WATER OF THE SEA. 73 



ment that foul linen could be rendered clean and white by Observations 

 being washed in alkalized ocean water which contained its s pec ti n ^tiie 

 whole quantity of precipitated earth diffused through it. I component 

 rather think the small quantity of those impalpable and whit e c j }„ sea water 

 particles which adhere to the linen worn upon the body will and the. useful 

 be advantageous and ^wholesome, as the shirts and other gar- tbdt fluid, 

 ments will thereby be enabled to neutralize a portion of the 

 acid and oftentimes noxious matter formed from the sweat and 

 other excretions of the skin, &c. Thus they will be rather 

 serviceable than otherwise, and as both are in their carbonated 

 state (having borrowed fixed air from the soda) they cannot 

 do any harm. 



The general inferences from the whole of the preceding 

 reasoning are these: 1. Alkaline substances, such as mag- 

 nesia and more powerfully lime and soda, are plentifully dis- 

 tributed through the ocean, to keep it from becoming foul, 

 unhealthy and uninhabitable, which doubtless would be the 

 case if the sulphuric, septic, and muriatic acids abounding in 

 it were not neutralized. 2. Where either of these acids is but 

 imperfectly saturated, as happens when they are united with 

 magnesia and lime, they decompound, soap, let loose its grease, 

 and become unfit for washing by aid of that material, 3. If 

 soda or barilla is added to Ocean water in sufficient quantity 

 and the water lixiviated or alkalized the earths will of course 

 be precipitated and the acids neutralized. 4. Ii\ this state, 

 dirty linen may be cleansed in it ; and men at sea be thus 

 enabled to have their clothes washed without the aid either of 

 soap or of fresh water. 5. For this purpose., a quantity of 

 barilla or soda should always be provided as an article of the 

 ship's stores, and issued to the men on washing days. 6*. Thus 

 by the operation of this alkaline salt, a great proportion of the 

 nastiness and infection bred in the clothes, bedding and berths 

 of persons at sea might be prevented, and the crews and pas- 

 sengers so far preserved from fevers and dysenterses. 7. 

 No more room would be occupied by water casks in the holds 

 of vessels, than at present. 8. The small quantity of magnesia 

 ana hmc adhering to clothes washed in this way, is an advan- 

 tage over and above what takes place in using fresh water. 

 And 9- A broad and noble view is opened of the economy of 

 Providence in distributing alkaline salts and earths, so liberally 

 throughout the terraqueous globe. 



