Page 27 - 1915, Springs of CA.

NATURAL WATEES. 27

character and amount of these modifications. The following gen-
eral notes on the subject are, however, presented. In preparing
them free USQ has been made of the works of Gutmann,1 Anderson,2
Schweitzer,3 Crook,4 and Bailey.5
1. Alkaline^ waters, and especially waters characterized by primary
alkalinity, ar0 useful to correct acidity of the stomach and therefore
alleviate certain forms of indigestion. Such waters have an aug-
mented diuretic action and are used in the treatment of fevers,
rheumatism, gout, vesical irritation, and diabetes.
2. Waters in which salinity, measured by the chloride radicle, is
relatively marked stimulate the appetite and have a general stimu-
lating effect on the organs of digestion, increasing the flow of the
digestive juices. Waters in which salinity, measured by the sulphate
radicle, is relatively marked have a cathartic effect; highly concen-
trated waters of this type are much used as purgatives. The salinity
of waters also serves to augment their diuretic action. Acid waters
are astringents and are useful in the treatment of relaxed conditions
of the mucous membrane, especially when characterized by diarrhea
and dysentery. Such waters are likely to contain relatively large
amounts of iton and then are markedly tonic.
3. The fre6 use of waters characterized by a high degree of second-
ary salinity and secondary alkalinity is believed to have contributed
to the formation of calculi. For this reason water in which primary
salinity or primary alkalinity is pronounced is generally to be pre-
ferred for use in the treatment of the kidneys or bladder. Waters
containing lithium are generally supposed to be especially efficacious
for such use, but a natural water containing sufficient lithium mate-
rially to affect its character is rare.
4. Waters slightly carbonated are of very common natural occur-
rence. The carbon dioxide not only serves to augment the solu-
bility of many mineral substances, but gives the water an agreeable
taste, aids the flow of saliva, and allays gastric irritation.
5. Sulphurated waters generally contain the sulphide radicles to
which their value is believed to be in great part due. Under the
name "sulphur waters" such solutions are widely used internally
and for baths. Waters of this type are particularly valuable in the
treatment of skin diseases, affections of the liver, and chronic malaria.
6. The concentration of mineral substances probably does not
materially affect the character of their therapeutic action, but it
1 Gutmann, Edward, Watering places of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, 1880.
2 Anderson, Window, Mineral springs and health resorts of California, San Francisco, Bancroft <fe Co.,
1892.
* Schweitzer, Paul, A report on the mineral waters of Missouri: Missouri Geol. Survey, vol. 3,1892.
4 Crook, J. K., T IB mineral waters of the United States and their therapeutic uses, Lea Bros. & Co.,
New York and Phi.adelphia, 1899.
» Bailey, E. H. S , Special report on mineral waters: Kansas Univ. Geol. Survey, vol. 7,1902.