The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1888-07-05
The Danger Before Us.


We have already alluded to the i'm
portance Of housekeepers paying more
attention to the kind of baking pow
der used in leavening their bread.
This is matter to which we cannot
draw attention too often, because it is
something which involves the most
serious consequences to the general
body Of mankind. Temperance apos-
ties tell us-and there is ample foun-
dation for the statement-that there
is disease, both moral and physical, in
the Intoxicating cup; and in the same
way there is disease, slow perhaps, but
certain, in the leavening agent which
is employed in one-half the homes on
this continent; sickness, perhaps
death, in the bread we eat at every
meal-slow poison, placed there, too,
by loving hands, by mothers whose
every thought is for the health and
happiness of their children, by wives
whose chief solace is the life and COM
fort of their husbands. The victim
of intoxication goes to his fate with a
full consciousness of what he is doing;
but the victim Of the adulterated and
poisonous baking powder falls and
knows not whence comes the blow
that struck him. The certificates Of
chemists with high-sounding titles
have been read in confidence; the
toothsone cake has been given in gen
erous abundance to the children; the
daily bread has been eaten in fancied
security. But all the time the poison
has been working its slow effect.
There come spells of headache, loss Of
appetite, futtering of the heart; the
child is seized with an apparently
causeless cough. The coating Of the
stomach is destroyed, perhaps; one Of
the vital organs is rendered almost
useless; the kidneys are attacked with
Bright's disease. The health of the
child is irreparably broken down; the
adult becomes chronic invalid. These
are the doings of the modern cheap
baking powders that are composed of
lime, alum, acids and other vile
things.
In view Of these facts surely all |
housewives should exercise the care
that is, we know, now exercised by
some in their selections of a proper
baking powder. She who does not do
SO, whether the neglect is the result |
of ignorance or recklessness, cannot |
free herself from the responsibility |
for the health, perhaps life, thereby
endangered. No housewife need be |
ignorant of the quality and compost
ton of the article which she uses to
leaven her bread, biscuit and cake.
The official reports Of the government
chemists, who are certainly unpreju-
diced, have been published and show
very clearly the quality and strength
Of all the baking powders in the mar
ket. The Royal Baking Powder,
which is accessible at every hand, is
absolutely free from lime,
alum, phosphate acid, or any injuri-
ous ingredients. 1t is further stated
by the most eminent authorities on
food hygiene that food leavened with
It is more wholesome than when raised
oy any other method. Its use is there
fore to be commended. It is to be re-
gretted that no other baking powder,
when there are so many in the mar
zet, some Of which will find their way
nto use, is free from all of these sub
stances. They all contain either lime
,r alum. The housekeeper who re-
cards the health of her loved ones
hould not only order the Royal, but
make personal examination to be sure
hat no other brand is sent her in it's
)lace.