VIS HEXRY G. BARBOUR 



"Mineral Waters." Natural spring waters have been so long and 

 extensively exploited that the tendency to ascribe to them some occult 

 therapeutic value still lingers. !N"o evidence exists, however, that their 

 employment (most successful at their source) is associated with effects 

 beyond those attributable to the individual mineral ingredients (see below) 

 or to psychic, climatic and hygienic factors. 



Salts. The effects of salts upon the metabolism fall into two categories, 

 namely, those due to (1) "salt action" (chiefly osmotic processes) and 

 (2) the action of individual ions. Pertaining chiefly to the first group 

 are the effects of the 



Saline Cathartics. Poorly absorbable salts, of which the sulphates 

 of sodium and of magnesium are noted examples, act as dehydrating 

 agents, their systemic effects being therefore essentially those of water 

 deficiency. This applies as well to parenteral administration, where 

 diuretic instead of cathartic action results. 



Body Temperature. In connection with the therapeutic employment 

 of saline cathartics significant temperature changes are not seen. Hay 

 was unable to substantiate the reputed "cooling effect" in fevers. On 

 the contrary, where the dehydrating effect becomes pronounced, some 

 increase in temperature may be anticipated (salt fever). 



Total Metabolism. It was claimed by Loewy(fr) that saline cathartics 

 augment the total metabolism, this effect being attributed to increased 

 peristalsis. Others, on the basis of Hay's theory considered that the alleged 

 increase in the total metabolism was due to the work involved in the active 

 "secretion" of water into the intestine. However, after Wallace and 

 Cushny showed that osmotic factors alone will account adequately for the 

 passage of fluid into the bowel, it was not surprising that Brodie, Cull is 

 and Halliburton should find that hypertonic magnesium sulphate causes 

 no increase in the oxygen consumption of the intestine itself. Ultimately 

 F. G. Benedict demonstrated that oral therapeutic doses of the saline 

 cathartics do not measurably increase the total metabolism of healthy 

 individuals. 



An instance of increased oxygen consumption in a single organ is, 

 however, seen in the results of Bainbridge and Evans, who, in a contribu- 

 tion to the secretory theory of diuretic action, describe an increase in the 

 gas consumption of kidneys subjected to the action of sodium sulphate. 



Protein Metabolism. The protein catabolism may be increased by 

 saline cathartics when exhibited in amounts sufficient to deplenish the 

 body's stock of water. 



Fat Metabolism. The habitual use of salines is frequently efficient in 

 reducing the weight in obesity. Many of the natural mineral waters have 

 acquired a reputation in such cases. Their action appears to be due in 

 part to their hindering the absorption of proteins and fats (Hay), in part 

 to a depletion of the body fluids by the salt action. Saline cathartics are 



