ALUMINIUM. 
723 
§ 935-] 
lie ascribed the formula Al 2 (C 3 II 5 0 3 ) 3 (C 3 H 4 Na0 3 ) 3 , equal to 15-2 per 
cent, of A1 2 0 3 . 20 to 30 mgrms., administered by subcutaneous in¬ 
jection to frogs, caused death in from ten to twenty-four hours. After 
the injection there was restlessness, and, ultimately, general paralysis of 
the central nervous system. The circulation was not affected ; the heart 
was the last to die. 
For warm-blooded animals he used the double tartrate of sodium and 
aluminium. Beginning with a small dose subcutaneously administered, 
he gradually increased it, and found, under these circumstances, that 
the lethal dose for rabbits was 0*3 grm. per kilo, of body weight; for 
dogs 0-25 grm., and for cats 0-25 to 0*28 grm. ; if, however, a single 
dose was administered, then cats could be killed by 0-15 grm. per kilo. 
The symptoms commenced ten to twelve hours after the injection of a 
large dose, but with a medium dose the symptoms might be delayed for 
from three to four days ; then there were loss of appetite, constipation, 
emaciation, languor, and a disinclination to move. Vomiting and loss 
of sensation to pain followed, the power of swallowing even saliva was 
lost, and a condition supervened similar to bulbar paralysis. However 
true this picture may be when large doses are given subcutaneously, it 
does not follow that hydrate of alumina in small doses, given by the 
mouth, mixed with food, produces any symptoms whatever. 
Alum baking-powders, containing from 30 to 40 per cent, of alum 
mixed with carbonate of soda, used to be found in commerce, and for a 
long time many tons were sold yearly ; it is not usual at present to 
meet with an alum baking-powder. When water is added to such 
powders decomposition takes place, the result being sodic sulphate and 
aluminic hydrate, carbonic acid being given off. Were the hydrate, in 
small doses, capable of producing indigestion or disease of the central 
nervous system, it seems astonishing that, considering the enormous 
number of persons who have used alum baking-powders, there should 
not be some definite evidence of its effect. The senior author and his 
family once used alum baking-powders for months together without any 
apparent injury ; and there is little doubt that alumina hydrate passes 
out of the system mainly by the bowel, without being absorbed to any 
great extent. In a trial with regard to an alum baking-powder at 
Pontypridd (1893), the prosecution advanced the theory, and supported 
it by eminent scientific opinion, that aluminium hydrate was dissolved 
by the hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice, forming chloride of 
aluminium, some of which might be absorbed and enter the circulation ; 
that which was not absorbed in the stomach passed on, and, meeting 
the alkaline fluids of the intestines, was again separated as aluminium 
hydrate, and as such absorbed. 
If this does occur, still there is no direct evidence of its toxic influ¬ 
ence in the small quantities used in baking-powder. It may be pointed 
