Ralston Purina Co., the St. Louis-based pet...

Ralston Purina Co., the St. Louis-based pet food and consumer products company, said second-quarter profit rose to $93.3 million from $71.5 million in the year-earlier period, with gains in nearly all its divisions. The only division to report a drop was its Eveready Battery division, which was down slightly. The company said its lower domestic results reflected increased advertising and promotion in a highly competitive market.