Di\ Scudamore on Mineral Waters. 31-1" 



ill the usual way, I should certainly coincide with Dr. Scuda- 

 more, for it appears to me that neither tincture of galls, nor 

 prussiate of potash, produces any appearance of iron. The ques- 

 tion has, however, been set at rest by Mr. Children, who finds 

 that, by evaporating the water, a very minute portion of iron is 

 discoverable by prussiate of potash ; but whether that quantity 

 of iron, which cannot be detected by the common means, is 

 likely to be useful in medicine is not forme to determine, but I 

 may, perhaps, be allowed to question it. The quantity of ironr 

 contained in a gallon of Malvern water, according to Mr. Chil- 

 dren's experiments, scarcely exceeds one seventieth of a grain. 



Some difference of opinion also exists between Drs. Scuda- 

 more and Philip as to the existence of carbonate of soda in it* 

 I evaporated a portion both from Holywell, and St. Anne's Well, 

 to about 1-30 of its original volume, but I could not discover: 

 the slightest trace of any alkali. It appears, therefore, to mer 

 that Dr. Scudamore's statement is correct. In closing my ob- 

 servations upon this work, I wish to state that I cannot admit, 

 with Dr. Scudamore, the position laid dow^n by the late Dr. 

 Murray, that when certain acids and alkahne bases are mixed 

 together in solution^ such salts are most likely to be formed as 

 are most soluble in water. If I put together certain quantities 

 of sulphate of soda, and muriate of lime, precipitation takes: 

 place, because sulphate of lime is formed ; but is it likely that^ 

 'ds this theory supposes, the whole of the sulphate of lime forme(t 

 is thrown down? Indeed, if I understand Dr. Murray's position, 

 it amounts to this — that supposing I mix together sufficient 

 quantities of muriate of lime and sulphate of soda, to form one 

 hundred parts of sulphate of lime, that sulphate of hme will only 

 be formed if there be not water enough to hold it in solution; 

 hut this would seem hke attributing the property of insolubility 

 to a compound before its formation. 



It has, indeed, been attempted to strengthen this statement 

 by arguing from the effects which certain mineral waters pro- 

 duce, or are supposed to produce, and which, according to com- 

 mon views, contain only sulphate of lime and muriate of soda;- 

 these waters are imagined to owe their good effects to con- 

 taining not sulphate, but muriate of lime. It would, hovi^ever, I 

 think, require numerous experiments to prove that the samer 

 quantity of lime is more active as a medicine when combined 

 with muriatic than sulphuric acid, when exhibited in equat 

 quantities. I do not deny, but I question the fact ; and if it 

 should be proved, it may, as far as I am competent to give an 

 opinion, be derived from the muriatic acid as from the lime. 



1 have not, in examining this work hitherto, expressed any 

 decided opinion as to its merits ; but 1 may add, that the chemical 

 part of it appears to have been conducted with ability ; andf 

 if the medical applications of the waters, have been as ably given: 

 as the chemical history, (of which I entertain no doubt,) the- 

 work must prove useful both to the chemist and physician. — Ed. 



