The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1891-12-26
Is Alum Poisonouss

Is Alum Poisonouss
"This question has called good deal
OF discussion. Alum is used by many
bakers to whiten their bread, enabling
them to use anInierior -four Iii most
extensively employed as a cheap substi
stute for cream Of tartar in the manu-
facture of baking powders. Its use has
not been considered Immediately dan
gerous, altho ugh il continued it induces
dyspepsia and obstinate constipation.
Bnt the fact that many cases OF poison
ing have occurred from the use of alum,
puts the question in a more serious as
pect, and prudent people will exercise
cautio in the selection OF baking pow
ders"
"Under what conditions then does
this ubstance-formerly used only for
mechanical or medicinal purposes-be
come poisonous? Thew are certainly
obscure, and at present we can only
surmise what they may be. We sus-
pect that the cause exists in the indi-
vidual poisoned; some popularity of
the constitution producing morbid
change in the secretions of the stomach,
with which the alum combines and
forms an active poison; or the secre-
tions 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 calomel,
which is not poisonous, but change the
proportions to one part of mercury and
two parts of chlorine, and we get cor
rosive sublimate, which is a 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 vegetables with impu
nifty. while the same course might cost
another individual his life? One person
can handle poison ivy and sumac with
out being in the least affected another
is poisoned if he approaches TO within
ten feet of them. Out of family re-
siding 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 published in
a recent number a list of alum and am
monia baking powders, which is of great
value at this time. Following is a con-
densed list compiled from official re-
ports. Powders marked with a star
seem to have general sale, as they are
mentioned in at least two of the official
reports:
ATLANTIC & PACIFIC. +RoYAL
CROWN SILVER STAR.
*DAVIs' o. X. *sNOWDRIFT.
! GEM STAR.
TRENTON STANDARD.
There are, in addition to the foregoing
list from the Scientific Americdn, mum =.
Der OF such powders sold in the western
that were not found in the eastern stores.
Following is list of the most prom
inent
/ ANDREWS PEA Contains Ammonia.
&C.. E. Andrews d Co., Milwaukee)
Contains Ammonia
BON Contains Alum.
q. g Grant Baking Powder Co.. Chicago)
CALUMET .......................... Contains Alum.
Calumet Baking powder CO., Chicago)
Contains Ammonia.
CLIMAX Brking Powder Co., Indianapohs)
FOREST CITY ....,....... Contains Ammonia Alum.
Vouwie Bros, Cleveand)
HOTEL.....................C Contains Ammonia Alum.
q. G. Grant Baking Powder Co., Chicago)
HERCULES. Contains Ammonia
(Hercules Baking Powder Co., San Francisco
ONE SPOON, TAYLOR'S........ Ammonia Alum
Taylor Mfg Co., St. LOUISE
RISING Contains Ammonia
phoenix Chemical Works, Chicago
........ Contains Ammonia
(ROyal Baking Powder Co, New York;
Halls Journal of Health