256 EPSOM WATER. SELTZER WATER. 
290. EPSOM WATER is saline, and partakes, in some de- 
gree, of the nature and qualities of Sedlitz water, but it is by no 
means so powerful. It is transparent and colourless ; and, 
wJien first taken into the mouth, has scarcely any taste, but it 
leaves a decidedly bitter and saltish taste on the palate. 
This water contains sulphat of magnesia, or Epsom salt (199), 
selenite, and a smai I portion of chalk. 
Although the Epsom waters, on account of their de- 
ficiency of strength, are now scarcely ever employed in 
medicine, yet they were among the first saline cathartic 
springs which were brought into use in this country. 
The salt to which they owe their property, and which 
is known throughout Europe by the name of Epsom 
salt, was, for many years, prepared almost exclusively 
from them and from Sedlitz water. But the quantity 
which they supplied was found so very inadequate to 
the increasing demands for this salt in medicine, that 
Epsom Salt has, for some time past, been manufactured 
from sea water. 
Epsom water, if closely corked, may be kept for se- 
veral months without injury : but, otherwise, it soon 
becomes putrid. The spring from which it issues is 
situated about half a mile from the town of Epsom in 
Surrey, sixteen miles south of London. 
There are, in the neighbourhood of London, many 
springs of similar quality to this of Epsom : of these the 
principal are at Acton, Kilburne, Bagnigge Wells, and 
formerly the Dog and Duck in St. George's Fields ; but 
they are, in general, so weak as to render very large 
quantities of the water necessary to produce any 
sufficient medical effect. 
7. HIGHLY CARBONATED ALKALINE WATER. 
S91. SELTZER WATER is an highly carbonated alka- 
line water. When fresh, or well preserved, it is perfectly 
clear, and sparkles much when poured into a glass. It is some- 
what pungent, slightly saline, and a little alkaline to tfte 
taste. 
It contains chalk, carbonat of magnesia, carbonat of soda 
(201), and common salt ; and more carbonic acid gas 9 or fixed 
