Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-05-08

fxed and accentuated by the use of a
very Questionable substance, namely,
sulphate of copper. Added red coloring
matters are often found in wines. Pre-
served cherries are first bleached so
as to become white, then colored a
beautiful red, and many other objec-
tionable practices of similar kinds are
INDUCED in.
1t is probably true that the palata-
bility of foods is increased by having
them presented in attractive forms,
and to this end the natural colors
which food products have and which
are regarded as indexes of purity and
excellence should be retained as care
fully as possible. This, however, does
not seem to justify the practice Of any
deception by the use of artificial colors
ly colored food product the attractive
and more pronounced colors which
characterize the better kinds Of food
of that character.
It follows from the above general
statements that the addition to food
product of any substance whatever,
which in itself Is injurious, is rep
rehensible practice. Such addition can
be justified only when it is clearly
shown that, without this addition, the
danger arriving from the consumption
Of the food is far greater than that
caused by the addition of the objec-
tionable substance. For this reason
the artificial preservation of foods In
tended for distant points, for long voy-
ages, for mining and numbering camps
and in certain cases for use in the
army and navy, may be justified.
Again, when foods are necessarily
transported long distances and sub
| jected to the vicissitudes of an ocean
voyage, there may be just cause for
stances. Butter, for instance, sent
from Australia to England, can hard
ly reach the home market in state
fit for consumption unless preserved
with borax. For the same reason it is
customary for English merchants in
ordering preserved meats from the
United States to specify that they
|
ment But while meat shipped from
Chicago to Liverpool might require
an outside application of borax it does
not follow that such Is the case when
the shipment is only from Chicago to
New York. Butter which is shipped
from Melbourne to London may need
dose of borax. while the same prod
| 10
go safely without it.
The importation of adulterated and
misbranded food products into the
United States is now forbidden by law
and such products are inspected by the
department of agriculture Nearly al
the states have laws forbidding the
adulteration of foods within their
boundaries.
while it is not to be expected that
every form of food adulteration can
be prevented by any kind of legisla-
ton, it is reasonable to expect that
such an adulteration, when detected,
shall be looked upon in the same light
as any ordinary offense against the
, law. The great trouble in the en-
forcement of food laws heretofore has
been in the fact that it is difficult to
persuade jury that an act of this
kind is criminal. The public con
science must be quickened in this re
gard. An effort should be made tc
place the matter in the true light
namely that food adulteration assists
! in deceiving the purchaser. AS soor
as this fact is realized, convictions Of
those charged with food adulteration
when they are really guilty, will be cas-
. ly secured. In other words, the prac
tice of food arbitration to certain
extent resembles any effort to procure
money under false pretenses This is
recognized everywhere as crimina
act.
When 1t is further considered tina
statutes relating to food adultera
atoms, especially Of national char
acter, also include the regulation o.
the adulteration Of drugs, the grea'
Importance Of the subject is evident
Those who are we'll and strong may
suffer no particular harm from foot
| adulteration; but the sick and the
weak, who depend largely upon thu
character Of the remedies prescribed
J for their recovery, deserve to be pro
tected against spurious, false and imi
} tated foods and medicines.
The recent discovery Of the use o.
wood alcohol In beverages was ONLY
impressed upon the public notice BY
the great number OF deaths 1t caused
In this case the practice OF adulter
ton, as can be seen, is distinctly dan
gerous and even fatal.
The same principle, however, per
vades the regulation of both foods AM
medicines, namely, honesty and free
dom from deception. If remedy Il
really efficient and capable of doin,
: what is claimed for it, it does no
seem that there is any reasonable ex
cuse for failing to make its propertie
known. Publicity will prove an effec
4 tive remedy, when regulated by prope
. statutes, for the evils of the adulter
I alton of foods and drugs.
Fortunate Missourians.
!, "When I was q druggist, at Liyonia
a Mo !" writes r. ]. Dryer. now Q
. Grasyille, Mo, "three of my custom
ers we're permanently cured Of con
9 sumption by DR.. Kings New Dlscoy
d cry, and are we'll and strong today
o One was trying to sell his propert
: and move to Arizona, but after usin
t New Discovery short time he foun,
it unnecessary to do so. l regard Dr.
s Kfpris Now niccouoru DC tho nnoc