6 BULLETIN 103, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



as demonstrated in direct tests with different baking powders on 

 human subjects. 1 There is no evidence in our results to indicate that 

 the occasional and ordinary use of bread, biscuits, or cake prepared 

 with aluminum baking powder tends to injure the digestion. The 

 amount of saline cathartic that would be ingested under conditions 

 of normal diet would be very small and would provoke no catharsis 

 or symptoms of any land." 



One other effect of the administration of compounds of aluminum 

 is noted by Dr. Taylor, namely, a distinct decrease of phosphates in 

 the urine and a corresponding increase of phosphates in the stools. 

 But the extent of this change is too slight for it to have any material 

 meaning or effect. 



CONCLUSIONS OF THE REFEREE BOARD. 



With the results of these independent experiments agreeing so well, 

 the Referee Board were enabled to draw up a unanimous report, signed 

 by all the members, namely: Ira Remsen, president of Johns Hop- 

 kins University, chairman; Russell H. Chittenden, professor of 

 physiological chemistry in Yale University and director of the Shef- 

 field Scientific School; John H. Long, professor of chemistry in the 

 Northwestern University Medical School; Alonzo E. Taylor, Benja- 

 min Rush professor of physiological chemistry in the University of 

 Pennsylvania; and Theobald Smith, professor of comparative path- 

 ology in Harvard University. 



In their report the board first define their understanding of the 

 terms "small quantity" and "large quantity," as applied to alum 

 baking powders, as follows: 



By the term " small quantity " we understand sucli an amount as may be ingested in 

 the normal use of biscuits, pastry, or other articles leavened with baking powder, as 

 these foods are practically used in the ordinary American family. This amount will 

 not average more than 25 to 75 milligrams 2 (0.39 to 1.16 grains) of aluminum daily 

 for the days of consumption of such articles. 



1 "We must not, however, be oblivious to the fact," says Dr. Taylor, 

 who conducted part of these investigations, "that a saline cathartic 

 residue results from the reaction of every form of known baking pow- 

 der now commonly employed. The use of cream of tartar or tartaric 

 acid baking powder leaves in the alimentary tract a residue of tartrates 

 which exhibit the action of a saline cathartic and of diuresis [excessive 

 excretion of urine] as well. The so-called phosphate baking powder 

 leaves as a residue of reaction sodium phosphate, again a saline 

 cathartic. And aluminum baking powder leaves as a residue of 

 reaction sodium sulphate, a saline cathartic. Apparently therefore, 

 at present at least, the use of baking powder is associated with the 

 introduction into the alimentary tract of a certain amount of saline 

 cathartic, the salt differing with the use of the particular type of 

 baking powder." 



2 This is approximately equivalent to one-quarter to three-quarters of a level teaspoonful of alum baking 

 powder. 



