JS6 SPUIKGS-, RIVERS, CANALS, LAKES, 



cause of their saponaceous property, which this physician attributes 

 to alumine; as well as the effects they may produce in -the animal 

 economy, as medicines, by virtue of this properly. 



From these details we find, that all mineral and medicinal wa- 

 ters are divided into nine orders,, viz. 



Cold acidulous water?. 



Hot or thermal acidulous waters. 



Sulphuric saline waters. 



Muriatic saline waters. 



Simple sulphureou* waters. 



Sulphurated gaseous waters. 



Simple ferruginous waters. 



Ferruginous and acidulous waters. 



Sulphuric ferruginous waters. 



Examination of Mineral Waters, according to their Phy- 

 sical Properties. After having shewn the different matters which 

 may be found in waters, and exhibited a slight sketch of the method 

 in which they may be divided into classes and orders, according to 

 their principles, it will be necessary to mention the methods of ana- 

 lysing them, and discovering with the greatest possible degree of 

 accuracy, the substances they hold in solution. This analysis has 

 been justly considered as the most difficult part of chemistry, since 

 it requires a perfect knowledge of all chemical phenomena, joined to 

 the habit of making experiments. To obtain an accuiate know, 

 ledge <>i the naluie of any water proposed to be examined, 1. The 

 situation of ihe spring, and the nature of the soil, more especially 

 with respect to mineral strata, must be carefully observed ; for this 

 purpose, cavities may be dug to different depths, in order to disco* 

 vrr, by inspection, the substances \\ith which the water may be 

 charged. 2. The physical properties of the water iUtlf, such as its 

 taste, smell, colour, transparence, weight, and temperature, must 

 next be examined ; for this purpose, two thermometers, whfch per. 

 tectly agree, and a good hydrometer, must be provided. These 

 preliminary experiments require likewise to be made in the dif. 

 ferent seasons, different times of the day, and especially in different 

 states of the atmosphere; fora continuance of dry weather, or of 

 abundant rain, has a singular influence on waters. These first trials 

 usually show ijie class io which the water under examination may 



