SPRINGS, RIVERS, CANALS, LAKES, 



which occasions no change, while caustic potash precipitates it abun- 

 dantly. By evaporation to dryness, the quantity of earthy salt con- 

 tained in the water may be accurately ascertained. 



Concerning artificial Mineral Waters. The numerous pro- 

 cesses we have prescribed for examining the residues of mineral 

 waters by evaporation, serve to ascertain, with the greatest precision, 

 all the several matters held in solution in these fluids. Anotlrer 

 process remains to be made to prove the success of the analysis, 

 viz. That of imitating nature in the way of synthesis, by dissolving 

 in pure water the different substances obtained by the analysis of 

 mineral water which has been examined. If the artificial mineral 

 water has the same taste, the same weight, and exhibits the same 

 phenomena with re-agents as the natural mineral water, it is the 

 most complete, and the most certain proof that the analysis has 

 been well made. This artificial combination has likewise the ad- 

 vantage of being procured in all places at pleasure, and at a trifling 

 expence; and is even in some cases superior to the natural mineral 

 waters, for their whole properties may be changed by carriage and 

 other circumstances. The most celebrated chemists are of opinion, 

 that it is possible to imitate mineral waters. Macquer has ob- 

 served, that since the discovery of the carbonic acid, and the pro- 

 perty it is found to possess of rendering many substances soluble ia 

 water, it is much more easy to prepare artificial mineral waters. 

 Bergman has described the method of composing waters which per- 

 fectly imitate that of Spa, Seltzer, Pyrmont, &c. He likewise 

 informs us, that they are used with great success in Sweden, and 

 that he himself has experienced their good effects. Duchanoy 

 has published a work, in which he has given a number of processes 

 for imitating all the mineral waters usually employed in medicine. 

 We may therefore hope, that chemistry may render the most essen. 

 tial service to the art of healing, by affording valuable medicines, 

 whose activity may be increased or diminished at pleasure. 



In order to present the reader, under one point of view, with 

 the most conspicuous features in the composition of the mineral 

 waters of this and some other countries, the following Synoptical 

 Table is subjoined, from Dr. Saunders' work on mineral waters. 



The reader will please to observe, that under the head of Neutral 

 Purging $al(s t are included the sulphats of soda and 



