290. EPSOM WATER is saline, and partakes, in some degree, of the nature and qualities of Sedlitz water, but it is by no means so powerful. It is transparent and colourless; and, when first taken into the mouth, has scarcely any taste, but it leaves a decidedly bitter and saltish taste on the palate.
This water contains sulphat of magnesia, or Epsom salt ([199]), selenite, and a small portion of chalk.
Although the Epsom waters, on account of their deficiency of strength, are now scarcely ever employed in medicine, yet they were among the first saline cathartic springs which were brought into use in this country. The salt to which they owe their property, and which is known throughout Europe by the name of Epsom salt, was, for many years, prepared almost exclusively from them and from Sedlitz water. But the quantity which they supplied was found so very inadequate to the increasing demands for this salt in medicine, that Epsom Salt has, for some time past, been manufactured from sea water.
Epsom water, if closely corked, may be kept for several months without injury: but, otherwise, it soon becomes putrid. The spring from which it issues is situated about half a mile from the town of Epsom in Surrey, sixteen miles south of London.
There are, in the neighbourhood of London, many springs of similar quality to this of Epsom: of these the principal are at Acton, Kilburne, Bagnigge Wells, and formerly the Dog and Duck in St. George’s Fields; but they are, in general, so weak as to render very large quantities of the water necessary to produce any sufficient medical effect.
7. HIGHLY CARBONATED ALKALINE WATER.
291. SELTZER WATER is an highly carbonated alkaline water. When fresh, or well preserved, it is perfectly clear, and sparkles much when poured into a glass. It is somewhat pungent, slightly saline, and a little alkaline to the taste.
It contains chalk, carbonat of magnesia, carbonat of soda ([201]), and common salt; and more carbonic acid gas, or fixed
air ([26]), than any water hitherto known. It is hard, and curdles with soap.
The spring which supplies this water is situated in Nieder Seltzer, a village in a fine woody country, within the bishopric of Treves; and there are few mineral springs which have acquired so much celebrity for medical virtues as this. The diseases, for the removal of which it has been successfully applied, are too numerous to be here particularized.