104 | JOHN C. H. MINGAYE. 
ducing a purging effect, while excessive quantities of common salt 
cause an increased thirst, and by their action on the kidneys 
-impoverish the blood and hence produce debility. 
It is a well known fact that stock which have been reared on a 
station where these saline waters exist, manage to thrive after 
a time, while the effect produced is often disastrous to those newly 
brought into contact with them. Stock are also very fond of 
these waters and will drink a large quantity, which must create 
a thirst. | 
These strongly saline waters therefore are very unsuitable for. 
continually watering stock, and I have no doubt that on some 
occasions large numbers of stock have sickened and died through 
the effects of drinking large quantities, while the death of these 
animals have been erroneously charged to disease. In one case 
especially which came under my notice some seven years ago, the 
death of a large number of cattle were proved to be due to their 
continually drinking large quantities of saline water which was 
conserved on the run. A sample of this water yielded on analysis 
as follows :—Total fixed matter over 1,500 grains per gallon, the 
bulk of which consisted of chloride of sodium (common salt) and 
chloride of magnesium, and sulphates of magnesia and soda. The 
cattle had to be removed from the run on which this water was 
conserved. 
In America the action of these waters on stock has received a 
certain amount of study. A spring water obtained from the foot- 
hills of the Coast Range, in Western Tulare Country, near San 
Francisco, said to produce disease in cattle drinking the water, 
yielded on analysis as follows :— 
In 1000 Parts. 
Total solid residue on evaporation ay 
Again soluble in water after evaporation . “la 
Insoluble in water after evaporation ... re | 
Silica one bia wid ae a af 96 
Organic matter and combined water... | 
——_= 
Total solid residue _.... abe see ele 
