266 Analysis of the: Mineral Waters (Oct. 
of their ingredients, and that the action of saline substances: is in- 
ereased, and considerably modified: when they are in a state of great 
dilution. 
» Independent of its purgative operation, and its adaptation to the 
treatment of diseases in which this is advantageous, its composition 
may probably render it a remedy of efficacy in some constitutional 
affections, particularly. in scrofula. Muriate of lime has attained 
some celebrity in the treatment of this disease ; it is a substance of 
considerable activity in its effects on the living system ; and it will 
probably operate with more effect, and more advantage, in the state 
of dilution in which it is presented in a mineral spring, than when 
given in a more concentrated form. The muriate of soda may coin- 
eide with it in efficacy, and will be of advantage from its, grateful 
taste, and its stimulant action on the stomach: and the chalybeate 
impregnation. will communicate some degree of tonic power. When 
employed in,such cases, it probably ought to be given in smaller 
doses, than when the advantage to be derived from it depends on its 
purgative operation; and it may even prove more advantageous if 
given in a state of greater dilution. I shall in the sequel have to 
state a view of its composition, which connects it with some mineral 
springs of great celebrity, and particularly with the Gath waters. 
Dunblane, as a watering place, would be possessed of considerable 
advantages. Situated between the range of the Ochil Hills and the 
Grampians, it is well sheltered, and hence enjoys a mild atmosphere; 
and the soil, from being a bed of gravel for a number of miles 
around, is extremely dry—an advantage inestimable in a moist cli- 
mate. 
I1—ANALYS!S OF PITCAITHLY WATER. : 
_ The water of Pitcaithly may be regarded as the principal mineral 
water of the saline class in this country. Dr. Donald Monro showed 
that, along with a little mild calcareous earth, it contained muriate 
of soda, with a deliquescent salt, which he inferred to be chiefly 
a calcareous marine,” that is, muriate of lime.* An analysis of 
it was published a number of years ago, executed by Messrs. Stod- 
dart and Mitchell, of Perth. ‘There are different springs, the waters 
of which they found, to be somewhat different in strength. The 
nature of the impregnation is in all of them, however, the same. 
Selecting the strongest, it contains, according to their analysis, the 
following ingredients in an English pint :-— 
Atmospheric air ........e+e.--e- 05 cub. in. 
Carbonic acid gas so... eee eT 
Muriate of soda .........-...... 12°5 grains 
Muriate of lime .........-...204 22°5 
Sulphate of lime........ +... eees 0'7 
Carbonate of lime ............+- O6F 
' * Philosophical Transactions, vol. Ixii. 
+ Statistical Account of Scotland, vol, viii. 
‘ 
