MINERAL WATERS 851 



found to increase urinary ethereal sulphates (Rosin) though not in- 

 variably (Forges). On the basis of urea determinations in a dog in 

 nitrogen balance, and in patients, it was concluded that absorption of 

 nitrogenous substances during a drinking cure was not interfered with 

 since the urea values were not changed (Zorkendorfer). This type of 

 water has usually been employed in obesity cures. 



Sulphur Waters. A diminished gastric acidity as the result of drink- 

 ing sulphur waters has been reported from observations on a few hyper- 

 acidity cases and is recommended by Heubner(fr) for the treatment of 

 chronic alimentary catarrh in children. It is probable that the alkalinity 

 of the water is the determining factor and such waters if they contain 

 carbon dioxid may have the contrary effect (Coleschi(6)). 



Several metabolism experiments with sulphur water are reported by 

 Brown in which during the sulphur water periods the amount of urinary 

 nitrogen was increased, as well as the excretion of creatinin and endog- 

 enous uric acid. The laxative action of the water caused a considerable 

 increase in the amount of feces of which no account is taken in the nitro- 

 gen calculations. Indican was almost doubled during sulphur water Di- 

 gestion. The value of sulphur water as a therapeutic agent is doubtful. 



Iron Waters. Iron waters have long been used with some success in 

 anemia but only one investigation deals with their actual influence on 

 metabolism. From this investigation by Vandeweyer and Wybauw on 

 two normal persons it appears that protein and carbohydrate in the feces 

 decreased during the iron water periods, fat on the other hand was in- 

 creased. Since the nitrogen intake was not entirely uniform in all the 

 periods, conclusions as to the effect on nitrogen metabolism are not easily 

 drawn. In one case there was a considerable minus balance during the 

 iron water periods as compared with the final ordinary water period; 

 in the other case there was a plus balance, but nevertheless they conclude 

 that during the iron water periods nitrogen catabolism is stimulated. Uric 

 acid was relatively decreased. 



The therapeutic value of iron in chlorosis is discussed elsewhere and 

 while improvement in hyperacidity and increased hemoglobin and erythro- 

 cytes are shown to follow upon several weeks of iron water cure other 

 factors such as rest, out of door life and proper food must be considered. 

 The amount of iron ingested through drinking iron waters is less than 

 is usually administered in medicinal preparations but the former are often 

 more effective, perhaps for the reason just given, perhaps because of the 

 manner of administration. Iron carbonate waters deteriorate when bot- 

 tled and on standing due to precipitation of iron oxid. 



Arsenic Waters. Arsenic waters usually also contain iron, and for 

 certain types of anemia it would seem that administration of iron alone 

 is useless but that with arsenic good results are sometimes obtained. Aside 

 from such information (Henius(6) ; Brenner) no reliable metabolism data 



