Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-14
Lieutenant Governor ]. A. Lee Of Missouri
Fights Sale ofAlum Baking Powders
HE WOULD PROTECT THE PUBLIC HEALTH
STRONG LETTERS FROM MISSOURI PHYSICIANS
AGAINST ALUM BAKING POWDERS observation-disclosures
VIGOROUS STATEMENT OF HIS POSITION.

some time ago, | would say that the
law should stand. Alum, even in mi |
mute doses, is an ilritant 10 healthy |
tissues. Some people consume large
amount of bread, especially the poorer |
class of people, and they would be,
from obvious reasons, the greatest suf- |
ferers. trust that you will he able to
prevent the repeal of the law"
E. G. Parish, NJ D., Memphis, Mo-,
of date October %, 1902, says:
%Alum. according to Potter, an edi-
tor of therapeutics and materia med
lea, is an astringent, coagulating albu-
men, stimulating muscular contraction.
1T coagulates pepsin and arrests di-
gestion, stops peristalsis and usually
causes constipation. If taken into the
stomach for length of time 1t will be
injurious.
Many eminent authorities condemn
its use in food. | have opposed such
use of it for many years"
D. A. Yarnel1 NJ. D., Versailles, Mo-,
of date August %, 1902, says:
Il consider alum, if taken continue
ously into the system, very deleterious.
1t is strongly astringent and will cause
atrophy. and finally almost complete
obliteration of the gastric tubules, with
consequent anemia and constipation.
81 consider it very unhealthful, and
it should be excluded from all articles
of food"
B. Il. Finley, NJ. D., Charleston, Mo-,
of date August 2S, 1902, says:
~Alum in baking powder is injurious
to health and the manufacture should
be prohibited by law"
DR.. H. Bartens, Lexington, Mo-, OF
date August 80, 1902, says:
"Any and every baking powder con.
tanning alum ought to be prohibited by
law in this and every other state. FOOD
adulteration in this country is carried
on in shameless way Alum baking
powder is poisonous"
R. M. Bradbury, M. D.. Maryville,
Mo-. of date August 80, 1902, says:
.The law excluding alum from all
articles of food should stand and not
be repealed. There is no doubt that
these alum compounds when incorpor-
ated with God are injurious.
Elton S. Smith, NJ. D.. Stockton, Mo-,
4 of date August 80 1902, says:
! sThe use of alum in baking powder
or any food product is undoubtedly in
! furious to health, and is so considered
! by nearly all physicians and chemists,
especially those who have investigated
the subject. In my opinion its use IN
any article of food should be prohlb,
| tied"
I George NJ. Moore. NJ D.. Linn Creei
4 Mo. Of date August %, 1902 says:
II am opposed to the use OF alum IN
baking powder for several reasons
First. the local irritant effect upon the
mucous membrane of the alimentar1
i canal. stomach and intestines. Sec
ond. 1t causes constipation and Incl
dent i'll health. Third literature tell'
/ that will constringe the minute blooc
vessels. 1t should not be used in foot
/ products
I. j K. Cartrell, NJ. D., Alton, Mo-, o
date August 30, 1902, says:
mo burnt alum baking powde
should be on the market. / heartily en-
4 dorse the present law from the fac
! that know that alum baking POWDER
are unhealthy Alum arrests digestion
stons peristalsis and causes constipa
. ton. 1t also arrests secretions, espec
ially Of the mucous surfaces OF tn
stomach. 1t is a gastro-intestinal irr
tant and should never be used in prer
arations OF food. think the presen
law is good protection. 1t should no
be repealed"
w. e. Bell, physician and surgeon
of Osceola, Mo, of date August 1880
: says:
81 am pleased TO see you taking a
interest in this matter of food adultel
: alton.
"There need be no uncertainty as t
alum in baking powder.When brough
in contact with the mucous membran
of the stomach it produces whitenin
: and construction thus obstructing. tn
/ action of the gastric glands, largel
} stops the flow of the digestive fluid
I, that are necessary in the digestio
| and assimilation of food. This is
yery potent cause of the indigestfo
and dyspepsia so prevalent in thi
: country. 1t is in its local action, nc
!, its constitutional effect, that alur
does great injury.
: sit is to the interest of our peopl
. that this law be not repealed"
5 J. A. B. Adcock, M. D., of Warren
0 burg, Mo-, member OF the State Boar
y of Health, of date September 1s, 1870
says:
~ think that the use of alum in bal
;, ing powders is running useless ris
as very small amount of alum take
! into the system daily would be hul
y ful to many persons and the law pr
hibiting it's use works no hardship
: any consumer, therefore let the la
il stand"
G. S. Austin, A. NJ, M. d. of Carol
ton, Mo-, of date August 80, 1902 says
" you may quote me as being oppo
/, ed to the use of alum in anythiI
!, which goes into the stomach. IT'S tr,
q that in baking powder it may be
p finitesimal in quantity. yet the cont
+ uius and constant use is very liable
produce irreparable structural change
and injury"
I, DR. John w. Angle, Assistant Phys
4 o.