Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-02-23
NO PHYsIC WITH OUR FOOD.
A PHI osphatic Baking Powder Theory
That is Dangerous if not
Ridiculous.

That is rather dangerous propo-
sition, put forth by the manufacturers
of some of the patented or proprietary
articles of food, that their products
possess q superior wholesomeness be-
cause they contain drug of some par
ticular medicinal property. Phos-
pilates, alum, lime, arsenic, caIomel,
etc., have their places as specifics for
different diseases, and are invaluable
medical remedies, each in its place.
But they are not cure-alls. The physi-
clan who should prescribe either calo-
mel, or strycanine, or rhubarb three
times day to man, woman or child,
sick or we'll, because either of such
drugs is well known remedy for some
certain disease, would receive but lit
tie honor from the fraternity and less
practice from the community.
No one will controvert this state
ment; vet we find manufacturers of
baking powders claiming superior
hygienic virtue for their productions
and urging their continuous use be-
cause they are alleged to carry the
phosphate used in making them "a
cheap substitute for cream of tartar,
procured from the bones of dead ami
maIs) into the food, although well
aware, as they must be, of the fact that
with the constant use of such an article
this drug must pass into our systems
daily, no matter what may be our
physical conditions or requirements, or
whether or not we may be suffering
from some ailment wherein the use of
such drugs would be positively detri-
mental. Both alum and phosphates
are useful medicaments in certain dis
eases: but they should no more be
taken indiscriminately day after day
and without the prescription of
physician, than arsenic, aconite or calo-
mel: indeed there ere conditions of the
system, particularly with women, when
the prudent physician would be loath
to permit the use of lime phosphates
even as medicine.
The fallacy of this claim of the manu-
facturers of phosphate baking powders
Il will be apparent to all when the fact,
we'll known to physicians, is stated,
i that in average health and with ordi-
nary food the body gets more phos-
pilates than are required or can be as
simulated as is evidenced by the fact
that they are constantly being expelled
|, in the excretions, both solid and liquid;
likewise the statement that it is nPces-
sary to add phosphates to the baking
I powder to restore to the flour those
which have been lost in the milling, for
4 it is true that fine -four as at present
made actually contains a larger per-
, centage of phosphates than the grain of
] wheat itself.
The object of baking powders is not
/ to provide the body with medicine.
Il L., ~ ,,lxy Tn yncinavlato Yoayo IiOhf
, / the mixture of -four, so as to render IL
! when baked easy of mastication and
' perfectly digestible. The most cele-
l brated experts in the business have
, worked for the perfection of an article
: that should do this mechanically, add
j | ing to or taking from the flour nothing,
/. nor in any way eftecting change In lts
i properties or constituents. When this
q has been done the perfect leavenine
. agent has been discovered. The manu-
: f,aeturers Of the Royal Baking Powder
i. have succeeded in this SO far as to make
) a leavenihg agent that vesiculates and
< raises the loaf most perfectly and with
8 out changing the properties OF the
3 -four, while the residuum from 1t has
;. been reduced to minimum. The acid
}. employed, however, to produce this re,
K suit is not phosphatic, but the acid o.
: highly refined cream of tartar, which
,s the health authorities agree renders
|, that powder perfectly pure and more
Il reliable aud healthful than any other
: The recent official tests show, on the
o other hand, that the best that the
q phosphate baking powder makers car
g do, is to produce an article that is one
d third or more residuum or impurity.
II We want our food pure; especially W.
"a do not wish to take alum, lime an(
3 phosphates with it at the dictum 0
q manufacturers who may find itcbeape
& to claim virtue for the impurities thar
: to remove them.
9 He is idle that might be better EN-
n ployed. Dyspepsia is never idle--it
d tortures never cease. Better emplo,
e Warmers Log Cabin Hops and Buchl
4 Remedy, put the stomach In health.
l . u sat