The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-09
.FACTSABOUT MILK
A. Jensen Discusses the Pres
emit Day Adulteration.
Explains in Detail Why For
maldehyde Is Poisonous.
MAY CAUSE DEATH.
Use Is Dangerous, Especially to
InValids and Infants.
Thinks Food Inspector Is Not
Doing His Duty.
MAY CAUSE DEATH.

To the Editor of the State Journal:
The writer having closely followed
the discussion relative to the use of
formaldehyde and boraeic acid as well
as salycyIic acid in the Topeka milk
supply, and having for years made
milk and its products a close study.
has decided to give what meager
knowledge he possesses on the subject
TO the public: Inasmuch as our pure
food Inspector. drawing $500 per
month for looking into the food pro-
ducts used by the citizens of Topeka
openly defies this agitation and de-
clares that for the past three years he
has known that these poisonous pro-
ducts were being used in the milk, and
even today is claiming that same are
not injurious to the stomach. The
writer hereby openly challenges said
pure food inspector through the pa
pers OF the city of Topeka. to make
good and prove by reliable authority
that preservatives of any description
in milk is not harmful
! Formaldehyde is a poison as well as
a strong antiseptic- A very weak So
luton of fOrmaldehvde will destroy
mould germs and disease germs by be-
/ ing spread upon the infected parts. A
prominent physician of this city makes
the statement that a 10 per cent solution
of formaldehyde will keep a subject in
a perfect state of preservation for
months. Formaldehyde is made from
wood alcohol Did anyone ever know
that wood alcohol was not poison? By
a simple process of excluding certain
parts found n wood alcohol by a pro-
cess of heating. formaIdehyde is made.
II IS many times more poisonous than
when IN its original state in wood al.
cohOL SalicyIic acid is also very poi
sonous. Borax by itself. while not a
poison. is considered an antiseptic and
/ taken in even moderate quantities it
will produce indigestion.
/ For milk preserving a per cent So
/ luton of formaldehyde is used. The
I directions for the use of this poisonous
product, posing under such names as
/ 1eeine. freezeine. milk sweets and a
names. say to use from two TO four
/ tablesDoOnfulS of the solution to one
ten gallon can of milk This would be
nearly at the rate of ounces to every
50 pounds of milk The action of the
forma ldehyde on the milk solids. espec-
/ lalIy the casein. is to render them in
soluble, and when insoluble it is unfit
for food product. The effect on the
saliva in the mouth is the same The
sallva IS a necessary element of diges-
ton and its action is rendered useless
I by very small per cent of formafle-
4 hyde. Upon entering the stomach the
1 by rendering juices of the stomach
partly insoluble and practically inef-
fective for 4 time at least. Depending
| on the amounts used. causing the food
| TO pass through the intestines undi-
gested and causing an extra amount OF
blood to flow to the stomach to over
come the Intoxicating effect of the for
maldehyde. which is usually followed
by duh, sick feeling. headaches. and
a number of other temporary ailments
| In cases where sick people or infants
are using great quantities of milk with
formaldehyde in il. it Drolongs the i'll
ness If not producing death. While
borax or boraeic acid acts slightly diff.
ferent and slightly mflder than formal
dehyde. it is only the healthy. strong
person that would be able to Withstand
the use of same for any length of time
The United States department OF
agriculture, division of chemistry, bull
letin -. part 8, states as follows: Ions
objection to the use of chemical pre-
Eservatives arises from the fact tina
they do not confine their anti-fermen-
tative action to the food preserved bu
continue to exercise it after the food
has reached the stomach which is no
desirable. Digestion is effected by tbs
action of unorganized ferments to
large extent and on this action mos
antiseptics have a greater or lesser re
Istraint-"
The writer has known instances ane
is familiar with some of the method:
employed by milk dealers in the city O.
Topeka, and knows that not even care