55 



alkali with their subtler parts, such as the oxidof iron, 

 the carbonic ac-id gaz, and the new ingredients, found 

 by Mr. Berzelius (without speaking of those which 

 may perhaps be hereafter discovered), and particu- 

 larly by their high temperature, which, volatilizing 

 those constituent parts, so wonderfully united and 

 combined together, conveys them, by the finest rami- 

 fications, to the last extremities of our organism, 

 imparts to them a vivifying power, and deprives 

 them of their hurtful qualities. David Becher, whilst 

 drinking our waters, found Carlsbad salt in his own 

 urine, and some drops of his perspiration , gathered 

 upon a watch-glass, examined with a strong micro- 

 scope , showed, during their evaporation, crystals 

 similar to Carlsbad salt. 



It is undoubtedly as difficult to tell by what pro- 

 cess alkaline water separates, moves and eliminates 

 morbid matters, as to understand how mercury, intro- 

 duced by the stomach or the skin , frees the animal 

 economy from inveterate syphilitic affections. Without 

 attempting a methodical solution of this problem, one 

 can conceive how an alkaline substance, reaching, 

 more or less slowly, the last ramifications of our 

 secretory and excretory organs, produces effects not 

 to be expected from coarser medicaments, administered 

 only in small doses, such as antimony, gums, soap, 

 ox -gall, vegetable juices or extracts. Whoever has 

 experienced at Carlsbad a regular crisis, will never 

 more question the power of its waters, the revolution 

 they cause in the whole system , nor the artificial 



