Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-06

huOWH as Nhe tium nfnI - Wloe hpTehu. i
The Missouri legislature has been the great
storm center OF the controversy during the
last few months, but the outside world
has not been by any means disinterested.
Every effort has been made by the alum
trust"5a combination Of alum baking pow
der manufacturers-to repeal the law which
prohibits the manufacture and sale OF these
articles In Missouri. The agents OF the
trust and the politicians seem 70 have car
ried on the controversy somewhat regard !
less Of the interests Of those who have the
most at ~stake-the public. The repeal act
failed. and the manufacture Of alum baking
powders in the state is still a misde-
meanor.
Public Poisoning.
Lieutenant Governor John A. Lee. having
been criticised for voting upon q tie In the
senate against the sale OF alum baking
powders. does not hesitate to give his rea-
sons. In a vigorous communication to the
st. Louis papers be says:
Il could not only do so consistently, but
conscientiously. I am the publisher, and
have for years been the editor, Of two trade
papers in the food pro line, have
studied the subject carefully and believe
that l know It. / have maintained for
many years that alum is a harmful and
unwholesome food admlxture, and voted 20
put a label on the cans, so that those who
believe as l do, that alum In any quantity
introduced into the human stomach 10 a
poison. can know what they are buying and
eating, II we must continue to at all permit
public poisoning for profit.
Injurious Effects.
MANY seem to share my views, and espe-
cially those competent to Judge. No one is
n oonohFo - oatF,,aNan. tha aYaoN ~ m
article Of food upon the human system as
a practicing and experienced physician.
They are much more competent In that
respect than analytical chemists, for the
physician almost daily diagnoses conditions
Of injurious effects of food products, while
chemists give their opinions from a knowl-
edge Of probable effects. The one is theo-
%retical, the other practical.
Knowing that this question was coming
up at this session, l concluded last August
10 ascertain the sentiment Of the physi-
clans Of Missouri on this subject. From a
medical directory l selected one physician
b in each county who, from the information
given in the directory, had graduated at a
we'll known and reputable medical college,
and usually a man Of some years practice,
without any knowledge OF his politics.
l wrote a circular letter to ia physicians,
there being that many counties in Mis-
souri,. asking their attention to the law,
which was in effect, prohibiting the use
Of alum in baking powder or any other food
product, and asking whether or not they
thought 1t should be repealed.
Among many others l received the fol-
lowing replies, OF which publication was
not prohibited. Out of the entire number
Of replies received only one or two vaguely
stated that they thought the law should be
repealed for political reasons.
Opinions of Physicians.
The following replies are from physicians
OF Missouri, men in whose hands the lives
and health Of our citizens are constantly
placed. and in whose judgment / have alb
solute confidence, and In whose honesty
and sincerity l most earnestly believe:
A. M. Conway, NJ. D., Columbia, Mo-,
says, of date August 2S, 1902:
Alum is undoubtedly deleterious to the
human system. some individuals resist its
eject more than others, but continued use
will gradually impair the healthfuI func-
tions. 1t is a powerful astringent, and,
therefore,, poisonous. l would, therefore,
that the law be not repealed"
T. W. Foster. NJ. D., Butler, Mo-, under
date Of August 81, 1909, says:
h'Nh IA pahihb PON wv 10 ueIcISTlOuH
and harmfu to the health. I would suggest
that YOU attempt to defeat the repeal Of the
present law, believing 1t to be for the well
Ware and health Of the people,"
Carl Brockhausen. NJ. D., Herman, Mo.
Of date September 8, 1902, says:
Alum is considered by all good au-
thorities one OF the mineral poisons. Its
total OF partial substitution for cream OF
tartar in baking powder is an adulteratior
and an injury to health and should be pro.
hibited by law"
20. Claiborn. M. D., Waynesyille. Mo. n
'date September 5. 1902. says.
The bill prohibiting the sale of alum
baking powder meets my hearty approval
THE eating of bread containing alum To-
a protracted lime will certainly produc,
constipation, as well as numerous other
diseases"
T. v, Baldwin, NJ. D.. Forsyth, Mo, o
date September 10, 1902, says:
I'm my opinion alum in baking powde
is injurious. indorse the action OF tn,
legislature in prohibiting the admixenr
of alum In baking-powder compounds an,
trust the law will not be repealed"
J. r. Boyd. NJ. D.. Springfield, No, hea
physician for the Modern Woodmen 4
America, OF date November 26. 1902. saws
I'm reply to your letter, received som
time ago, would say that the law shout
stand. Alum, even in minute doses. is a
irritant to healthy tissues. Some peopl
consume a large amount Of bread. esns
cially the poorer class OF people. and the
would be, from obvious reasons, the greAt
est sufferers. l trust that you will /
able to prevent the repeal OF II. law"
Z. c. Parish, NJ. D., Memphis. No.
date October %. 1902. says:
"Alum, according to Potter. an editor
therapeutics and materia medioa, is an Al
tringent. coagulating albumen. stimulatir
muscular contraction.
ct ~coagulates pepsin and arrests diRe
tion. stops peristalsis and usually caus,
constipation. II taken into the stomach 4
a length Of time Il will be injurious.
MANY eminent authorities condemn 1
use in food, l have opposed such use
II for many years"
ID. A. Yarnell, NJ. D., Versailles, Mo-.
date August IS, 1901, says;
II consider alum, II taken continuous
ntO the system, very deleterious- II