176 SUBSTANCES IN WATER. 



This is doubtless the most favorable condition of the water. Manhat- 

 tan water contains in Reed and Chamber streets 125, in Bleeker st, 

 20, and in 13th st. 14 grs. of solid matter in the gall. The wells in 

 the lower parts of N. Y. city contain 58 grs. of solid matter. The 

 water of the Boston wells, from which that city is supplied, is brackish 

 and hard; and 682 of the 2,085 drinkable, are unfit for use . but 7 

 wells yield soft water, and but 2 of the 32 wells made by boring, con- 

 tain soft water. The water of the Schuylkill, which supplies the citi- 

 zens of Philadelphia, is one of the purest streams in the country-' The 

 water of the Thames, near London, contains about 20 grs. of solid 

 matter. 30 galls, yield also 28 grs. of a carbonaceous substance. 

 When taken to sea, it soon becomes putrid and offensive from decom- 

 posing organic matter; but if racked off into larger vessels and ex- 

 posed to the air, it deposits a thick slime and becomes sweet. 



Well or pump water contain substances like those in river water, 

 but generally in greater abundance in populous places. It is there- 

 fore hard or soft in proportion to these constituents, especially the sul- 

 phate of lime. The action of this salt with soap is that the sulphuric 

 acid unites with the alkali of the soap, setting the fatty portion of the 

 soap free, which combines with the lime of the salt and forms an in- 

 soluble compound, hence called hard. This water dissolves organic 

 substances less perfectly than rain water, and is therefore less useful 

 for making decoctions, as in teas, in beverages, and for drinks in dis- 

 pepsia ; it also occasions urinary deposits. It indnces constripation 

 and disordered digestion in some, but with others, or differently com- 

 bined, relaxation and diarrhea. To the horse it is especially injurious ; 

 and he instinctively rejects it when river water is to be had : it makes 

 his coat stare, and often gripes him. Water should rarely be conducted 

 through leaden pipes, particnlarly if a piece of polished lead will not 

 remain untarnished in the water 24 hours. Croton water cannot 

 therefore be safe conducted through leaden pipes. Water ordinarily 

 acts on the pipes of beer pumps ; hence, it has been said by Dr. Lee, 

 that it is not uncommon for porter house keepers and others to be at- 

 tacked by palsy in consequence of their drinking beer in the morning 

 which has been standing in the lead pipe during the night. 



Marsh water, though like lake water, yet being stagnant, it con- 

 tains much putrescent vegetable matter. This matter decomposes the 

 sulphates in sea and other waters, and causes an evi lution of sulphur- 

 eted hydrogen, occasioning the offensive smell from marshy and swam- 

 py grounds. Carbonic acid and air being given off by water when 

 boiling, the carbonate of lime held in solution is deposited, as seen by 

 the incrustations on tea kettles and boilers. Water containing car- 

 bonic acid will deposit awhile precipitate by adding lime water. Lit- 

 mus or syrup of violets is turned red by water which has free acids in 

 it. Tincture of galls turns water black when it has iron in it. Fit" 





