BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 571 



WATER. 



SECT. VI. 



lVatet\ in Tts natural flate, is nowhere to be found entirely fimplc 

 and pure; but it is generally treated of by authors, under two 

 heads, common, and mineral. Common water admits of all thofe 

 various impregnations, which are not obvious to the fmeli or tafle, 

 and have no fenfible a£lion on the human body. The impregnations 

 in mineral waters will affedt the body, and health, according to 

 the properties of the fubftances diflblved, or contained in them ; and 

 in proportion as the quantity of fuch heterogeneous particles be 

 greater or lefs. But it is to be obferved, that this definition is not 

 compleatly fatisfa£tory : there is a middle clafs of water, which is 

 uncompounded with any mineral or foflile fubftance, and yet may 

 contain particles imperceptible to the eye or tafte, different from 

 what are ufually found in common water. It may, for example, con- 

 tain the fubtile ova, or exuv'ia, of various infeds, or a volatile gas, 



fo well procure any better. They are bloated, pallid, emaciated, without appetite, and generally 

 itic of droplies or confuniptions. 



The overieer lliould never deliver an allowance of rum to the white fervants to ufe at their 

 pleafure, unlefs he can rely on their difcretion and fobriety ; it ought to be ferved to them every 

 day ready mixed with water; at leail this might be the conftant fure penalty of their being ever 

 found inebriated. 



The beil way of leaving off" a habit of dram-drinking is, by degrees to mix water with the 

 drams; to lelfen the quantity of fpirit every diy, and keep to the fame, or an encreafed quantity 

 of water, till, in about the comfe of a week, no fpirit, or but very little, is ufed. 



By this means the party will futfcr no inconvenience, hut reap great benefit, as has been 

 expeiienced by many. 



If any gnawing is lett in the llomach, a little warm broth is a good remedy. 



The appetite always increafes after leaving otf this cuftom of fwilling raw fpirit, unlefs by 

 too long a continuance the tone of the rtomach is deftioyed. 



In this mclacholy llate. 



Take One ounce of elixir proprietatls. 

 Three drachms of elixir of vitriol. 

 One drachm of Minficht's elixir of ilcel : mix together. 



A teafpoonful of this mixture in a fniall wine-glafs of whiie-wine, or a cup of c'arduus or 

 chamomile tea, every morning and evening taken tafting, is rccomniended * tor the benefit ot 

 thofe who have wifdom or refolution enough lett to delift trom a pernicious ExaJ's in thefe 

 liquors, which cannot be long perfirted in, without the greateft niilchief to health ; for fuch per- 

 fons only it is meant ; and not for thofe infatuated wretches, who are blind to felf-prefen'ation, 

 and wilfully rufh into their grave. 



* Hales. 



4 D 2 injurious 



