The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-12
Drugs Also Adulterated, Sometimes -
with Dangerous Results to the
People who Use Them.
VIEWS OF INVESTIGATORS
ANTIsEPTICs PLACED In FOOD TO
DECEIVE AND DEFRAUD.
Spurious Goods Put on the Market
by Dishonest Manufacturer
Beer to BE Analysed.

CHICAGO May n.-Before the Senate
committee to-day four prominent witnesses
testified as to the effect on the human stom-
ach from the use of antiseptics and en-
balming fluids and preservatives in food
and drink In general they were agreed
that the substances used were deleterious,
and that in many cases they were poison
GUS Either prohibit their use, they de-
clared, or compel the manufacturers and
user to brand them plainly and explicitly.
so that the consumer may know exactly
what is being eaten. These witnesses were
Henry G.. Piffard, a New York physician;
Abbott c. Prescott, dean OF the school OF
pharmacy in the University of Michigan
and professor of hygienic chemistry; Victor
C. Vaughn, dean of the medical faculty at
Ann Arbor and professor of hygiene. and
IL. C. Adams, dairy and food commissioner
in Wisconsin.
DR.. Piffard made specific reference to
foods and drugs which are being generally
adulterated sometimes with dangerous re-
suits to the consumer. Bromo-setZer, he
said, is one of these. Properly IL should
consist OF bromide of potassium or some
other substance of that kind, and the in
gradients of seltzer water. But il ap-
pears he continued, that acetanilide is
being extensively used instead. In the now
famous Adams case the experts examina-
ton of the bromo showed the presence, in
addition to the acute poison of acetanilide.
SO that believe its use is widespread"
The commissioners made this statement
at the close of the day: The things which
seem to stick out above the details of the
investigation are the fact that antiseptics
are used indiscriminately to defraud and to
H. a,I tk1., -, AL ,ta,,r
and in some positively dangerous. Second.
that in the absence OF explicit labels dis
honest manufacturers are enabled to put
spurious goods on the market. These things
will be looked after in the proposed legisla-
tion."
The testimony OF witnesses already heard
has attracted wide attention i'm all parts
of the country. Letters are beginning to
pour In from New York. San Francisco
and other cities in general accord with the
testimony as published. Among others a
letter came from Jacob Baize, of New
York. to-day. emphasizing the statements
made on coffee by Graeme Stewart.
Senator Mason left tonight for Horton,
Kan, where he is 10 deliver commence
ment address. Senator Harris will examine
several witnesses tomorrow and will then
leave for New York The commissions work
in Chicago will be postponed after to-mor-
row for an indefinite time.
Beer is soon TO be put to severe test
by the committee. A scientific analysis OF all
brands offered in the open market will be
made by the government experts at Wash
irgton and their report will become part
of the commissions record. Senator Mason
said that the regulations in regard to beer
would receive serious attention.
The committee has purchased in Chicago
many samples of butter. pepper, coffee
jellies and canned goods for analytical ex-
animation in Washington The samples will
be freed of their labels and the experts will
make their examinations without knowledge
of brand source of the articles.