Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1891-12-30
Is Alum Poisonous.

."This question has caused good deal of discussion. Alum is used by many bakers to whiten their bread, enabling them to use an inferior four. 1t is most extensively em- ployed as cheap substitute for cream of tartar in the manufacture of baking powders. Its use has not been considered immediately dan gerous, although if continued it in- duces dyspepsia and obstinate con stipation. But the fact that many cases of poisoning have occurred from the use of alum, puts the ques- ton in a more serious aspect, and prudent people will exercise caution in the selection of baking powders"
 Under what conditions then. does this substance-formerly used only for mechanical or medicinal pur- poses--become poisonousi They are certainly obscure, and at present we can only surmise what they may be. We suspect that the cause ex- ists in the individual poisoned; some peculiarity of the constitu- ton producing a morbid change in the secretions of the stomach, with which the alum combines and forms an active poison; or the secretions may be healthy but in unusual pro- portions, and that these less greater proportions, in combination with the alum constitute poison" "For examyle, two parts of mer- cury and two parts of chlorine form calomel, which is not poisonous, but change the proportions to one part of mercury and two parts of chlo- rine, and we get corrosive of subli- mate, which is 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 yegeta- bles with impunity, while the same course might cost another indiyid- ual his lifef One person can ham, de poison ivy and sumac without being in the least affected; another is poisonedif if he approaches to with in ten feet of them. Out of family residing in malarial district, some of the members will suffer half the year with fever and ague, 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 always injurious, and often dangerous"
 The Scientific American publish ed in a recent number list of alum and ammonia baking powders, which is of great value at this time. Following is a condensed list com piled from official reports. Pow ders marked with star seem to have a general sale, as they are men tioned in at least two of the official reports:
 *ATLANrIc X PACIFIC. *RoYAL. GROWN. SILVER STAR.
 *DAvIs' O. K. *SNowpRIFT. GEM. STAR.
 | +KENroN. STANDARD.
 There are, in addition to the fore going list from the Scientific Ameri- can, number of such powders sold in the western that were not found in the eastern stores.
 Following is list of the most prominent:
 ANDREWS PEARL, Contains Ammonia. | co. B. Andrews $ Co.,, Milwaukee.) ACNE. E......... Contains Ammonia. (Thos. Wood x Co, Philadelphia BoN BoN. N.......... Contains Alum. G.C. Grant Baking Powder Co. Chicago)
 CALUMET. Contains Alum. Calumet Baking Powder Co.,, Chi cago.)
 CLIMAX. Contains Ammonia. (Climax Baking Powder O., h. dianapolis.)
 FOREST CITY, Contains Ammonia Alum.
 (Vouwie Bros, Cleyeland.)
 HOTEL. '. Contains Ammonia Alum. (J. c. Grant Baking Powder Co.,,
 Chicago.)
 HERCULES. Contains Ammonia. (Hercules Baking Powder Co.,, San
 Francisco)
 ONE SPooN, TMLoR's, Ammonia Alum
 (Taylor Mfg. O., St. Louis.a RISING SUN. .. Contains Ammonia. Phenix Chemical Works, Chicago.) ROYAL. Contains Ammonia. Royal Baking Powder Co.,, N. Y.