Washington sentinel., 1854-07-23
summer Drinks.

There can be no doubt, we think, that an
much sickness is caused during warm weather
from imprudence in drinking, as eating. Cold
ice-water taken hurriedly into an overheated
body, is liable TO check the flow of life's red
current, aud stop "the wheel at the cistern -
death from such cause is easily accounted
for. Other causes of disease and death, no
less simple, but somewhat less apparent, are
not uncommon, and on that account are more
to be guarded against. The use of acidulated
soda and aerated cold waters, so common dur
ing warm weather, by all classes, is very dan
gerous to health. Prof Doremus, of this city,
has published an article on this subject in the
American Medical Monthly" not SO much to
expose the injurious effects Of using such
drinks in themselves, as to direct attention to
the kind of vessels which are employed to con.
tain them. Being led, by the illness Of sever
al friends from drinking the soda water sold as
fayorite beverage, to believe there was some
poisonous impregnation in the same, he ana
ized several quantities Of it, and found both
copper and lead in them. The copper was
taken up from the soda water condensers, and
the lead from the fountain pipes. Both of
these metals are poisonous, and highly iniuri-
GUS to health, and Prof. Doremus deserves the
thanks of the community for thus exposing
such fruitful cause of disease. Let him de.
vote his attention to exposing such evils, and
he will really prove o benefactor to his fellow.
men. There is wide field open to him in
this city, for the display of his chemical skill
and learning, in analysing various kinds Of
articles in common use, such as tea, coffee,
vinegar, spices, starch, milk, &C., &C., and ex-
posing the frauds that are universally and daily
perpetrated on the public; this would bring
him more solid and lasting honor than making,
as he did last winter, miniature worlds out
Of drops of oil, astonishing himself and others
by the conclusive effects of incongruous com.
PARSONS. We believe every word that Prof.
Doremus has uttered respecting the common
soda water sold in our streets, and in houses of
refreshment being impregnated with both
copper and lead, and we are also of the opin.
ion that many persons have lost both their
health and life in consequence Of drinking
such beverages. To prevent soda water being
impregnated with these poisonous metals, he
recommends stone, and anti-corrosive metallic
fountains and pipes. But, while we heartily
agree with him in this view of the case, we
would not be doing our duty to the public, did
we not warn the people against the use Of
common soda waters in any shape, as bever.
age, except upon very rare occasions. They
are as injurious to physical health as ardent
spirits; they are unnatural, and certainly un-
necessary when good water can be obtained.
Better pay six cents for glass of good water
than three cents for glass of soda water.
These are our opinions; they have been formed
from careful observation and close reason
ing. We know number of cases of injury to
health, from drinking artificial summer drinks,
and especially that of an acquaintance who
died last spring, after suffering for a number
of years from ill-health, caused by too free
indulgence in soda water during very warm
summer. BY the term q soda water" we do
not mean artificial drinks made principally of
this alkaline substance; but we use the term,
as it is generally applied to the common, we'll
know artificial drinks sold as beverages during
warm weather. Drinks composed of an alkali,
and an acid, such as seidlitz powers, are very
pleasant, but they should never be used as
beverages; there is nothing like the pure water
as drink for man.
But cold water also requires to be drank
with prudence, for it too, incautiousy used, Is
as dangerous to health and life as deadly
poison. Every person should learn to subdue
the desires to sound Judgment so as to drink
cautiously while warm, and Of that beverage
only which experience and common sense
teaches us is most conducive to health, under
all circumstances, and in all conditions Of
life.-,Scientifc 4merican.