The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-11-10
ADULTERATED PRODUCTS.
An Interesting Discussion of the
Same is INDUCED in by the So
cial Science Club.

On account of several other mat
tiers in the city attracting public at
tention Tuesday, the attendance
at the social science club was not as
large as usual, but those presentenJoy-
ed a most interesting meeting. The
paper read was on subject of "Adul-
terated Products" and was present.
ed by Mr.. Nelson Weed. He reviewed
the question of adulterated products
and the position which most of the
states have taken against them, or
more properly speaking, to regulate
them. In speaking of the matter OF
adulteration in general he said:
''Some seem to think that adultera-
tion is modern and that it is practic-
ed to greater extent now than for
merly. This / think to be an error
as Improvement in methods OF lden-
tifying adultera tions have made 1T
easier to discover them, although the
improvements in science that have
made authorizations easier of discovery
have also provided means of adultera-
tion unknown. AS early as the
eleventh century AleXius, emperor of
the Byzantine empire, instructed his
officers to furnish flour for the cru
saders, who were to pass through his
territory, adulterated with lime, not,
however, so much for the gain to be
derived therefrom, DIS his desire to
furnish them with something not
good for their health, as hewas not
entirely friendly to them although
appearing to be-"
While a great deal of adulteration
is practiced. and few articles escape
it's baneful effects he believed from
all reports that can be obtained that
it is not as extensively practiced as it
was few years ago. This is largely
due to the fact that most of the states
regulate such matters to greater or
less extent, land in many Of them
products which are adulterated must
be labeled as such. He referred to the
manner in which numerous articles
were adulterated and the attempts
which have been made to prevent the
same, together with the opinions OF
various, medical authorities of the
effects Of the same on the public
health.
The discussion which followed
seemed to divide upon'a line in which
the commercial side was pitted
against the health and ethical view
of the question.
From a commercial standpoint it
was urged that much of the socalled
adulterat!on was all right, if the
product was properly labeled, so that
the people would know what they are
getting; that the laws thereon ought
to be uniform, and not prohibit in
one state while properly regulated in
another, or not regulated at all.
On the other hand it was held that
the regulation by law cid not afford
the protection needed, wherever the
question of health,iS involved. If an
article is produced is deleterious to
the health, it was urged that its pro-
duction should be prohibited alto
gether. From an ethical standpoint
it was urged that the adulteration of
products had a bad effect upon the
people morally. and tends to make US
a nation of liars. The effect upon the
youth is demoraliZing as they are en-
couraged to believe that profits, not
perfection IN products is what is aim
ed at.
The subject of the paper to be pre-
sented at the next meeting is "Public
Libraries" and will be read by Prof.
Cox, the discussion to be led by E. w.
Martin.