The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-11-20
A 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 its
yearly profits are over a 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 at
tract to itself those whose greed will cause
them to utterly disregard the effect 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, a childs
wagon, sled, pewter spoon or some other
article of attractive appearance, but of small
intrinsic value or cost is given with each
purchase or number is attached to the can
which entities the customer to a similarly
numbered article or to prize Of some kind
1t is in some such way as this that the trade
in alum and ammonia baking powders,
which has now attained such giant proper
tions and their consumptionS by the public
which has reached an extent which is truly
alarming.
The highest authorities of all countries
condemn the use of alum i'm bread without
reserve. In America the most distinguished
physicians, chemists and hygenists have
declared that the traffic in alum baking
powders should be suppressed 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
scientists, 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 en-
forced 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 attempted to use them for raising
bread, biscuit or cake would suffer severe
penalties.
The i'll effects upon the system of food
raised by alum baking powders are the
more dangerous because of their insidious
character. 1t would be less dangerous to
the community were it fatal at once, for
then such food would be avoided; but their
deleteriOus action because imperceptibe 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 effect is produced
by it upon the delicate coats of the stomach
and intestines.
What housewife would take home to her
family a can of alum or ammonia baking
powder If she knew it. Such powders not
only undermine the system, but it is pointed
out that ammonia taken into the system in
even infnetisimal doses day after day, i'm
parts to the complexion sallow and blOtched
appearance.
1t is safe to discard all baking powders
sold with prize or gift.
What misnomer are the words "Abso-
lutely 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.