The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-10-29
A MILLION A YEAR.
Lottery and Prize Schemes Used to Sell Alum
and Ammonia BaKlng Powders.

A New York concern, manufacturers of
an ammonia baking powder boasts that its
yearly profits are over million dollars
While, perhaps, none of the makers of
alum powders individually can show so
large earnings yet their profits are enor-
nous.
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 lie OF
others.
Alum baking powders are introduced
largely by gifts, prizes and lottery schemes.
A piece of glassware or china, a child's
wagon, sled, pewter spoon or some other
article of attractive appearance. but Of
small intrinsic value or cost Is given with
each purchase or a number is attached to
the can which entities the customer to a
similarly NUM- ered article or to prize of
some kind. 1t is in some such way as this
that the trade in alum and ammonia baE-
ing powders, which has now attained such
giant proportions and their consumption
by the public which has reached an extent
which is truly alarming.
The highest authorities of all countries
condemn the use of alum in bread without
reserve In America the most distinguish
ed physicians, chemists and hygenists
have declared that the traffic in alum bak-
ing powders should be suppressed by law.
In England and France where the subject
OF pure food aud its effects upon the sys-
TEN has been more fully considered and
made the subject of extended experiments
by the scientists, 50 serious amatter is the
use of alum in bread or other food cOnsid
cred to be that most stringent laws have
been enacted to prevent it. These laws
are rigidly enforced, 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 imperceptible at
first is no less certain.
The pickering 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 infinetisimal doses day after day.
imparts to the complexion a 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 pow
ders. Two Of the largest selling brands,
one made from alum, the other containing
ammonia and both of these drugged bak
ing powders have stamped upon their
labels and circulars these words asolutely
pure, as matter of fact they are "Abso-
lutely Poor" as shown by official exami-