Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-11-19
toolruUNIcArED.I
The Water QueatInn.

Inc Whter question: uDOn which there IS,
at this time a deep and prevailing feeling of
anxiety among our citizens, arising out of
the conceded necessity for further immediate
provision, seems to have narrowed down to
an inquiry as to the comparative fitness and
purity of the several sources from which our
supply may be drawn.
Both the Water Board and Council are 50
impressed, for they have each instituted a
general analysis of the several waters sup-
gested as suitable.
have no question of the fidelity of the
three distinguished chemists selected to per-
form this service; IL is true they do not agree
in the results given-dihering in some in
stances more than 100 per cent; but this only
shows that chemistry is not one of the GER
tain sciences The Railroad Company, how
ever, that submitted this proposition to the
city, has, in my opinion, Just cause of COM
plant against Mr.. Grasselli, for the manner
in which he has treated this subject. The
chemists were employed to apalyze, not to
advocate. 1t was very delicate and respon-
sible duty they had TO discharge and surely
it did not become them to arouse fears and
prejudices outside of the chemical results.
For some reason or other, Mr.. Grasselli pre-
fers the Ohio water, so that in thirteen lines
of remarks, in which he pretty effectually
mixes up "hard water" "fat acids" "un-
bearable nuisances," &C., he disposes of
subject that required pamphlet of thirty
pages from Professors Stewart and Buckler,
for like service for Baltimore; forty pages
from Professor Silliman, for Boston, and
about in this proportion for other cities.
1t is true these gentlemen discharged their
duties with great caution and care; they ap-
piled all the tests. First, Prof Stewart
apply the boiler scale test, then the lead test,
then the soap test, and then the quantitative
analysis. Mr.. Grasselli is satisfied, in his
examinations, of five samples, for the Coun-
Gil to find lime in each, and to guess at the
others. 1t is indeed quite remarkable re-
port No. shows 4.86 grains solid matter in
gallon, principally lime, with traces of
magnesia." The second, Sixteen grain,
principally lime" and traces again. Third
principally lime, traces" &c. Fourth
principally lime, traces" &c. Fifth-''mainLy
of lime, with traces" &c. I will ask analysts
ifthis is not an extraordinary report in view
of the fact, that upon this dd cdptdndum and
superficial as it is, may turn the destiny of a
great city like Cincinnati, in regard to its
supply of water, for all future time; which
supply may exert an important influence
upon its success or failure. II is evidently
the design of Mr.. Grasselli to impress the
public mind, that the waters are to be Judged
by the quantity of solid matter contained in
them; and other parties connected with
these reports, and ioho know better, adroitly
aid in conveying this impression. Now, the
public credulity must not be so abused; this
false issue must be dispelled, and will try
and make Mr.. Grasselli do it,
Mr.. G. has snalized three samples of Ohio
water for the city, one gallon each. The
first contained 2.54 grains, the second 486
grains, the third s.48 grains. These three
samples have all less solid matter in them
| than either of the Miami or Mad River
waters. Ergo, they are purest. Now sup
pose Mr.. q. had sample of Ohio water as it
| flowed in the river in March last how many
| grains of fsolid matter would that have shown2
| settled tumbier of it out of curiosity for
forty hours, and it showed quarter of an
inch of plum mud, how many grains would
this have made in a gallon, and how COM
| pared with the Miami water then2 And
| what is the proportion of mud in the Mis-
sissippi Rire-, that the people do drink and
| wash tEeir clothes in, for thousands of miles
| aloDgit its banks? / have no chemical apparatus
to test it, but l appeal to those who have
used these waters at this maximum flow, if
am wrong in asserting that, at that stage,
at least one-twentieth the part is solid earth.
| Now, the gallon contains 5S.372.2 grains.
This divided by twenty, gives 1881 grains
of impurities to the gallon. Can Mr.. Gras-
| sellis theory stand this 2 And yet, it is
| what he himself shows.
But there is no use In pursuing these pre-
| posterous absurdities further-true science
has settled this whole question. All parti-
cles held in solution-and that, according to
| Webster, 'is true chemical censor"-will
remain there; while all particles held in sus-
| pension will either rise or precipitate.
Brande, the eminent London chemist, and
who Mr.. Grasselli will doubtless acknowledge
as the standard authority, says: solution is
feeble combination, in which, with a mere
mechanical change of properties, and with
out regard to definite proportions, one or
more solids are equally dinused throughout
j of hina Is
SO weak that the liquid may be evapSrated
from the solid or Solids leaving them un-
| changed except in texture or aggregation.
| There is usually, and probably always, a
limit to the quantity of the solid or solids
which can be dissolved by a given liquid.
When solid disappears in liquid, if the
compound exhibits perfect transparency, we
have an example of solution; thus common
salt disappears in water-that is, its solution
takes place, and the liquid obtained is called
a solution of salt and water. Solution is the
result of attraction and affinity between the
fluid and the solid. This affinity continues
to operate to a certain point, when it is over
balanced by the cohesion of the solid; it then
ceases; beyond this it is a mixture-a mere
mechanical union ofthe bodies"
| Thus expounded, where is Mr. Grasselli's
theory2 r.l
But this is wholly outside of our PROPOSE
ton to the city; why the subject is forced
upon us, under this aspect by the Council,
| Can not understand. Ny suggestion was to
supply the city with rain water. close
now, promising TO resume soon, by offering
the following dicta from the eminent author
last quoted: "Water in its ordinary state,
such as spring and river water, is always so
far contaminated with foreign substances as
to be unit for many chemical purposes, and
| even for domestic use. Rain a0GteT is much
more pure, but it always contains a portion
| of carbonic acid and of the elements Of atmo-
spheric air, besides appreciable traces of veg
etable or animal matter; TO the latter it owes
its property of becoming putrid when kept"
SAM. H. GO0DIN.