The record-union., 1898-07-05
OF WATER DRINKING.

drinking. AS the flOL StdSOh ID INV oiA,
when there is more of water drinking,
its advice is timely, assuming it to be
sound. Slipping water is a powerful
stirnulant to circulation. During sip
ping the action of the nerve which
slows the beating of the heart is sus-
pended, and, as a result, the organ con-
tracts more rapidly and the pulse in
creases with augmented circulation in
the various parts of the body, of course.
In addition, the pressure under which
the bile secreted is raised by slipping
fluids, a fact which is considered Of
much Importance. For the reasons
stated, the partial paralysis Of the in
hdbitory nerve referred to, liquors
slipped "go to the head" more speedily
than when taken at draught.
But there are two effects from. swal-
lowing not produced by slipping or suck
ing the beverage through a tube or
straw. besides the non-stimulating eff
feet, namely: If a pint of cold water
is swallowed straight away the temper
allure of the body is lowered. about one
degree. and the pulse rate is somewhat
decreased, while the respirations are
slightly accelerated At first the blood
vessels of the lining of the stomach are
contracted, but soon dilate, the blood
flow to them is increased and the Sc
erection of gastric juice is stimulated.
ma ny Ia find aff hot
ter produced by warm water. This
acts precisely as does the cold, we are
assured, but without the previous con-
traction, the vessels of the stomach be-
ing at once dilated.
While the taking of large quantities
Of liquids at meals is bad, small guam
titles may be taken without harm. IF
the meal is rich in fatty matter it is
q good plan to drink some time after
the meal, because digestion of the fat
in the intestines is thus aided. Water
has purgative effects because of the
stimulation of bile secretion. referred to,
tion Of the intestines, bile being natu-
raj purgative, and increased peristal-
sis being an enemy of constipation and
sluggish bowel action. Plain water is
most purgative when cold. but natu-
raj mineral waters. if taken, should
be mixed with a. little warm water to
produce a temperature equal to that Of
the stomach. Warm water is more
readily absorbed than cold, and mod
crate quantities more readily than large
ones.
The best time, we are told, to obtain
purgaGve action by water drinking IS
on rising in the morning, but the water
should be slipped while dressing, not
taken at a straight draught. This sip
ping operation should be gone through
with slowly at short intervals, and not
hurriedly. The free drinking Of water
usually produces marked effects upon
the kidneys and tissues Of the body;
thus 1t is found that the action result
ing IS generally-where the secretion is
free-that Of clearing the body Of effete
substances, and it effects other changes
generally. which contribute to en-
hanced health and comfort Of the BODY
But the last number of the magazine,
Modern Medical Science" in COM
menting upon this subject, insists that
the water should be filtered, pure and
free from organic and also mineral in
gradients. Health" goes on to say
that much harmful material. which
has often to answer for malaise.
want Of energy and various aches and
pains, is undoubtedly washed out of
the tissues and excreted by the kidneys
as the result of free drinking of nure
water. This is. therefore, decidedly
beneficial.
But IN addition, the much drinking
OF pure water causes changes in the
tissues, with the result that vitality is
increased and strength augmented So
great in this direction are the effects of
water, that persons leading sedentary
lives may often obtain by drinking
plenty OF pure water much of the feel
ing OF health and exhilaration which re-
suit from taking exercise, a fact NOT
difficult to believe when 1t is recalled
that a glass of cool water. SLOWLY
slipped. produces greater acceleration
OF pulse for a time than will a glass
OF wine or spirits taken at a draught
It is added that the slipping of cold
water viii often allay the craving for
alcohol among those who are strug-
gling to reform their habits Health"
says nothing in this article about the
effects of drinking large draughts OF
ice water. We assume that ii takes II
for granted that sensible people know
the evil effects of such practice: in
deed, the imminent danger 1t involves
Nor Is there any reference to kinds of
water to be used, except that it is as
sumed all along that we are to use
only water free from. contamination
that is cleansed of organic matter and
harmful mineral ingredients.
There is very considerable body Of
people known as the "Ralstonians. :,
who insist that after the age OF. 40 peo-
pie should drink only distilled water.
because undistilled water contains