Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1891 — Chewing Gum. [ARTICLE]

Chewing Gum.

The fine distinctions required by legal definitions frequently threaten confusion, even when the facts appear to be perfectly clear. There is no robm for doubling the inconvenience and danger which may arise freyn the accumulation of a mass of paraffine wax in the intestines; and yet when any legal interference with the Bale of chexving gum, containing 50 per cent, of this substance, is attempted, the charming uncertainties and quibbles wbich arise are more amusing than edifying. In a recent prosecution at the Hanley Borough Police Court it was first contended that the fourteenth section of the Food and Drugs Act, whioh relates to the division of the substance in the presence of the seller at the time of purchase, had not been complied with. Thou it was submitted that the article was not one of food, since it was sold simply for chewing. Then it was suggested that as sweets ate so utterly indefinite in their composition, it waß impossible to deal with them as ordinary articles of food. And the climax was reuched in the cot»4o»tion that it was not sold to the prejudice of the purchaser, as the complainant said he did not intend to eat it. This was extremely ingonious, but the purchaser happened to be the inspector of nuisances, who was merely collecting evidence. The case ended with the imposition of a fine, on the ground that the substance was sold to the prejudice of the purchaser, inasmuch as it was not in the nature of the substance and quality of the article demanded by the purchaser, who asked for gum and got paraffine wax. If the case is ever taken to a higher ocrart, it is quite possible that it may be argued that tue complainant did not ask for “gum,” but for “chewing gum;” that he did not get “paraffine wax,” but only 50 per cent, of “paraffine wax,” and the remaining 50 per cent, of unknown ingredients, which sufficiently bring the substance within Ihe legal meaning of “chewing gum.” But what is “chewing gum V* The following definition might be suggested : A substance of very variable composition, ignorantly employed by by children, which, when containing paraffine wax, may lead to very grave dangers, and the sale of which should prohibited. —London Lancet.