Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 October 1893 — A Matter of Health [ARTICLE]

A Matter of Health

Housekeepers faintly realize the danger of an indiscriminate- use of the numerous baking powders nowadays found upon every hand, and which are urged upon consumers with suoh persistency by peddlers and many grocers on account of the big profits made in their sale. Most of those powders are made from sharp and caustic acids and alkalies which burn and inflame the alimentary organs and cause indigestion, heartburn, diarrhival diseases, etc. Sulphuric acid, caustic potash, burnt alum, all are used as gas-producing agents in such baking powders. Most housekeepers are aware of the painful effects produced when these chemicals aro applied to the external flesh. How much more acute must be- thoir cotion upon the delicate internal membranes' Yet unscrupulous manufacturers do not hositare to use them, because they make a very low-cost powder, nor to urge the use of thoir powders so made, by all kinds of alluring advertisements and false representations. All the lowpriced or so-called cheap baking powders, and all powders sold with a gift or prize, belong to this class. Baking powders made from chemically pure cream of tartar and bi-car-bonate of soda are among the most useful of modern culinary devices. They not only make tho preparation of finor and more delicious cookery possible, but they have addod to tho digestibility and wholesomeness of our ford. But baking powders must bo composed of such puro and wholesome ingredients or theymust bo tabooed entirely. Dr. Edsan, Commissioner of Hoalth of New York, in an article in the “Doctor of Hygiene,” indicates that the advantages of a good baking powder and the exemption from the dangers of bad ones in which tho harsh and caustic chemicals are used, are to bo secured by the use of Royal Baking Powder exclusively, and he recommends this to all consumers. “The Royal," he says, “contains nothing but cream of tartar and s>da refined to a chemical purity, which when combined under the influence of heat and moisture produce pure carbonic, or leavening, gas. The two materials used, croam of tartar and soda, are perfectly harmless even when eaten, but in this preparation they are combined in exact compensating weights, so that when ohemical action begins between them in the dough they practically disappear, the substance ofboth having been taken to form carbonlo acid gus.” Hence it is, he says, that the Royal Baking Powdor is the most perfect of all conceivable agents for leavening purposes. It seems almost incredible that any manufacturer or dealer should urge tho sale of baking powders containing injurious chemicals in place of those of a well-known, pure, ana wholesome character, simply for the sake of a few cents a pound greater profit; but since they'do, a few words of warning seem to be necessary.