fact well-knOwn TO all physicians
that the body gets with It's ordinary food more
lime phOsphaIes than II can asslmIlate. The vital
organs are taxed, even in health, 10 throw this
excess OF.
Pure and wholesome baking powders as is we'll
known, are made IRON highly refined cream OF
tartar In phosphate baking or yeast powders
phosphate acid Is used as a substitute for cream
Of tartar on account OF Its cheapness. The ingre-
dents and process used by wvl-known manu-
ILcturer IN the preparation OF phosphate baking
powders are found in the records OF the Patent
once at Washington This Is the formula:
800 pounds burned and ground bones are placed
in
400 pounds sulphuric acid oil Of vitrioD, freshly
diluted with
1000 pounds water. and stirred from time TO time
Tor three days. The paste Is mixed with
idrdndceOus material, or with freshly burned
gypsum, or with stearine, and dried and pull
NerZed- This pulyeriZed acid l. 10
be used with bi-carOonate OF soda In baking
pOwIerS-
Bones of defunct animals are gathered FROM in
aud about the great cities, on batIle-fieds. and
wherever else they may be found In quantities
These bones are reduced 10 powder with sulphu-
nc acid and this powder Is the substitute USED in
the cheap phosphate baking and yeast powders
III lieu O1 the wholesome and more xpensive cream
OF tartar.
The sulphuric acid. with the lime and phospho-
rus OF the bones, produce the sulphate and phoS-
plate OF lime found In the impurities OF the phos-
piaiic baking OF yeast powders.
NOUSG WONAS's CHRISTIAN HoME.-Mr Wllkin-
son has submitted his nrSJ annual report as presi-
dent or the y oung NOnan'S Christian Home
Tie report states simply that the home was opened
at 81 e > rect northwest October 1, 1887: and
that since then has cared for eighty girls board
Ing and lodging them, obtaining positions for most
Of Them. anu returning SOM To their homes. The
amount OF money received from subscriptions was
ss.Slso, and the expenditures s117.16.