222 
ON CITRATE OF MAGNESIA. 
the above, each containing 50 grammes, or 771 grains of 
the citrate : 
Dissolve 6 pounds 9 ounces and 364 grains (avoirdupois 
weight) of crystallized citric acid in 22 pounds of water, 
and add to the solution 1 pound 5 ounces and S3 grains 
(avoird.) of calcined magnesia. When the combination has 
been effected, filter the solution, and add to it 33 pounds 
(avoird.) of simple syrup flavoured with essence of orange. 
Distribute this solution in one hundred wine quart bottles. 
Then- 
Precipitate 2 pounds 10 ounces and 145 grains (avoird.) 
of sulphate of magnesia, with a sufficient quantity of carbo- 
nate of soda, in the usual way; wash the precipitate, put it 
into a proper apparatus, with about 90 pints of water, and 
pass carbonic acid through ituntilthe magnesia is dissolved. 
This being effected, use the solution thus formed to fill up 
bottles into which the previous solution has been put. 
Report by Messrs. Renauldin and Soubeiran on the above 
Mineral Water. 
The proportion of magnesia in the citrate is sensibly the 
same as that in an equal weight of the crystallized sulphate, 
but the former salt is not so powerful in its medicinal effects 
as the latter, the fifty grammes or 771 grains of citrate con- 
tained in the bottle of mineral water, being about equal in 
effect to thirty or thirty-five grammes (463 or 540 grains) of 
crystallized sulphate. 
Notwithstanding the large quantity of citrate in the mix- 
ture, the taste does not at all indicate the presence of any 
salt ; it resembles lemonade in flavour, and acts as a purga- 
tive, quite as well as the ordinary seidlitz water. It certain- 
ly affords, from its agreeable taste, a good method of over- 
coming the repugnance of some patients to purgative medi- 
cines. It occasions neither thirst nor tenesmus, and but lit- 
tle pain during its operation, it may therefore be said that 
it operates safely and agreeably. Our observations would 
