The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1891-10-03
4 MILLION A YEAR.

Lottery and Prize Schemes used to sell
Alum and Ammonia Baking Powders.
A New York concern, manufacturers
of an ammonia baking powder boasts
that it's yearly profits are over million
dollars. While, perhaps, none of the
makers of alum powders individually
can show so large earnings yet their pro-
fits are enormous.
A business so profitable, will always
attract to itself those whose greed will
cause them to utterly disregard the ef-
feet their traffic may have 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,
child's wagon, sled, a pewter spoon or
some other article of attractive appear
ance, both of small intrinsic value or
cost is given with each purchase or
number is attached to the can which en-
titles the customer to similarly num-
bered article or to prize of some kind.
It 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 it's
effect upon the system, has been more
fully considered and made the subject
Of extended experiments by the scient-
lists, 80 serious 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 PERMITTED
for an hour. Any one who attempted
to make them for use in food,or attempt
ed to use them for raising bread, biscuit
or cake would suffer severe penalties.
The ill effects upon the system of food
raised by alum baking powders are the
more dangerous because of their insid-
ious character. 1t would be less danger
GUS to the community were it fatal at
once, for then such food would be avoid
ed; but their deleterious action because
imperceptible at first is no less certain.
The puckering effect which alum has
when taken in the mouth is familiar to
everyone. Physicians say this same ef-
feet is produced by it upon the delicate
coats of the stomach and intestines.
What housewife would take home to
her family can of alum or ammonia
baking powder if she knew it. Such
powders do not only undermine the
system, but it is pointed out that am
monia taken into the system in even in
finetisimal doses day after day, imparts
to the complexion sallow and blotch-
ed appearance.
1t is safe to discard all baking pow
ders sold with a prize or gift.
What misnomer are the words
absolutely 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 Poor" as shown by
official examinations.