HOME ECONOMICS AND EDUCATION 633 



stomach and intestines, and there were complaints of heartburn. 

 There were also in some cases attacks of dizziness and palpitation 

 of the heart. In a few cases nausea was developed to the extent of 

 vomiting. It can be safely said from the evidence adduced that the 

 administration of sodium sulphite and sulphurous acid, as above 

 indicated, produces a marked influence of an unfavorable character 

 on metabolism. As a result of this action, an assimilation of food 

 materials containing organic phosphorus is retarded. The sulphur 

 balance sheets show what an immense burden has been added to the 

 already overworked kidneys, which are called upon in this case to 

 remove nearly all, if not quite all, of the added sulphur from the 

 body, previously converted, in great part, to sulphuric acid. It is 

 not positively that of a decidedly harmful nature. Another effect 

 which the administration of the sulphur produced, and one of a 

 more serious character still, is found in the impoverishment of the 

 blood in respect of the number of red and white corpuscles therein. 

 (Bur. Chem. Circ. 37.) 



Benzoic acid and benzoates have recently been elaborately con- 

 sidered by Dr. Wiley, whose judgment has been disputed by private 

 concerns which use these substances on a large scale in their prod- 

 ucts. These disputes are yet pending. 



FORMALDEHYDE. 



The formaldehyde in the quantities administered did not pro- 

 duce any marked symptoms before ten days; then headache and 

 pain in the stomach and intestines became general, in many cases 

 producing cramps, and in a few cases attended by nausea and vom- 

 iting. A burning sensation in the throat was reported in the ma- 

 jority of cases. In four cases well marked itching rash appeared 

 on the chest and thighs, causing great discomfort, slight symptoms 

 of this nature being reported in a fifth case. There is increased ab- 

 sorption of the proteid elements of the food, and also of the sulphur 

 and phosphoric acid, accompanied in the first two instances by a 

 decrease in the metabolized elements excreted, and in the last in- 

 stance, namely, phosphoric acid, by a pronounced increase in meta- 

 bolism. 



The final conclusion, therefore, is that the addition of formal- 

 dehyde to foods tends to derange metabolism, disturb the normal 

 functions, and produce irritation and undue stimulation, of the 

 secretory activities, and therefore it is never justifiable. (Bur. 

 Chem. Circ. 42.) 



SACCHARIN. 



Saccharin is an artificial sweetener, which has about five hun- 

 dred times the sweetening power of sugar. Saccharin has anti- 

 septic properties. It has no food value, such as is usually associated 

 with sweetness, and ite elimination throws work on the kidneys. 

 It prevents decay and retards digestion to that extent. The use of 

 saccharin, or any other artificial sweetener in any food product 

 should be forbidden by law. (Tex. E. S. B. 91; N. Dak. E. S. B. 

 57.) 



