26 HOT SmiNGS, ARKANSAS. 



the filter and the filtrate containing any barium and .strontium as the 

 chlorides was collected in a platinum dish and evaporated to dryness. 

 The minute residue was tested by the spectroscope for the barium and 

 strontium lines, both of which were faintly seen. 



Strontium. — This substance was determined in a separate portion. 

 The oxide of calcium, which had been obtained by blasting the 

 ammonium oxalate precipitate in the determination of calcium, was 

 transferred to a small flask and dissolved in concentrated nitric acid. 

 The acid, was entirely evaporated off by means of a current of air and 

 heating in a paraffin bath to 135° C. The flask and contents were 

 dried at 140° C, and the completely dried nitrates were treated with 

 the least possible quantity of a mixture of equal parts of absolute 

 alcohol and ether, necessary to dissolve the calcium nitrate. The 

 flask was corked, allowed to stand over night, and the insoluble resi- 

 due, if airy, filtered off on the smallest possible filter and washed with 

 the ether-alcohol mixture. The strontium nitrate on the filter was 

 washed with water into a platinum dish and evaporated to dryness. 

 The dish was blasted to change the nitrate to the oxide. No increase 

 in the weight of the dish was noticed, yet upon treating the contents 

 of the dish with a little hydrochloric acid, evaporating nearly to diy- 

 ness and testing with the spectroscope, the strontium lines were seen. 



THE MEDICINAL VALUE OF THE VARIOUS SALTS AND GASES USUALLY 



PRESENT IN MINERAL WATERS. 



Carbonates and bicarbonates. — One of the most important groups 

 of mineral waters are the alkaline waters, which are characterized by the 

 presence, in predominating quantities, of one or more of the alkaline or 

 alkaline earth carbonates or bicarbonates. These are the carbonates or 

 bicarbonates of sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, and magnesium. 

 In case iron is present in large quantities as the bicarbonate we have a 

 water belonging to the chalybeate class. Since these waters are alkaline 



CD CJ «/ 



the} 7 are excellent remedies in cases of sour stomach and in sick headaches 

 which arise from acid dyspepsia. They act very markedly on the 

 mucous membranes, increasing the flow of the gastric juice and other 

 digestive fluids and are consequently of use in many cases of indiges- 

 tion. In conjunction with the sulphated salines they give excellent 

 results when used in the treatment of catarrhal conditions of the 

 stomach and intestines. Such waters correct acidity of the urine, 

 markedly increase the flow of urine and help to dissolve uric acid 

 deposits. The} T are therefore of value in cases of rheumatism, gout, 

 diabetes, etc. 



Sodium carbonate and bicarbonate. — Sodium carbonate or bicarbo- 

 nate appears as a normal constituent of the blood, lymph, and nearly 

 all secretions of the mucous membrane. Where conditions arise that 

 cause these fluids to become acid, waters containing carbonate or 

 bicarbonate of soda are of value in counteracting the effect. Waters 

 containing either of these substances have been used with excellent 

 effect in the treatment of acid dyspepsia, diabetes, where sugar has 

 been caused to disappear from the urine b}~ their use, and in breaking 

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



Potassium carbonate and bicarbonate. — Both of these salts are readily 

 soluble in water. The bicarbonate is the one usually present in 

 mineral waters. The properties of this salt are very much the same 



