Splenic Apoplexij. 
251 
No. 1. 
Composition of Pump-Water from Mr, Bradley's Farm, Sccii. 
An imperial gallon contained : Grains. 
Solid matter (dried at 280-^ Fahr.) 235-20 
Consisting of — ■ 
Organic matter .. ,. .. 17-93 
Mineral matters 217-27 grains. 
Consistinn; of — 
Suli>hate oflime 88-20 
Sulphate of magnesia 41-81 
Oxide of iron and alumina I'GO 
Silicate of potash 2-52 
Nitrate of potash 1-94 
Sulphate of soda 24-65 
Carbonate of soda 28-52 
Chloride of sodium ., 28-03 
Total per gallon 235-20 
Among other things, it contained nitric acid, as much as one 
grain to the imperial gallon, and nearlj' eighteen grains of organic 
matter ; showing that, somehow or other, refuse materials accu' 
mulated near to the surface of the soil, underwent regular nitrifica- 
tion, and found their waj', in a more or less oxidised state, into the 
pump-water. Then, again, there was a large proportion of sulpliate 
of soda, sulphate of lime, sulphate of magnesia, and other saline 
matters. These salts in their comhination had a medicinal effect 
very much greater than that whk-h they produced separately. It 
was a well-knoAvn fact that in certain districts of Somersetshire, 
■where tart or scoiiring lands prevailed, medicinal effects frequently 
occurred. On referring to the composition of some water in a dis- 
trict near Bridgewater, he found that it contained 202 grains to the 
imperial gallon, while the water on Mr. Bradley's fann contained 
'235 grains. It was, tinquestionably, a medicinal water, a single 
tumblerful of it taken in the morning being sufficient to produce a 
decided effect. There could be no question, then, that in a lias dis- 
trict there were materials in the waters having a tendency to pro- 
duce disease ; whether it were splenic apoplexy, scouring, or some 
other affection, he could not say, but that such water could not be 
drunk with impunity was certain. 
Another sample of water was evidently largely impregnated with 
the drain ings of the farmyard, and the evacuations of the animals. 
It must be undesirable that animals should dvink such water, as all 
impurities of this kind were highly injurious. Its analysis (No. 2) 
is ."^hown overleaf. 
The ditch water — a third sample — and apparently foul, proved 
on analysis to be the purest of any. It contained only twenty-six 
grains of solid matter in the imperial gallon, and in this there were 
only four and a-half grains of organic constituents. This will 
■appear from the subjoined particulars (No. 3). 
