New-York tribune., 1906-07-11
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
PURE FOOD NOT THE ONLY NEED.
Care in Regard to Water and Air Urged
Use OF Preservatives.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: note in your esteemed issue of June 30 an
article headed. Pure Food Bin Passes"
It is certainly gratifying to know that we have
at last Pure Food law. The aduteration Of food
was practised 20 such a large extent that it was
absolutely necessary to place some curb on manu-
lacturers who were dooding the market with
cheap, adulterated foods
The new law will compel labels on all articles
OF preserved food II the public. however. does
not pay heed TO the labels, of what value viii
they he? The public must be taught that there is
no economy in cheap foods which have been adul-
terated with some inferior substance that would
lessen the food value
The preservation of food, however. should not
be considered aduteration, as the preservative is
used 10 prevent the article from deteriorating 1t
Is not the ordinarily preserved food that Injuries
the consumer it Is food that has not been pre-
served that is in condition for the propagation OF
Toxic germs which are a great menace TO life
Ihose who advocate dispensing with mild preserva-
tVes 90 not realize the danger which turks in food
that is not preserved.
Many varieties Of micro nisuos s,rOduce moi
sohous ptomaines. After they are once produced
they are not easily destroyed. The putrefactive
organisms which produce ptomaine poison in such
4rucles as canned meats, head cheese. fresh pork,
hsh ana other animal matter, both raw and cooked
are very dangerous to human life. peculiar feat
ure OF ptomaine poison is that 1t cannot be de-
teeted by sight taste smell. The of
ptonalne poison can be traced to the lack OF fa-
SlIAueS LOT preventing the development or toX1c
boTax or boric acid kept in a clean, healthfu
condition which prevents the formation and propa-
cation of toxic germs.
The Senate. recognizing the value OF mild pre-;
seeLNauNes, accepted an amendment which viii
SIoW borax or boric acid any article of food
Water prior to consumption. Preservatves OF pene-
Taung nature however, could not be removed In
this manner
It is an erroneous supposition to think that pre-
sefVatlves could be used to convert tainted piece
or meat into a sweet, edible condition.
Laws should be enacted and enforced so as to
law will not be Of much value to the masses until
the various state laws are amended so as to con-
Now that the Pure Food law has been enacted
II certainly Will be wise to have all places where
food is prepared investigated. as the condition OF
the food and the health or the nation depend 70 a
certain extent on hygenic surroundings
The spices and condiments that ara used have
comparatively no food value and they are par taken
OF nomentariy to satisfy the palate (Which has
been educated to crave such artcleS) to the detr-
ment Of the digestive organs.
Is not so much, however, what eat as 1t is how
eat. Food must be assimiated to be beneficial;
our rations should be balanced our diet should be
varied. Thorough lnastcation is absolutely neces-
sary to prepare food for the stomach. When per-
bolt their food and wash 1t down with liquids
they are candidates Tor the dySpeptlc brigade.
We can live without food for thirty days or
more; live without water for about seven
days; cannot live without air, however. for 1--WE
should be paid TO our water and air supplies as
there Is to food. There should be vigilant in
buildings, etc, to insure perfect ventilation,
We spend about one-third Of our lives in bed
We must breathe regularly, however, during our
sojourn in Sunderland, and If We breathe pure air
ali night will certainly arise in the morning
we have power within ourselves TO he moderate
enjoy life the Creator intended we should.
New York, July g. 1906 II. H. LANGDON.