1815.J ° of Dunblane and Pitcaithly. 36) > 
water, to obtain it entirely—proving that it does not pre-exist in the 
water dissolved by an excess of carbonic acid, but that it is produced 
during the evaporation, and must therefore be formed by the action 
of carbonate of soda on muriate of magnesia. 
This view of the composition of this water accords much better 
than the other both with its sensible qualities and its medicinal 
powers. Its taste after the carbonic acid has escaped from it, on 
exposure to the air, is rather strongly alkaline, which would scarcely 
be the case if it contained only four grains of crystallized carbonate 
of soda in a pint, but which is to be expected if it contain 18 grs. 
It operates as an antacid and diuretic, and is productive of much 
benefit in all dyspeptic affections, in diseases of the urinary organs, 
and in those general affections of the system which require a mild 
tonic power. There are few mineral waters, Dr. Saunders observes, 
which have acquired a higher reputation; and there are few, he 
adds, that deserve greater consideration, from the real medicinal 
virtues it possesses. It will be difficult to give a satisfactory account 
of the origin of these virtues if we regard it as water impregnated 
with carbonic acid, holding in solution so minute a portion of car- 
bovate of soda, with the larger proportions of muriate of soda and 
carbonates of magnesia and lime. But if we consider it as contain- 
ing along with its free carbonic acid a considerable quantity of car- 
bonate of soda, with smaller proportions of muriate of soda, muriate 
of magnesia, and muriate of lime, we assign to it a composition of 
much greater power, and adequate to account for the effects it pro- 
duces. Such is the activity of this water, that its medium dose is 
only half an English pint, a degree of power which accords much 
better with the one view of its composition than with the other.* 
Large quantities of Seltzer water have been imported into this 
country, and artificial preparations of it are in frequent use. If 
these are founded on Bergman’s view of its composition, they can 
scarcely succeed ; probably, therefore, this is not attempted. The 
view which | have suggested renders its artificial preparation much 
more easy. ‘The ingredients may be dissolved in water, and the 
solution impregnated with carbonic acid gas; or, what is easier, 
* The water of Malvern may be regarded as of similar composition, only muck 
weaker, aud without any free carbonic acid.. Dr. Wilson’s analysis gives the fol- 
lowing ingredients, and their proportions in a gallon :— 
Grains, 
APD OUME DE LRDO Rg cn .cinicdid ca’ s,44 placid dvcee, Oath 
DUST, Ss Pe bial: ublaae ia oS iyeted go". 8.8 d 1°6 
MOS NOMA\ 5 ti cpining.s aibeigie vie beat ni CLO hoe 
od STOMG « ones din AGtbIG 4,8 tialgine iS ae « 0°625 
Sulphate of soda .,........ gyiniviee's Reisepesdcicd 2 BeO 
Mibrigte of; GO0B usec liiisaidniad Cp abhemer'<790 va) DOD 
Beni Wiitied.«' sna ahnateeinaiste dn ditenie os ganencnierh OGL 
The muriate of soda, there is every probability, is a product of the operation, 
formed by the action of carbonate of soda on muriate of lime; or if sulphate of 
time formed part of the residuum, as is probable, by the action of sulphate of soda 
go muriate of lime, ; 
