The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-07-29
WATER.


this country is threatened with another
epidemic of Asiatc cholera and the farther
fact that much can be done, by proper
observance of sanitary laws, to palleate, or
perhaps avoid the dreaded disease. | have
thought proper to say something on the
subject OF impure water, as one Of the main
features of disease.
The solvent powers of water exceeds
those of any other liquid known and it has
an extensive range Of atfinites. Hence it
IS almost impossible to secure natural wa
Ter Tree from impurities. And why2 Almost
every substance in nature enters into solu-
ton in water. If water meets in its pas
sage over or through the earth, magnecium,
platinum, aluminium, iron, arsenic or other
metallic elements, it dissoves a part Of
them, and they are diffused through the
water as impurities. A like result follows
II water meets in its passage through the
air, as inshowers ofrain, floating PARTICLES of
dust, and various gases; they are absorbed
AMI are diffused through it as impurities.
1t will he readily understood what an
important part water plays in our very ex.
lstence, when we remember that rs pr. C. of
our whole body is constituted of the Gle,
meats OF water; that not less then 05 Or. c. of
our healthy blood, and not less then so pr.
c. Of our food are also water.
Psychologists are familiar with the fact
that water is directly and indirectly the
agency that dissolves our food, and is the
vehicle by which the appropriate parts are
transmitted in the body, conveying to the
bones sulphur lime, to the muscles, fbrn &c.
The amount of water in the system is
constantly being reduced by the secretions
and perspiration, when the stomach is in
healthy condition, nature calls for water in
just the required amount through the sen.
sation of thirst. The water drank enters
the general circulation very rapidly, and is
az once conveyed into the blood by absorb.
ton. If the water is good it assists ma.
ture by regulating the digestive fluids, and
repairs the losses by perspiratlon, the secret
ing and exhaling organs, If impure, il as
rapidly carries into the system the germs
OF disease, and while satisfying some Of the
demands of the system, it almost inevits.
bly, deranges the blood ana produces dis
ease.
1t does not appear to have been ordained
III the economy of nature, however, that
chemically pure water is preferable for man.
The pureest natural waters found upon the
Garth, are usually those that have come
down in natural streams from granite hills.
A gallon of water weighs nearly 10000
grs. The best potable waters have from
one to eight grains, in gallon, of certain
impurities diffused through them. These
Impurities are derived from too sources !;
they are from mineral, the other, directly or
indirectly from living organisms. The first
are termed mineral impurities, and the
other organic impurities.
The mineral and metallic combinations in
water are generally considered TO be medi-
cine 1t is the organic impurities which
indicate combinations likely to be harm.
fu! to the human constitution, especially if
such impurities are the products of animal
decomposition held 10 solution in the water.
Regarding atmospheric impurities which
offer to falling rain ever-present sources of
contamination, there arise from constant
disintegration of mineral and organic mat.
tiers and their dissemination in the atmos.
phere. The air is burdened with mass of
particles, pulverized to transparency. The
general atmosphere is constantly being
contaminated by the respirstions of all ami
mated beings, the products of combustion
in furnaces and dwellings, and the decay.
ing dead animals and vegetables, contnu.
ally evolving in the air poisonous gasses.
These are all soluble in water and the
mists and showers absorb them freely.
The facts just cited, which are only
very few of the facts that might be men.
toned in reference to the causes that rem
der water impure and acknowledgements us
in urgently advising, that our citizens filter
all the water used tor drinking purposes.
. II.