March 19, 1853
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmAdulteration of Lard
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Tee Pharmaceutical Society of London have taken up the subject of the adulteration of American lard, and are submitting various samples to analysis. [The adulteration of American lard above alluded to, and which is being made the subject of scientific inquiry in England, can be easily explained as far as regaids our own country :—it is of constant occurrence, in the West, that many ot the hogs fall down through fatigue or weakness during their journey in droves to the Eastern markets, and have to be killed on the spot. As the only available means of turning their carcasses to pecuniary advantage, they are submitted to the action of a press, and thus forced down into a substance sold as lard, which, from not having been melted, must necessarily contain a large amount of foreign matter, the product of the flesh and blood of the animal. It would, however, be preferable to melt down afterwards this substance, when, perhaps, the adulteration complained of would be found inaccurate.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
