Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1890-01-16
L. Alum Poisonous:

DR.. Halls Journal oi Heath, III ~
recent issue, says:
This question has caused Il eood
deal of discussion. Alan is used bv
many baker- to whiten their bread.
Gu bling them to use an inferior flour.
1t is more extensively employed as ii
cheap substitute tor CREASE Of tartar in
the manufacture Of baking powders
II has been not considered immediate
ly dangerous; although il continued il
induces dyspepsia and obstinate con
stipation. But the fact that many
cases of poisoning have occurred from
baking powders which contained alum.
puts the question in q more serious as
pect. and prudent people will exercise
caution in the selection OF baking pow
ders.
Under what conditions, then. does
this substance formerly used only for
mechanical or medicinal purposes-be-
come poisonous? They are certainly
obscure, and at present We can only
surmise what they may be. We sus-
pect that the cause exists in the indi-
vidual poisoned; some popularity OF
tho constitution producing a morbid
change in the secreLions of the stomach.
with which the alum combines and
forms an active poison; or the secretions
may be healthy but in unusual proper
tious, and that these less or greater
proportions, in combination with the
alum. constitute a poison.
For example, two parts Of mercury
and TWO parts of chlorine form calomel,
which is not poisonous; but charge the
proportions to one part ofmercury and
two parts Of chlorine. and we get corro-
sive subimate, which is deadly
poison.
Then, again, we know nothing of
the causes OF constitutional peculiari-
ties. Why is it that one person can
eat all kinds of green fruits and vege-
tables with immunity, while the same
course might cost another individual
his life? One person can handle poison
ivy aud sumac without being in the
least affected; another is poisoned if he
approaches to within ten feet of them.
Out of family residing in a malarial
district, some of the members will suf-
fer half the year with fever and asue,
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.
There is no safety in taking alum into
the stomach, as it is shown to be al
ways injurious, and often dangerous.
Baking powders properly compounded.
and containing pure cream of tartar
instead of alum, are more convenient
than yeast; and bread and pastry made
with them are just 80 wholesome, and
far more palatable. We are in entire
sympathy with the manufacturers OF
the Royal Baking Powder-who COM
menced and are vigorously conducting
the war against the use OF alum IN
baking powders.
before committing ourselves, how
ever, we.made tests ola sufficient num-
Der of baking powders 10 satisfy our
selves that the substitution of alum for
cream OF tartar in their composition
has not been over-estimated, while
careful examination of the Royal Bak-
ing Powder confirms our belief that Dr..
Mott, the government chemist, when
be singled out and commended ttls
powder for its wholesomeness, did it
wholly in the interest OF the public.
ave do hot hesitate to say that the
Royal Baking Powder people deserve
the gratitude of the community whom
they are endeavoring to protect.
aWill not some prominent manufac-
turer of pure candies follow their exr
ample, and expose the secrets oil a
business that is doing untold mischief
to little children?"