Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-14

The interest of the public in what
is Known as the 'alum fight is wide
spread. The Missouri legislature has
been the great storm center of the COLI
troversy 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
combination of alum baking powder
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 to have carried on the contro--
versy somewhat regardless of the in
terests of those who have the most at
stake-the public. The repeal act fail
ed, and the manufacture of alum bak-
ing powders in the state is Still mis-
demeanor.
Lieutenant Governor John A. Lee,
having been criticised for voting upon
tie in the senate against
the sale of alum baking
powders, does not hesitate to give his
reasons. In a vigorous communication
to the ST. Louis papers. he says
Public Poisoning.
| could not only do so consistently,
but conscientiously. | am the publish
er, and have for many years been the
editor, of two trade papers in the food
product line, have studied the subject
carefully and believe that l know it,
] have maintained for many years that
alum was q harmful and unwholesome
food admixture, and voted to put a la
bel on the cans, so mat those who be-
lieve as do, that alum in any quantity
introduced into the human stomach is
a poison, can know what they are buy
ing and eating, if we must continue to
at all permit public poisoning for pro-
fit.
Injurious Effects.
Many seem to share my views, and
especially those competent to Judge.
No one is so capable of estimating the
effect OF an article of food upon the
human system as a practicing and eX-
s perlenced physician. They are much
more competent in that respect than
analytical chemists, for the physician
almost dailr diagnoses conditions OF
injurious cilects of food products
while chemists give their opinions
from a knowledge of probable effects.
The enc is theoretical, the other prac.
tical.s=
Knowing that this question was com
ing up at this session, 1, concluded last
August to ascertain the sentiment of
the physicians of Missouri on this sub
ject From medical directory | Sc.
lected one physician in each county
who, from the information given in the
directory. had graduated at a well
known and reputable medical college
Iat ly q ~
practice, without any knowledge of his
politics
| wrote circular letter to ia ply
sicians, there being that many coun
ties in Missouri, asking their attention
to the law, which was in effect, prohib
iting the use of alum in baking powder
or any other food product, and asking
whether or not they thought it SHOULD
be repealed
Anog many others | received the
following replies. OF which publication
was not prohibited. Out of the entire
number OF replies received, only ont
or two vaguely stated that the,
thought the law should be repealed
for political reasons:-
Opinions of Physicians.
The following replies are from ply
sicians OF Missouri, men in who's
hands the llves and health OF our citi
zens are constantly placed, and il
whose Judgment | have absolute conf
dence, and in whose honesty and sin
certify | most earnestly believe:-.
A, NJ. Conway, M. D., Columbia, Mo
says. of date August %, 1902:
Alum is undoubtedly deleteriou
to the human system. Some individ
uals resist its effect more than Others
but continued use will gradually In
pair the healthflll functions. 1t is
powerful astringent and, therefore
poisonous. would, therefore, recon
mend that the law be not repealed"
T. w. Foster, NJ D., Butler, Mo
under date August 81. 1902, says:
alum in baking powder is deleter
GUS and harmful to the health
would suggest that you attempt t
defeat the repeal OF the present Law
believing it to be for the welfare an
health OF the people"
Carl Brockhausen. M. D., of He
mann, Mo-, of date September 8, 100.
says:
''Alum is considered by all good a,
thorities one of the mineral poison
It's total or partial substitution fe
cream of tartar in baking powder
an adulteration and an injury
herlth, and should be prohibited b
law"
D. Claiborn, M. D., Waynesville, Nc
J. of date September 5. 1902, says:
THE bill prohibiting the sale {
alum baking powder meets my heart
approval.
The eating of bread containin
alum for a protracted time will ce
tainly produce constipation, as we
as numerous other diseases"
T. ". Baldwin, M. D.. Forsyth, No
of date September 10, 1902, says:
In my opinion, alum in baking pc,
der is injurious. indorse the actic
of the legislature in prohibiting il
admixture Of alum in baking-powd,
compounds, and trust the law will III
be repealed"
J. R. Boyd, NJ. d., Springfield, M,