BAILEY. | Mineral Waters. 65 
») 
‘‘netrify’’ wood or other substances which are placed in them. 
One author states that siliceous waters, taken internally, are 
useful in cases of cancer and leprous ulcerations, and it is also 
stated that by the use of these waters albumin and sugar have 
been made to disappear from the urine. 
The Sulfates are of great importance, as has been previously 
stated in the discussion of sodium and of magnesium sulfate. 
It is evident that the sulfate ion has a therapeutic value, for we 
see it in such salts as sodium sulfate and magnesium sulfate ; 
salts which have a distinct cathartic action. It is difficult to 
study the action of the sulfate apart from the metallic ion. It 
must be admitted, however, that the sulfate, etc., acts as a pur- 
gative. Sulfates are useful, as mentioned under magnesium, 
more from their action as undissociated salts than from any 
action as ions. Although the sodium sulfate has a bitter taste, 
it is of great importance as a constituent of mineral waters like 
the Abilena. Sodium sulfate, when entering the system through 
intravenous injection, produces a copious diuresis. The discus- 
sion of the sulfate as occurring in acid waters may be found on 
page 51. 
Sulfur is an ingredient of a large number of waters. We are 
familiar with the characteristic odor of hydrogen sulfid, some- 
times compared to decayed eggs. In mountainous volcanic 
regions, springs containing sulfids, sulfates, common salt and 
other ingredients are frequently found. There is often seen in 
the spring, or in the water that escapes from it, a white or yel- 
lowish deposit of sulfur, and by the precipitation of sulfur the 
water has a milky appearance. This is due to the oxidation 
of the hydrogen sulfid by the oxygen of the air, water being 
formed. The separated sulfur after a time settles to the bottom 
of the vessel in which it is drawn. In the southeastern part of 
Kansas, where deep wells are used as a source of water-supply, 
the sulfur water which is pumped up is allowed to stand in res- 
ervoirs till the excess of gas has escaped or been oxidized and 
most of the sulfur has settled. 
Doctor Schweitzer,” in discussing the therapeutic action of 
29. Mo. Geol. Surv,, III, p. 36. 
5—Vvll 
