52 University Geological Survey of Kansas. 
and impoverished conditions of the body, due to intemperance 
or specific diseases.’’ 
_ For chronic lead poisoning acid sulfate waters may be used, 
as they form with the lead an insoluble lead sulfate which 
passes from the system. Waters containing carbonates dis- 
solved in an excess of carbon dioxid (carbonic-acid gas) are not 
included in this class, as, on account of the extreme weakness of 
carbonic acid and the fact that it so readily escapes, these waters 
soon react alkaline. 
This carbonic-acid gas, however, is one of the most important 
chemical as well as therapeutic constituents of water. It not 
only renders many mineral substances soluble, but it gives the 
water an agreeable, pungent taste, and assists digestion, aids 
the flow of saliva, and allays gastric irritability. | 
The alkaline waters are extremely numerous, and their re- 
action is usually due, as noted above, to the escape of the carbon 
dioxid. The metal associated with the acid may be potas- 
sium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, or iron. As a 
class, according to Doctor Cross, ‘‘they form a very efficacious 
and speedy remedy in the treatment of acid dyspepsia and flatu- 
lence.’’ They also act as stomachics, if given before meals, 
by stimulating the peptic glands. 
Having a diuretic tendency, the alkaline carbonated waters 
tend to correct the acidity of the urine, and are of great service 
in fevers, rheumatism, gout, vesical irritation, diabetes, etc. 
In Europe they have long held high favor in the treatment of 
meritis, leucorrhea, as well as other female pelvic disorders. 
When combined with salines, as they often are, forming the 
great alkaline-saline groups of waters, and because they dis- 
solve the mucus, they are of much value in catarrhal conditions 
of the gastro-intestinal tract with the engorgement of the por- 
tal system. They have further been found useful in obesity. 
The lithontriptic value of these waters is well established. 
In many cases where there is a tendency for mineral material 
to collect around an organic nucleus these waters are useful, 
as they are alkaline, and dilute the urine and prevent the forma- 
