MINERAL WATERS. 



595 



manufactured carbonic Hygeia and other waters form 

 I'.wlU'nt additions to the list of beverages. But an 

 excessive amount of carbonic-acid gas causes sickness, 



5 Calcic waters 

 crs< 



j Limestone (carbonate of lime). 

 1 Gypsum (sulphate of lime). 

 fl'ure. 



bonic-acid gas in the stomach to cause death on its 

 entering the blood. 



Sulphureted hydrogen is another irrespira- 

 ble gas, which is found in large quantity in 

 mineral springs, particularly in the colder sul- 

 phur-waters, yet most frequently in regions 

 that have been disturbed by volcanic action. 

 Taken internally, it stimulates the peristaltic 

 action of the intestines, and augments the per- 

 spiration ; in large amount it causes nervous 

 excitement. Sulphur - water baths are seda- 

 tive. 



Other gases, as oxygen, nitrogen, and car- 

 bureted hydrogen, exist in many springs, but 

 have no valuable therapeutic action. 



Classification. These variously constituted 

 mineral waters may be classified in various 

 ways : Either (1) geographically, by the coun- 

 tries in which the different springs are found ; 

 (2) geologically, by the character of the strata 

 through which they flow, and which give them 

 their distinctive properties ; (3) chemically, 

 according to the leading ingredients of their 

 constitution; or (4) therapeutically, by their 

 effects as observed in treatment. There are, 

 indeed, almost as many different classifications 

 referable to these groupings as there are sepa- 

 rate treatises on mineral waters. The most 

 accurate scientific classification is that of M. 

 Durand-Fardel, formulated in 1857, and still 

 unsuperseded. It is as follows : 



CLASSIFICATION OF MINERAL WATERS 

 FARDEL). 



1 Snlnhnr wntAro J With 8alts of sodium. 



1 With salts of lime. 



2. Chloride of sodium S^P 1 ? 1 - . 



< With bicarbonates. 



. | Sulphureted. 



3. Bicarbonated < Bicarbonate of soda. 



waters. 



4. Sulphureted 



waters. 



5. Ferruginous 



waters. 



< Bicarbonate of lime. 

 I Mixed bicarbonates. 

 C Sulphate of soda. 

 J Sulphate of lime, 

 j Sulphate of magnesia. 

 [ Mixed sulphates. 



{Bicarbonated. 

 Sulphated. 

 With salts of manganese. 



For practical convenience, the following 

 lassification, adopted by some recent writers, 

 s the more serviceable : 



( Pure. 

 . Alkaline waters. 1 Acidulous (carbonic acid). 



( Muriated (chloride of sodium). 



Pure. 

 . Saline waters. -j Alkaline. 



( lodo-bromated. 



Alkaline. 



Sulphur waters, -j Saline (chloride of sodium). 

 ( Calcic. 



{Pure. 

 Alkaline. 

 Saline (chloride of sodium). 

 Calcic. 

 Aluminous. 



Calcic. 



1. Alkaline Waters. Bethesda, Bladon 

 Springs, Buffalo Lithia, California Seltzer, Ca- 

 pon Springs, Carlsbad, Ems, Highland Springs, 

 Marienbad, Medical Lake, Mont Dore, Rock- 

 bridge Baths, St. Louis Spring, Sheldon Spring, 

 Tarasp, Vichy. 



The leading constituents of the alkaline wa- 

 ters are the carbonates of soda, potassa, lithia, 

 lime, and magnesia. They are especially valu- 

 able when they are of high temperature, as at 

 Vichy and Carlsbad, in the cure of gout oc- 

 curring in persons of full habit. They often 

 relieve, if they do not cure, diabetes; and are 

 often successful in the treatment of uric-acid 

 gravel, of chronic bronchitis, of gall-stones, of 

 acid dyspepsia, of obesity, and of catarrh of the 

 bladder. As a rule, they are not to be taken 

 by anaemic or chlorotic patients, as their effects 

 are lowering. 



Some of the more noticeable alkaline waters, 

 foreign and American, are as follows : 



Bladon Springs, Choctaw county, Ala., are 

 four in number ; they are situated in a pine-for- 

 est, and are nearly pure alkaline springs, con- 

 taining from 4*11 to 5'79 grains of carbonate of 

 soda to the pint, and are charged with consid- 

 erable carbonic-acid gas. They are frequented 

 by Southern people. Access is via Mobile and 

 the Tombigbee river, or ma Demopolis, on the 

 Alabama Central Railroad. 



The Buffalo Lithia Springs, Mecklenburg 

 county, Va., are of much value in curing uric- 

 acid stone, rheumatic gout, and diseases of the 

 uric-acid diathesis. They are diuretic. 



The Capon Springs and Baths of Hampshire 

 county, W. Va., have a temperature of 65 '5 

 Fahr., and are used both internally and as 

 baths. They are highly charged with carbon- 

 ic-acid gas, and are valuable waters. There 

 are hotel accommodations, and a large bathing 

 establishment with plunge, shower, douche, 

 and warm baths. The waters are alterative, 

 mildly aperient, and decidedly diuretic, and are 

 comparable in their action to those of Vichy 

 and Carlsbad. Capon Springs are pleasantly 

 situated in a gorge of the North mountain, and 

 are surrounded by picturesque scenery. 



Carlsbad, in Bohemia, the queen of Austrian 

 spas, has the most desirable reputation of all 

 mineral springs of its class. The waters are 

 thermal, and have been known since the mid- 

 dle ages. There are one hundred and seventy- 

 three thermal springs, ranging from 84 to 166 

 Fahr. ; the constituents are similar in all, being 

 chiefly the sulphate and the carbonate of soda 

 and the chloride of sodium. They are taken 

 internally and externally in many kinds of bath ; 

 mud or peat baths, made with the mineral wa- 

 ters, are also given. The treatment is very 

 effective in the cure of digestive and liver 



