The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-11-18
MANY A HEADACHE
IN BORACIC FOOD
DR.. Wiley Tells Dangers of
PreserYatiVes Used.
He EXPLAINS TESTS MADE
Bleary Eyes Symptom Noticed in
Subjects Who Partook of Elk
perimental Viands.
HE EXPLAINS TESTS MADE

NEW YORK. Nov. 1&-Bleary eyes,
headaches, loss OF weight and other IN
pleasant results from the use OF boraS
and boraeic acid as personalities IN
food We're effectively described by Dr.
II W. Wiley. chief OF the Bureau of
Chemistry in the United States Depart
menL OF Agriculture, at the Academy Of
Medicine, here last night.
In giving the results of his expert
ments on twelve young men. as con-
Quoted az the Government laboratory in
Washington, DR.. Wiley came 10 the con-
clusion that the preservatives were inim-
icai TO health, not necessary for the pre-
servation Of food. and that their use
should be prohibited.
In this attitude he was upheld by Dr.
q. L. Peabody, Health Commissioner
Darlington, Or. JaeOby, and others who
were present. who cited instances of
the harmful effects OF formalin in milk
and fiuor IN bottled beer.
No Previous Theories.
When we began our experiments. q"
said DR.. Wiley. I'VE had no theories TO
substanttate or any precOnceived ideas
After administering b0rax and boracic
acid many outward signs were detected
in our subjects without the need OF the
chemical balance. In every instance
there was a marked loss Of weight.
Whether We gave the doses in a short
series 20 the limit Of federation or dur
ing long periods OF nifty davs there
were serious disturbances OF functions
In every instance there was Married
loss OF weight.
When the doses were administered In
increasing. quantities, there was devel-
Oped a feeling OF fullness IN the stomach
and head. The men disclosed bleary
eyes and developed marked and continu-
ability 10 do mental work The men
upon whom We experimental We're
either clerks IN the department or as
sistant chemists In the laboratory, and
they complained that they were unable
10 do their work as they should,
I'VE found no nausea, as the German
physicians did, nor dio We find that
small doses. long continued, proved
harmless. Our results showed a middle
position between these extremes.
Hard on the Kidneys.
The use of bOrax was proved to be
especially hard on the already over
worked kidneys. The use OF such pre-
servatives are certainly not necessary
in this country. and as they are open
10 suspicion their use should be dis
cOuraged.
THE position in England is different
from the United States. England de-
ponds on distant countries for her meat
ana butter and IL needs 10 have them
packed ia boraX.
III / were going on a long excursion
or an exploring expedition, I would
rather have b0raX in my food than have
IL spoiled. But ! would prefer TO get
my food without II.
"A man can eat bOraX without much
danger, and yet that does not Justify
its use. II used constantly and in large
quantities il viii undoubtedly produce
diminution or weight loss of appetite
and fullness in the head. Where these
preserVatiVes are used their use should
be made known on the label"
AT the conclusion OF the discussion
DR. Wiley added that ne was now en-
gagged in tbs third year OF his expert
mental work with regard to preserYa-
tives. But he had spoken only OF the
results found during the first year in
the use OF borax and boracio acid. The
results OF the second years experiments
had not yet been tabulated.