The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-06

any means d1sinterested- Every effort
has been made by the alum trust'-a
combination of alum baking powder
manufacturers repeal the law which
prohibits the manufacture and sale of
these articles in Missouri. The agents
of the trust and the politicians seem 10
have carried on the controversy some
what regardless OF the interests of those
who have the most at stake-the public.
The repeal act failed and the manufac-
ture of alum baking powders in the
State is still a misdemeanor.
Lit Gov John A Lee, having been
criticised for voting upon a tie in the
Senate against the sale of alum baking
powders, does not hesitate to give his
reasons In vigorous communication
to The St Louis papers he says
PUBLIC POISONING.
I could not only do SO consistently,
but conscientiously. I am the publish
ser, and have for years been the editor
Of two trade papers in the food-product
line have studied the subject carefully
and believe that I know it. 1 have
maintained for many years that alum
was harmful and unwholesome food
admixture, and voted to put a label on
the cans. so that those who believe as
[ do. that alum in any quantity intro
duced into the human stomach is a
poison. can know what they are buying
and eating, if we must continue to at
all permit public poisoning for profit.
INJURIOUS EFFECTS.
Many seem to share my views, and
especially those competent to judge. No
one is SO capable of estimating the ef-
feet of an article of food upon the hui
man system as q practicing and expert
enced physician. They are much more
competent in that respect than analyt1-
cal chemists, for the physician almost
daily diagnose conditions of injurious
effects of food products, While chemists
give their opinions from knowledge OF
probable effects. The one is theoretical,
the other practical.
Knowing that this question was com
ing up at this session, I concluded last
August to ascertain the sentiment of
the physicians of Missouri on this sub
iect From a medical directory / select
ed one physician in each county who,
from the information given in the di-
rectory. had. gradua tsdl-at well-known
and reputable medical college, and us
ualIy man of some years practice,
without any knowledge OF his pohtics
I wrote a circular letter to ia physl-
clans, there being that many counties
in Missouri, asking their attention to
the law which was in effect, prohibit
ing the use of alum in baking powder or
any other food product, and asking
whether or not they thought it should
be repealed.
Among many others I received the
following replies. of which publication
was not prohibited OUT OF u sll'ae
number of replies received. only one or
two vaguely stated that they thought
the raw should be repealed for political
reasons.-
OPINIONS OF PHYSICIANS.
The following replies are from physl-
clans of Missouri. men in whose hands
the lives and health of our citizens are
constantly placed. and in whose Judg-
Ynent I have absolute confidence, and IN
whose honesty and sincerity l most
earnestly believe
A. NJ. Conway. NJ. D. Columbia Mo-.
saws. of date of August IS, 1902;
Alum is undoubtedly deleterlous TO
the human system. Some individuals
resist its effect more than others. out
continued use viii gradually impair the
healthful functions. IT is powerful
astringent, and, therefore, poisonous l
would. therefore, recommend that the
law be not repealed.
IT. w. Foster. NJ D.. Butler, No.. I'M
der date August q, 1902, says;
sAIrrn in baking powder Is deIeterl-
Gus and harmful to the healtn. Wouid
suggest that you attempt to deIeal tne
repeal of the present law, believing It 70
he for the welfare and health of the
people"
Carl Brockhausen, NJ D., of Hermann,
No, of date September 3, 1902, says:
Alum is considered by all good au-
thorities one of the mineral polsons- us
total or partial substitution Tor cream
of tartar in baking powder IS an adul-
teration and an injury to health and
should be prohibited by law"
D. Claiborn. NJ. D., Waynesville, Mo,
of date Of September 5, 1902, says:
The bill prohibiting the sale of alum
baking powder meets my hearty ap-
Droval.
THE eating of bread containing alum
for. a protracted time will certainly pro-
7I1ce consultation. as well as numerous
other other diseases