ADULTERATIONS OF ALIMENTARY SUBSTANCES. 289 
the salt resulting from the extraction of saltpetre. Some of 
these salts contained a compound of copper arising from the 
boilers in which these products were evaporated. We 
have seen white salt destined for the soldiers ; this salt was 
salt of varech, which was reduced to small grains by pass- 
ing through a sieve of copper-wire, covered with verdigris. 
7. -0/ Fecula. 
Fecula is mixed with the carbonate of lime. Quite re- 
cently we have found some which was mixed with 
alabaster, arising from the manufacture of pendulums and 
various objects of art. The proportions of powder of ala- 
baster, added to fecula, have been ascertained to be from 
six to seven per cent. This fecula was, however, contained 
in bags bearing a printed label as follows: — " Potato-fecula, 
purified for alimentary use and for children."* 
8. -0/ Sugar. 
Sugar has been adulterated with sugar of fecula, earthy 
matter and sugar of milk. These substances are not, it is 
true, injurious to health ; but they are cheaper than the 
sugar for which they are substituted.! 
9.-0/ Chocolate. 
The chocolate sold in Paris is often mixed with fecula, 
farinas and sometimes with an inert powder prepared by 
bruising cocoa-nut shells. These substances are inert it is 
true ; but we should not buy the chocolate containing 
them if we were informed of the fact by the label. 
* The Administration having knowledge of this fact, because Sieur R., 
manufacturer of objects of alabaster, had offered his powder at various estab- 
lishments, to merchants of good faith, the Prefect of Police ordered investiga- 
tions on the subject. 
■j- This fraud had attained such a height, that enormous masses of ice were 
manufactured to be mixed with sugar. 
VOL. X. NO. IV 
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