Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-08-05
SODA WATER.

The following, by Dr. DoREnus, from the American
Medical Monthly comes not nopportunely at time when
soda-water is SO general beverage:
Having within few days had several friends relate
their sudden illness after taking single glass of soda
water and suspectng poisonous mprgnation be
the cause was induced 70 obtain several gallons Of
favorte beverage from different parts Of the city
| and to submit them to chemical examination The
substance which first attracted attention copper.
This very abundant in sodawaer obtained frsm
raj obscure shops where it presumed the traffic
limited and consequently the acid water remained longer
in the copper condensers. 1t so evident that
boiling off the excess of carbonic acid gas green scum
its appearance, which, further evaporation set
tied This carbonate of copper previously held in
solution by the carbonic acid. The amount Of metallic
copper in a quart grain and half Soda-water
obtained from the same establishment different days
found contain varying amounts Of the poisonous
carbonate The of this copper and the Of
these differences may be accounted for in several ways
The copper condensers pnrport to be timed internally
but whore they have been in use long time the tin. by
chemical and mechanical action has been removed at
least in parts thus exposing surface of copper to the
action Of the carbonc acid aided by suphuric
eeid which is occasionally found in soda-water Al
is sapsbp of bsing held in solution IN water highly
nth carb0nio 4ci4 gas for the vhieh
yields this green a dischsFgng tho gas - clear
and coGriess prssiousto TIE opsrsSn Tis soa-Wstsr
drawn shortly after charging nondenser would neoes-
sarily yield less copper analysis tnnn attained
from the fount after having several days to exert
It's CORROSIVE influence. again. the tnnlngIor ali are
professedly thus linedwouli be perfect in
than in others dependant only the length Of time
the eondensers had been used but also the complete
Of the original coating have been informed that
order facilitate the fow Of the tn soft solder is at
times resorted to- the copper is washed with salt Of
mercury. Under these circumstances the chemical and
electrical action would be rather complicated and the
sodawater possessed Of remarkable medicinal virtues The
second poisonous compound which, from its abundance
demanded investigation, white precpitate the car
Donate Of lead. This found to greater or less
amount in most Of the waters examined In the quart
whence the grain and half Of copper obtained 65
Of grain Of metallic lead was found The chief source
Of this mpregnaten is the lead pipe used in many foun
ans to convey the carbonated water from the
to the jet 1t is established fact that the free carbonic
acid found in spring waters is capable Of dssoving
facilitating the solution Of many Of the salts Of lead such
found encrusng lead pipes which have been used
for conducting said waters By the Investigations Of Dr.
ELLET, published in this city last year it was clearly
shown that the trivial Of carbonc aod found
in Croton water is sufficient to upon the lead pipes
This lead may be readily found in any kettle, which has
been used for boiling the Croton water passed through
lead pipe by adding little acetic acid to it. The
tate Of lead will respond to suphuretted hydrogen by
suming black tint-the sulphuret Of lead-or yellow
tint with the iodine of potassium &C. Since carbonic
acid is possessed Of such solvent powers,
which is surcharged with it, must become posonousy
contaminated by contact with lead either in the pipes
the soldering and much Of the tin Of commerce is al
loyed with lead this metal to which look for
protection, may be another source Of evil.
Many impressed with the belief that the first few
glasses may be mprsgnsted with lead to ON injurious
extent and hence the CUSTOM in the respectable
establishments, of discardng the sodawater which is
first drawn and has laid in the tube night Where
lead pipes used conduct the water to the jet
and especially where in order to cool draught,
from thirty to sixty feet Of lead pipe coed in tank
and covered with ice the highly acid liquid must neces
sary dissolve the metal and Communicate the poison
all contained within the condenser These remarks are
applicable to pipes of pure tin, or Of lead properly
coated with tin have examined the soda-water OBJ
iS
discover neither copper lead The hqud
which is at times pamed off upon the public, made by
forcing atmospheric air into water most truly aerated
water would from the very want of the carbonic acid
be nearly free from these contamnations might be
asked if these poisonous bodies exist in soda water
why are not the effects commonly known would
reply they are generally known than is supposed
Since commencing these investigations have learned
from several medical friends that coppery TASTE violent
vomiting collie, pains, purgng, &C. have not been un-
common results from such draughts; and most with
whom have conyersed have experienced these effects
personally In DR.. Mitchels Therapeutics mention is
made that soda-water from old copper fountains is
strongly marked with the copper taste. My assistant
informs that five years since, while in drug store,
he observed that vomiting and other symptoms of poison
ing by copper followed frequently after drinking soda
water and that many thought it was cholera and after
being similarly affected himself he tested the water and
found copper am informed by resident OF st. Louis
that while the cholera prevailed most persons abandoned
| the use Of soda-water; it was common remark MT
= took glass Of soda-water and was immediately at
tackled with cholera PROBABLY the slrups Wnlcn are ne
usual accompanments of the soda draught act in many
cases as antidote for although the efficacy OF
in this respect originally proposed by Duva was de-
MED by Orla it has lately been reasssrted by Poste
regret that for Of time have not been able TO
plete other experiments this subject; yet as am
convinced that in many this poisoned water
has proved the exciting Of cholera in those predis
posed to this disease and in others that it has by its in
herent properties been injurious to health destructive
to fe and this time the cholera question is again
agitating the public mind have thought it advisable to
relate the results Of this partial investigation With
the knowledge of these facts, may conclude that al
though sodawater may be retained in cetinned cop
per condenser and discharged through
lead pipe without poisonous impregnaton yet, as any
mperfection in the timing of either long careless
usage may expose the copper the lead or boh) to
the solvent powers Of this carbonc acid and thus rem
der the beverage dangerous therefore these vessels
should be discarded, only be permitted In the hands
of trustworthy persons Condensers OF stone, OF ron
Of the purest supported by iron bands or OF
guta percha aided in similar manner, would be Tree
from poisonous impregnation Conducting pipes OF these
latter material likewise unobeconabe. In another
paper shall present the results Of mere extended nves
legations and shall be indebted to any physicians or
who feel disposed to assist in this work
Of common interest by favorng with reports Of cases
gagged in the fabrication OF this article would afford an
opportunity Of examining Of the old soda fountains
might aid materially, and perhaps result IN the sug-
gestion Of better modes of protection
DIFFICULTY WITH INDIANS OREGos-The Salem Re-
ester dscredts the late rumor from Oregon that Chief
Justice EDWARD LANDER son of Capt Edward Lander OF
Salem had been Indians at Of the set
Elements on Puget Sound The origin Of the rumor
4 ~ 1-N ~ vr~n