Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-10-23
A MILLION A YEAR.
Lottery and Prize Schemes Used 20 sell Alum
and Ammonia Baking Powders.

and Ammonia Baking Powders.
A New York concern. manufacturers
Of an ammonia baking powder boasts
that its yearly profits are over million
dollars. While, perhaps, none of the
makers of alum powders individually
can show SO large earnings yet their
profits are enormous.
A business so profitable, will always
attract to itself those whose greed will
cause them to utterly disregard the eff
feet their traffic may haye upon the
health or life of others.
Alum baking powders are introduced
largely by gifts. prizes and lottery
schemes. A piece of glassware or china,
a chlds wagon. sled, pewter spoon or
some other article of attractive appear.
ance. but of small intrinsic value or cost
is given with each purchase or num-
Der is attached to the can which enti-
ties the customer to a similarly num-
bered article or to prize of some kind.
Ii is in some such way as this that the
trade in alum and ammonia baking
powders, which has now attained such
giant proportions and their consump-
tion by the public which has reached
an extent which is truly alarming.
The highest authorities of all coun.
tries condemn the use of alum in bread
without reserve. In America the most
distinguished physicians, chemists and
hygienists have declared that the traffic
in alum baking powders should be sup
pressed by law. In England and France
where the subject of pure food, and its
effect upon the system, has been more
fully considered and made the subject
of extended experiments by the scient-
lists, SO serious a matter is the use of
alum in bread or other food considered
to be, that most stringent laws have
been enacted to prevent it. These laws
are rigidly enforced, and the sale of
alum baking powders would not be per-
mitted for an hour. Any one who at
tempted to make them for use in food,
or attempted to use them for raising
bread, buscuit or cake would suffer se-
we're penalties.
The i'll effects upon the system of
food raised by alum baking powders are
the more dangerous because of their
insiduous character. 1t would be less
dangerous to the community we're il
be avoided but their deletorious action
because imperceptible at first is no less
certain.
The puckering effect which alum has
when taken in the mouth is familiar to
every one. Physicians say this same
effect is produced by it upon the deli
cate coats of the stomach and ntestines.
What housewife would take home to
her family q can of alum or ammonia
baking powder if she knew it. Such
powders not only undermine the sys-
tenn, but it is pointed out that ammonia
taken into the system in even infinet-
isimal doses day after day, imparts to
the complexion a sallow and blotched
appearance.
1t is safe to discard all baking pow
ders sold with prize or gift.
What misnomer are the words "Ab-
solutely Pure" as applied to baking
powders. Two of the largest selling
brands, one made from alum, the other
containing ammonia and both of these
drugged baking powders have stamped
upon their labels and circulars these
words absolutely pure" AS matter of
fact they are absolutely Poor" as
shown by official examinations.