Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1891-10-02
Is Alum Poisonous +!
| Halls Journal of Health

Halls Journal of Health.
"This question has caused a good
deal of discussion. Alum Is used by
many bakers to whlten their bread, en-
abling them to use an inferior -four. 1t
is most extensively employed as cheap
substitute for cream of tartar in the
manufacture of baking powders. 1t has
not been considered Immediately danger
GUS; although if continued 1t induces
dyspepsia and obstinate constipation
But the fact that many cases of poison
ing have occurred from the use of alum,
puts the question in a more serious
aspect, 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-b
come poisonous? They are certainly
obscure, AID at present We can only sur
mise what they NAV be. We suspect
that the cause exists in the individual
poisoned; some peculiarity of the con
stltution producing a morbid change in
the secretlOns of the stomach, with which
the alum combines and forms an active
poison; or the secretions may be healthy
but in unusual proportions, and that
these less or greater proportions in com
bination with the alum constitute a
poison"
For example, two parts of mercury
aud two parts Of chlorine form calomen,
which is not poisonous, but change the
proportions to one part mercury and two
parts of chlorine, and we get corrosive
sublimate, which is a deadly poison
"Then again we know nothing of the
constitutional peculiarities. Why is it
that one person can eat all kinds of
green fruits and vegetables with impun-
ity while the same course might cost an
other individual his life? One person
can handle poison ivy and sumac with
out being in the least affected; another
is poisoned if he approaches to within
ten feet of them. Out of family re-
siding IN a malarial district, some of the
members will suffer half the year with
fever and ague, while the Others Will en-
Joy 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.'*
The Scientific American published in
a recent number a list Of alum and am
monia baking powders, which is of great
value at this time. Following is the
list compiled from official reports Pow
ders marked with a star seem to have a
general sale, as they are mentioned in at
least two of the official reports.
*ATLANTIC & PACIFIC. *RoYAL.
COOKS FAvORITE. sCIoTo.
CROWN. SILVER SPOON.
CRYSTAL. SILVER STAR
DAISY. *sNow DRIFT
*DAvIs o. K. SOVEREIGN.
DRY YEAST. STAR.
GEM. STATE.
GLOBE. STANDARD.
*KENToN. sUNFLCwER.
PEARsoN's. WASHINGTON.
PERFECTION. WINDSOR.
PEERLESS. ZIPP's GRAPE.
PURITY. CRYSTAL.
There are, in addition to the foregoing
list from the Scientific American, a
number Of such powders sold IN the west
ern that were not found in the eastern
stores.
Following is the list to date:
CALUMET, Contains Alum
Calumet Baking Powder Co., Chicago
FOREST CITY. Contains Ammonia Alum
Vouwie Bros, Cleveland.
CHICAGO YEAST, Contains Ammonia Alum
sChapman Smith Co., Chicago.
BON BON, Contains Alum
HOTEL, Contains Ammonia Alum
J. c. Grant Baking Powder Co., Chicago.
UNRINALED, Contains Alum
spragues, Warner & Griswold, Chicago
ONE SPOON, TAYLOR'S, Ammonia Alum
Taylor Mfg. Co., st. Louis.
YARNALLS Contains Alum
Yarnall Mfg. Co., St. Louis.
SHAW'S SNOW PUFF, Contains Alum
Merchants Mfg. Association, st. Louis
DODSON 4 Hills, Contains Alum
Dodson His, St. Louis.
SHEPARD'S, Contains Ammonia Alum
VIM. H. Shepard, St. Louis.
BAINS, Contains Alum
Meyer-Bain Mfg. Co., St. Louis.
MONARCH, Contains Ammonia Alum
Reid, Murdoch o., Chicago.
SNOW BALL, Contains Alum
Bengal Coffee d Spice Mills, Chicago.
GIANT, Contains Alum