C 359 1 



writers, it has been fufpeded, and not without 

 reafon, that the water nnight thus receive a flight 

 impregnation from the metal. — Galen and Viiruvius 

 loudly condemn leaden pipes for th^ purpofc of 

 conveying water, becaufe their internal furface con- 

 trails a covering of white lead. Dr. Heherden 

 kept water in which lead had been immerfed twelve 

 years: the water exhibited a whitifli powder at the 

 bottom, and gave a brown tinge to a folution of 

 orpiment, and volatile tin6lure of fulphur — proofs 

 of the prefence of lead. Sir George Bakery how- 

 ever, repeated the experiment by keeping water in 

 a leaden tube, but at the end of two months the 

 water discovered no fcnfible impregnation by the 

 above tefts. He relates however, on the teftimony 

 of Br, fVally that a family in Worcefter fuffered a 

 long tedious indifpofition, with fome fymptoms of 

 this fpoifon, in confequence of daily ufing a hard 

 aluminous water. On examining the pump, the 

 leaden cylinder was found corroded, and even per- 

 forated by the water, although it had been repaired 

 only three years before. On removing to another 

 houfe fupplied with better water, the family at 

 length recovered their wonted health. From thefe 

 fa(5ls it would appear, that water, under certain cir- 

 cumftances, is capable of corroding lead, fo as to 

 prove injurious to health. Some authors afiirm> 



others 



