The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16
POISONS IN EVERYDAY FOOD.
Infinitesimal in Quality. but Niru.
lent If concentrated.

From the New York Tribune.
One of the curious and little-known
facts brought to light by recent in
yestigations Is that in almost every
kind of food some amount of poison Is
to be found. Often the quantity Is so
small that chemical analysis does not
reveal it, and it is only discovered by
certain effects upon the human system
under certain conditions. Small as
these quantities of poison are, however
in comparison with the other consti-
tuents of any one food. they do exist.
and are poisons of deadly sort. Con-
centrated. the amount of poison that
is taken into the system during an
average lifetime would be sufficient TO
kill an army instantly. Yet the eX-
tremely minute fragments absorbed
during each meal not only do no harEi,
but seem almost healthgiving. At least,
IL is certain that many OF the most
dangerous and destructive substances
known exist in tangible quantities in
some of the most valued foods.
Foods that contain the worst poiscns
in these tiny quantities may be eat
en- constantly without any unfortunate
results. There is no more popular ana
widely used food than the potato. In
Ireland in certain districts. little else
is eaten, and the peasants thrive Won
derfully on them. Yet the potato be-
longs to the same botanical class as
the deadly nightshadc, and has in 1t
the same poisonous element.
MANY other vegetables nave the
same curious quality. In nearly every
vegetable and fruit that grows above
the ground. except the cabbage class.
what are known as vegetable acids eX-
ist. There is a different one i'll each
vegetable and variety of fruit. and all
are deadly pOisons. Nevertheless, II
would he impossible to get sufficient
quantity into the stomach at single
meal TO do even the slightest injury,
and the gastric juice absOrbs and rem
ders harmless these pOisOnS unfail-
ingly.
POISON IN TAPIOCA.
Tapioca is another food substance
that contains poison. This has long
been known. The fact was again called
to the attention of scientists hy Henry
NJ. STANLEY. who carried in his kit on
one of his journeys in the Dark Con-
tinent" q large quantity of tapioca, and
had the opportunity to detect the dang
er in it's use when not properly pre-
pared Under proper conditions tap
ioca is not harmful, but poison is pres
ent in it i'm such large quantity that
many precautions should he taken.
Even beer has it's portion of poison.
O. substance known as picro-toXin.
Lemon juice contains a viruent and
dangerous element-citric acid-and
in MANY of the lemon drops and bot
ties of lemon juice commercially pre-
pared this substance ia made up In the
laboratory and mixed with disregard
of the way nature does 1t. The nat
ural Juice of the lemon Is not In the
least poisonous, even taken in large
quantities. but lemon juice chemically
made. as it frequently is for the trade,
needs to be looked warly at.
Bitter alnonds have poison in them
to such a perceDtible extent that act
ual cases of poisoning are on record.
Strawberries and rhubarb contain OK
alic acid. This. as almost everybody
knows. is one of the most deadly and
rapid poisons. when used in any APP
preciable quantity. Certain people are