Daily Arizona silver belt., 1907-09-10
SOME POISON FOODS
Scientists Have Discovered Why They Prove Irritating to Many Stomachs

Woods Hutchinson, M. D., contributes to Mcclure s Magazine for September an article separating three classes of 'poison foods, commonly used in small quantities without harmful effect, from the comestibles that form the sta pies of diet. Indeed, some combna- tions of the few kinds of mammalian meats, maize, wheat, rice, butter, oil, sugar and salt, "two-thirds of the mon- ey expended for food by every civilized race and most barbaric ones" goes to purchase:
 Science has, of course, long ago vim dicated tine good sense of humanity's selection by showing that they contain the highest degree of fuel-value, digesti- bility and freedom from injurious re- suits that is to be had for the price-in most eases, indeed, at any price.
 The virulent poison of the cassava root can be extracted, and its starch is perfectly edible. The tubers of the potato also contain modicum of poi son, which cooking eliminates. These roots represent small group of "poi son foods. v
 The second and main group has but just been "found out" scientifically speaking, although human stomachs long ago detected its influence. Peas, beans, chestnuts, peanuts and all nuts, brown bread and cheese possess nutri- tive value at least equal to the staples, and have, therefore, been much affected by the faddists. Of these Dr. Hutchin- son says
 "Studies made from another point of view in the laboratories are beginning to throw a flood of light on the reason to meet with favor on the part of the public, revealing the surprising fact that many articles of food contain, com bined with their high percentage of nutritive value substances which are ir- ritating to the stomach, disturb diges- tion, or may even behave as active poi sons v
 As for the bean-B0ston take notice --' coiled amid it's rich store of pro- teid and fat, like guardian dragons, lie an aromatic oil and bitter alkaloid, both poisonous to the susceptible stom- ach in small amounts, and to the aver age one in larger.' If someone could invent process of surely extracting its poisonous elements he would not only confer a general benefit, but would save many devoted lives of misguided diet reformers and vegetarians The banana,
 nI gta at ite proper ripeness, has an irritant in its aavoring essences. Why nuts can never form staple is thus indicated:
 "An irritating principle has been found present in all nuts, partly in the kernel itself and partly in the skin which surrounds the kernel, which, even in cases of very moderate amounts, IS a very decided irritant to the digestive canal. Peanuts, which, of course, are not nuts at all, but the seeds of spe- cies of pea which is artificially caused to develop underground-are particu- larly strong in these poisonous ex- tracts.
 The third class belongs to the order of "casual criminals" that is, when eaten with due moderation they are of high practical value as garnishes-most fruits, especially strawberries, several varieties of common vegetables and some o'sea foods.'' The tomato, which has the worst popular reputation, "seems comparatively free from actual offense.'' Of coffee and tea much de- bends on the mode of preparation and the amounts drunk, but "few discov- cries of the wit of man have added more to the comfort and happiness of life and less to it's miseries than tea and cof- fee ''-New York Times.