CHAPTER III. 
THERAPEUTICS OF MINERAL WATERS. 
ACTION ON THE SYSTEM. 
The questions frequently asked are: ‘‘How do mineral waters 
act on the system?’’ ‘‘ What particular value have they over 
pharmaceutical preparations containing the same ingredients ?’’ 
A study of the theory of solution as recently developed (see 
chapter V) has led us to believe that in dilute solutions we 
have the chemical substances existing in the ‘‘ionic’’ condition. 
It is easy to understand that in this condition the medicinal 
substances are more readily assimilated by the system, or, in 
other words, that extremely dilute solutions will have a differ- 
ent therapeutic effect from more concentrated solutions. ” 
Mineral waters may be used, as previously noted, either ex- 
ternally or internally. Every extended treatise on the thera- 
peutic action of such waters pays special attention to the use — 
of the warm or cold bath as a curative agent. 
In Kansas there are a large number of waters especially 
adapted to bathing, but, as the state is geologically remote from 
those sections where great folding and uplifting of strata have 
occurred, warm or thermal springs are not known. 
SOME POPULAR FALLACIES. 
It is generally admitted that mineral waters are particularly 
adapted to the cure of chronic or long-standing diseases. Doc- 
tor Anderson says :*' ‘‘ Mineral springs are not ‘cure-alls.’ As 
a rule too much is claimed for them. The many marvelous 
cures cited and the many improbable and ridiculous statements 
seen on printed circulars do more harm than good. Sensible 
people are not going to believe that a ‘magnetic’ mineral water 
is going to save a bad case of consumption, or that any ‘mineral 
20. North American Journal Homeopathy, (3) XIII, pp. 529-537. 
21. Mineral Springs and Health Resorts of California, p. 12. 
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