The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-02-22
A Substitute for Sugar.

SuUSIlluI6 AOI SuSdIs
An industry still young, but unques-
tionsbly with great mercantile future,
is that of saccharine, product of coal
tar. 1t is substitute for sugar, has none
OF its bulk, and is 30 powerful that it is
300 times sweeter. The history of its
discovery is interesting, writes CONNER
cial Agent Washburn of Magdeburg.
In 1879 DR.. Constantine, Russian by
birth, but who had been educated in
Germany, became connected with the
John Hopkins University in Baltimore.
There lie conducted series of expert.
ments on the toluene sulphamides, in
order to investigate their oxidation pro.
ducts. The oulgrowth of this investiga-
ton was the discovery of saccharine.
By oxidizing pure orthctoluene sulpba-
mide it was found that it would yield
a remarkably sweet compound. The
amount obtained, however, was two
small to be of any practical value for
manufacturing purposes. The problem
thenceforth was to fnd other reactions
which would give better yield of the
sweet body. A long and exhaustive
series of laboratory experiments extend
ing through several years we're necessary
for the satisfactory development of the
chemical process of production.
As might be expected, discovery of
such practical utility had to run the
gauntlet of much hostile criticism. 1t
formed fruitful subject for discussion
in various scientific societies and jour
nails. Attempts were made to show that
it was not only deleterious, but danger
Gus. 1t is only fair to say, however, that
these arguments seem to have been suc-
cessfully controverted. An overwhelm-
ing mass of expert testimony is recorded
in favor of saccharine. Eminent profes.
sors, like Sir Fl. E. Roscoe in London,
Leyden ia Berlin, Paul in Paris, Won
Barth in Nienna, and host of others,
after thorough test, have certified that
the effects Of saccharine upon the phyai-
cal and phychical functions of the brute
and human systems are entirely harm.
less.
Saccharine in its pure condition is 6
white powder. Various advantages are
claimed for its use in arts, household and
medicine. To enumerate few: 1t is
so small in bulk that the saving in stor-
age and freight is, of course, very great;
its valuable antiaeptic qualities makes it
especially available in preserving, as we'll
as sweetening. articles of food, such as
jellies, fruits, etc. its nonfermentable
character. In the distilliDg of brandies
and liquors and In the brewing of beer
saccharine has been useo with signal auc.
cess. Mixed with glucose, sacchariue
has sweetness equal to the finest refined
sugar. Further, saecharine serves dis
tincty medical purpose. 1t is employed
to disguise the unpleasant satte of medi-
cine and in the preparation of medicated
wines and other cordials 1t has also
been highly endorsed as substitute for
sugar for those suffering from diabetes
and from fatness. Unlike sugar, it does
not go to form nourishment. Finally, it
may be added that this highly concen.
trated sweetenipg substance requires only
q little intelligence to be successfully
used in the household.
Saccharine should never be taken in
pure state. Some idea of its power will
be conveyed when it is understood that
one part of it will give very sweet taste
to ten thousand parts Of water. Tasted
in too large quantity, as DR.. Fahlberg
observes, it acts upon the nerves in such
a way as to paralyze the sense of taste;
just as powerful music stuns or deadens
the auditory nerves or bright light acts
upon the optic nerves.
DR.. Fahlberg has, in connection with
his partners, devoted himself of late
years to the placing of this commodity
on the market in practical form. 1t is
manufactured and put up in three ways,
viz, pure saccharine in powder, easy
soluble saccharine in gravel form and
saccharine tablets The two latter pre-
parstions contain small percentage of
bicarbonate of soda and are more availa.
BILE for cooking purposes The factory
and, so far as l am Informed, it is the
only one of its kind existing lis at
Salbke. W esterhusen, on the Elbe Pat
euts have been obtained in most civilized
lands, and monopolies of sale (which
debar the manufacturers from selling
direct) exist in many countries. including