o2 University Geological Survey of Kansas. 
ways revealed their mode of composition, renders the rational 
classification of mineral waters very difficult and very compli- 
cated, and the necessity of keeping account of their action on 
the economy and of their medicinal role, which often seems due 
to certain substances found there in very small quantity, tends 
still more to increase the difficulty.’’ 
THE CHANGES THAT MINERAL WATERS MAY UNDERGO. 
The question may properly be asked, Do mineral waters 
change their composition? Usually they do not; this may be 
shown by a comparison of the analysis of a Saratoga water made 
by Doctor Steel and one of the same water made by Doctor 
Chandler thirty-nine years later, and these two practically 
agreed. In the.case of the Great Spirit spring, or Wacanda 
No. 1, the analysis made twenty-one years ago agrees essen- 
tially with the analysis made in 1901. ! 
There is an interesting case of a water in Switzerland in which 
at one time it was reported that iodin was found, and later it 
could not be found. A more complete investigation showed 
that in reality the amount of iodin varied from day to day, from 
none at all, sometimes, to a maximum of 2.25 parts per 10,000 
of water. | | 
‘‘The following changes may take place in the composition of 
water,’’ says Professor Wiln: * 
‘*1. Periodic variation, dependent on the mineral water being 
more or less mixed with superficial sheets of water. 
‘¢2. Progressive or secondary, dependent on the rocks washed 
by the waters, which may be different on account of storms in 
different places or being more or less diluted. 
‘¢3. The action of sunlight may change the composition of 
the water. 
‘‘4. By exposure to the air, which allows the pressure to 
change and which at the same time allows oxygen to come in 
contact with the water, many changes may be brought about. It 
is a well known fact that the mineral matter is often deposited 
A eee Sketch of the Natural History of Mineral Waters, Frederick Maurin, Sanitarian, vol. 
33, D. 2075 
