Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-01-22
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 en0r nous.
business so profitable will always
attract to itself those whose greed will
cause them to utterly disregard the ef-
iect 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 appear
ance, but OF small intrinsic value or cost,
ia given with each purchase or num-
Der is attached to the can which en-
titles the customer to a similarly num-
bered article or TO a prize of some kind.
1t is in some such way as this that the
trade in alum and ammonia powders,
wi ich has now attained such giant pro-
portions and their consumption by the
public which has reached an extent
which is truly alarming.
The highest authorities oil ali countries
condemn the use OF alum in bread with
out reserve. In America the most dis
tinguished physicians, chemists and
hygIenists have declared that the traffic
in alum baking powders should be sup
pressed 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
oil extended experiments by the scIent-
lists, SO serious 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 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 at
tempted to use them for raising bread,
biscuit cake, would suffer severe pen
alties.
The i'll effects upon the system Of food
raised by alum baking powders are the
more dangerous because of their insid
ious character. 1t would be less dan
gerous to the community were it fata
at once, for then such food would be
avoided; but their deleterious action
because lmperceptible at first, is no les;
certain.
The puckering effect which alum hai
when taken in the mouth is familiar Z
everyone. Physicians say this same Ell
feet is produced by it upon the delicate
coats oil the stomach and intestines.
What housewife would take home Il
her family a can OF alum or ammoni,
baking powder if she knew it? Sucf
powders not only undermine the system
but it is pointed out that ammoni'
taken into the system in even minutes
imal doses day alter day, imparts to thu
complexion a sallow and blotched az
pearance.
1t is safe to discard all baking powder
sold with prize or gift.
What a mlsnomer are the words "Ap
solutely Pure" as applied to baklni
powders. Two of the largest sellln
brands, one made from alum, the 9th
containing ammonia, and both OF thes
drugged baking powders have stampe'
upon their labels and circulars thes
words, absolutely pure; as matter G
fact they are Absolutely Poor" a
shown by official examinations.