174 Sea-water. 
coal ; but by being exposed for some time to the air, the dis 
tilled sea-water loses this unpleasant quality, and then it does 
not differ from fresh water derived from the purest source; 
and both have equally stood every chemical test to which they 
have been exposed. The chemical properties of this water 
having thus been determined, itremains to give an account of 
the effects upon the individuals who underwent the experiment. 
These are the principal results: 
Brest. During the first days, those who drank the water, 
complained of a weight upon the stomach. This indisposition, 
which was the only one they experienced, scon decreased upon 
taking exercise, and totally went off by an additional ounce 
of biscuit added to their common ration. One of them, on 
29th day, had a few symptoms, but which he himself attributed 
to an indigestion, from some bacon he had eaten. Eight i 4 
viduals drank twenty-five pints a day, rather more than three 
pints each—(N. B. The French pint contains very near fifty- 
seven cubic inches of English measure, and is the regulation 
size for the claret or Bordeaux bottle; but in general the bot- 
tles are rather smaller. The French pint is therefore equal to 
rather more than nineteen-twentieths of an English quart, wine 
measure.) 
Toulon. The results obtained at the arsenal of this tow” 
were not less decisive or satisfactory. The six persons whe 
made the experiment acquired a greater degree of freshness in 
their appearance, and were much fatter. Their daily 
sumption of distilled water was nine pounds (poids de mart) 
for drink, and eleven pounds for cooking. This is nearly the 
same relative quantity as those at Brest. ; 
Rochefort. The experiments here have not been made with 
the same regularity; because the fifteen persons fixed upo 
had all agreed to say they were very ill. The two principal 
ones complained of violent cholics and diarrheeas; but i 
plot was discovered, and upon being put upon the sick list, 
(a la diette,) they were laughed at by their companions. ' 
one of them was really indisposed; on the contrary, many 
thought they experienced some good effect in regard 1 
infirmities under which they had long laboured. 
