12 MINERAL WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



MEDICINAL VALUE OF VARIOUS CLASSES OP MINEEAL WATERS. 



The physiological action and therapeutic applications of the various 

 classes of mineral waters here given do not represent the results of 

 experiments carried on in the Bureau of Chemistry, but are gathered 

 from works which are considered authoritative on the subject. a 



Carbonated or bicarbonated alkaline waters. This is one of the most 

 important groups of mineral waters. As a class these waters are used 

 to stimulate the secretions of the digestive tract, neutralize super - 

 acidity of the stomach, increase metabolism, dissolve uric acid, increase 

 the flow of urine, correct acidity of the urine, and dissolve uric acid 

 deposits. They are therefore of value in catarrhal conditions of the 

 mucous membranes, rheumatism, gout, diabetes, etc. 



Sodic carbonated and Mcarbonated alkaline waters. Sodium carbo- 

 nate or bicarbonate appears as a normal constituent of the blood, 

 lymph, and nearly all secretions of the mucous membrane. Where con- 

 ditions arise that cause any of these fluids to become acid, this class of 

 waters is of great value in counteracting the efl'ect. The sodic carbon- 

 ated waters increase metabolism, dissolve uric acid, and allay irritation 

 of the mucous membrane of the urinary tract. They have there- 

 fore been used with excellent results in treating acid dyspepsia, rheu- 

 matism, gout, and diabetes. Such waters are also of value in breaking 

 up and eliminating uric acid deposits and uric acid sand and gravel. 



Potassic carbonated and Mcarbonated alkaline waters have very much 

 the same action as the sodic carbonated, except that they are perhaps 

 better for increasing the solubility and elimination of uric acid. The 

 chief use of such waters as these is in the treatment of stone in the 

 bladder. 



Lithic carbonated and Mcarbonated alkaline waters. While lithium 

 seldom or never occurs in waters in large enough quantities to be a 

 predominating basic constituent, still it does often appear in sufficient 

 quantities to have a decided therapeutic action. These compounds 

 are active diuretics and form a very soluble urate which is easily elimi- 

 nated from the system. Waters of the above class therefore find their 

 greatest application in the treatment of rheumatism, rheumatic tenden- 

 cies, and gout. In cases of gravel and calculi they are also valuable 

 disintegrating agents. 



Magnesic carbonated and bicarbonated alkaline waters. Such waters 

 as these act as mild laxatives and are perhaps the best of all the 

 carbonated alkaline waters in correcting an acid condition of the 

 stomach and curing sick headaches caused by constipation. They 

 favor the solution of uric acid, are valuable agents in breaking up 



Among these are Crook's Mineral Waters of the United States and Canada, 

 Schweitzer's Mineral Waters of Missouri, and Cohen's System of Physiologic 

 Therapeutics. 



