The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1891-09-11
rs ALUM POISONOUS?
HALLS JOURNAL OF HEALTH

to whiten their bread, enabling them to. use
an inferior -four. 1t is most extensively
employed as a cheap substitute for cream
of tarter in the manufacture of baking DOW
ders. 1t has not been considered immedi-
ately dangerous; although if continued it
induces dyspepsia and obstinate constipa-
tion. 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 selection of baking powders.
"Under what conditions then, does this
substance-fcrp,erly used only for mechani
cal or medicinal purposes-become poison
Gus? They are certainly obscure, and at
present we can only surmise what they may
be. We suspect that the cause exsists in
the individual poisoned; some popularity
OF the constitution producing amorbid change
in the secrctions of the stomach, with
which the alum combines and forms an ac-
tive poison; or the secretions may be healthy
but in unusual proportions and that these
less or greater proportions IN combination
with the alum constitute a 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 mercury and two parts of chlo-
rine, and we get corrosive sublimate which
is deadly poison.
Then again, we know nothing of the con
| stitutional peculiarities. Why is it that one
person can eat all kinds of green fruits and
vegetables with impunity, while the same
course might cost another individual his life?
One person can handle poison ivy and sumac
without being in the least affected; another
is poisoned if he approaches to within ten
feet of them. Out of family residing in a
malarial district, some of the members will
suffer half the year with fever aud ague.
while the otherslwiIl enjoy excellent health
during the entire year. Foods that are
wholesome to some prsons are actually poi
sonous to others. This is ,pecially true of
some kinds of fish. There is no safety in
taking alum into the stomach. as it is, shown
tie be always injurious, and often danger
ous."**
The SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN published in a
baking powders, which is of great value at
this time. Following is the list compiled
from official reports. Powders marked with
a star seem to have a general sale, as they
are mentioned in at least two of the official
reports.
SATLANTIc&PAcIFfc. *RoYAL.
CROWN. SILVER SPOON.
COOKS FAvoR1TE. scIoTo.
CRYSTAL. SILVER STAR.
DAISY. *SNoWDRIFT. i
DAVIS o. K. SOVEREIGN.
DRY YEAST. STAR.
GEM. STATE.
GLOBE STANDARD.
*KENToN. sUSFLowER.
PEARsoN's. wAsHINGToN.
PERFECTION. WINDSOR.
PEERLESS. zIPP's GRAPE.
PURITY. CRYSTAL.
There are, in addition to the foregoing
list from the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, a num-
Der of such powders sold in the western that
were not found i'll eastern stores.
Following is the list to date:
CALU MEL, CONTAINS Alum.
Calumet Baking Powder Co., Chlcagoj
FOREST CITY, = Contains Ammonia Alum.
(Vouwie Bros, Cleveland
CHICAGOY Contains Ammonia Alum
Chapman & Smith Co., Chicago.}
BON BON, Contains Alum.
HOTEL, Contains Ammonia Alum.
~ 10 \ |
UNRIVALED, Contains Alum.
(Spragues, Warner & CIR iswold, Chicago.)
ONE,SPOON, TAYLoRs, Ammonia Alum.
(Taylor Mig. Co., st. Louis
YARNAL'S, Contains Alum.
(Yarnal Mfg. Co., st. Louis.)
SHAw's SNOW PUFF, : Contains Alum.
merchants Mfg. Association, st. Louis)
DODSON & Hills, Contains Alum.
(Dodson & Hills, st. Lou1s.)
Contains Ammonia Alum.
(IVm. H. Sheppard, St. LOUSY
BAIN'S, Contains Alum
(Meyer-Bain Mfg. Co., st. Louis.)
(Reid, Murdoch & Co., Chicago.)
SNOW BALL, Contains. Alum
Bengal Coffee & Spice Mills, Chicago.)
GIANT, Contains Alum. ,
MILK. Contains AluT. ,
(,V. F. Mclaughlin & Co., Chicago.) 1
ECHO, Contains Alum.
spencer Bluing Paddle Co., Chicago)
KALBFELL'S PURITY, Contains Alum. :
(Kalbfell Mtg. Co., Chicago)
RISING SUN, Contains Ammonia.
phoenix Chemical Works, Coieago.)
WHITE ROSE. Contains Ammonia Alum !
(Globe Coffee & Spice Mills, Minneapolis
WOODS ACME, Contains AainoIia.