The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-10
Is ALUM POISONOUS ?

[Hals Journal OF Health
" This question has caused a good deal Of dis
cusslon. Alum is used by many bakers TO
whlten their bread, enabling them TO use an In
ferior flour. II Is most extensively employed as a
cheap substitute for cream OF tartar In the manu-
facture OF baking powders. Its use has not been
considered Immediately dangerous. although II
continued 1t induces dyspepsia and obstinate con-
stipaton. But The fact that many cases OF poi.
soning have occurred from the use of alum puts
the question In more serious aspect, and
prudent people will exercise caution in the selec-
ton OF baking powders
" Under what conditions, then, does this sub
stance-formely used cnly for mechanical or
medicinal purposes-become poisonous? They
are certainly obscure. and at present we eau
only surmise what they may be. We suspect
that the cause exists 10 the individual poisoned;
some peculiarly OF The constitution producing a
morbid change In tho sec etions Of the stomach,
with which the alum combines and forms an ac-
i've poisoni OF the secreIiOns may be healthy but
In unusual proportions, and that these less or
greater proportions IN combination with the
alum constitute poison.
For example, two parts OF mercury and two
parts OF chlorine form alOmel, which Is not poi
sonous, but change the proportions 10 one part
mercury ana two parts of chlorine. and We get
corrosive subllmste, which Is a deadly poison.
Then again we know nothing of the conslitu-
tiona pecuiarltles Why Is 1t that one person can
eat all Kinds OF green fruit aud vegetables With i'm
punlty, WINE Inc 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 II he ap-
proaches TO within ten feet Of them. Out OF q
1aInily residing in malarial district some of the
members VIII suffer hall the year with fever and
ague, while the others Will enjoy excellent health
during the entire year. Foods that are whole
some TO some persons are actually poisonous to
others. This Is especially true of some kinds OF
nsh. There Is no safety IN taking alum Into tho
stomach, as II Is shown 10 be always INJURIOUS
and often dangerous" -
The scientific Anlertcdn published In a recent
number Isl OF alum and ammonia baking pow
ders, which is OF great value at This time Fol
lowing Is condensed list compiled from offcial
reports. Powders marked with star seem TO
nave general sale, as they are mentioned In at
least TWO OF the official reports:
ATLANTIC & PACIFIC .RoYAL,
CROWN. SILVER STAR
DAVE o. X. sSSowDRIFT.
GEM STAR
'KENToN. STANDARD
There are, In addition to the foregoing list
from the Scientific american, a number OF such
| powders solo in the Western that were not found
In the Eastern stores.
Following Is list OF the most prominent:
| ANDREWS PEARL. Contains Ammonia
| .c,,p ". T. Andrews q Co., Milwaukee.)
BON po EInOs. Wood & Co.. PIiIadeIpniaJ " '
81 Grant Baking Powder CO., cSicar aun
r, CALUMET Baking Powder Co.. cnieaso gum
CLIMAX Baking Powder co.. indisn A%ms1a
| FOREST CITY. -. Contains Ammonia Alum
| Vouwie Bros, Cleyeand.)
| no Ell Contains Ammonia Alum
ur s. e G e. Baking Powder Co; onicaroS
He1cues baking Powder Co.. San Fisnes co..,
| ONE SPOON, TAYLOR'S Ammonia Alum
RISING s Tsy'or Mig Co.. & aod nsq'.
PhGuix Chemical Works, Chcaeo)
| ROYAL Contains Ammonia