Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Adulteration, Nutrition, Narcotics, Disease, Commerce, Phrenology

People mentioned:

Cornelius Donovan

    Discusses the operations of the Joint Stock Lollipop Company which has been 'formed to supply the juvenile population with lozenges free from poison'. Explains that lollipops are adulterated with the same 'indigestible' material, Plaster of Paris, that is used in the construction of phrenologists' busts. Notes that this substance, used as a substitute for sugar, causes 'Immediate death'. Announces that the Lollipop Company has been formed to produce lollipops free from Plaster of Paris and thus to allay the 'feeling of alarm' which is to be expected from consumers of lozenges.