If we enquire into the Reason of such ill Effects, we must consider, that Clay is a Mineral Glebe, and that the gross Particles and Metallick Salts with which Waters passing thro’ such a Bottom do abound, are, as Dr. Lister [(187)] observes, not to be mastered, that is, indigestible in the Humane Body. Not only therefore will these Cause, as He very well Argues, calculous Concretions in the Kidneys, Bladder, and Joints; and as Hippocrates experienced, hard Swellings in the Spleen; but they must necessarily oftentimes by their Corrosive quality twitch and irritate the sensible Membranes of the Stomach and Bowels, and thus hinder and interrupt the Digestion of our Food. Nay, besides all this, when they come into the Blood, it is no wonder if the small Canals of insensible Perspiration are frequently stopt and obstructed by ’em; for it is upon this Score that Sanctorius [(188)] teaches Us, that heavy Water converts the Matter of Transpiration into an Ichor, which being retained, induces a Cachexy.
What Mischiefs will insue hereupon every one sees; not only Pains in the Limbs, livid Spots in the Surface of the Body, Ulcers, &c. from the Acrimony of the undischarged Moisture; but many besides of those perplexing Symptoms which go by the Name of Hysterical and Hypochondriacal, may take their rise from the same Source; for the before cited Sanctorius [(189)] has remark’d, that the Flatus or Wind so inseparable from those Cases, is no other than the Fluid of Perspiration rude and unfinished.
If these Inconveniencies are oftentimes not felt, at least not till towards the declining Age, in strong and active Habits of Body; yet I am, from very good Experience, assured, that they deserve Consideration in weaker Constitutions, and a Sedentary Life, especially of the more tender Sex.
I have the honour to be nearly related to a worthy Person, who led formerly an afflicted Life from the frequent returns of Violent Colick Pains, till she was with happy Success advised by the Noble Van Helmont not to Drink (as she then did) Beer Brewed with Well-Water; and her Health is even now so far owing to this Management, that an Error in It is unavoidably follow’d with the wonted Complaints.
For these Reasons Pliny [(190)] tells Us, that Those Waters are Condemn’d in the first Place, which when Boiled do incrustate the sides of the Vessels; And that our Well-Waters do this, no Body who looks into the Tea-Kettles of our Gentlewomen can be Ignorant.
And indeed in Ancient Times, when Physick was more a Science, which is now more a Trade, as that Part of It, which relates to Diet was more carefully studied, than it is Now-a-days; so this Point particularly of which we are Treating was of so great Moment, that Hippocrates, who wrote the best Book [(191)] on the Subject that ever was Publish’d, has in a great Measure accounted not only for the Diseases, but even for the Temper and Disposition of the People of several Countries, from the Difference of the Waters with which Nature has supplied Them.
Footnotes to Essay V.
[(152)] Virgil Æn. 7. v. 8.
—— Sævamq; exhalat. opaca Mephitim.
Vid. Servium, ibid.