Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1901-09-12
PURE WATER DANGERoUS7
some Interesting observation. Upon
the subject from Those Who
Have Made NJ n study,

Have Made IL a study.
Water is the natural drink OF man
kind. No other liquid quenches thirst
so well as a glass Of good water. But
II this liquid is contaminated IL may
be most noXious drink. SAYS the Eu.
ropean edition Of the New York Her.
aid.
Absolutely pure water Is found
nowhere in nature. When water falls
from the skies It may be contaminat-
ed by the dust and the micro-organ-
isms in the air. As a rule, this is
what happens in All large towns. II
may happen in the country, ais o,
though there, after n long rain, the
air is, so 20 speak, washed, when the
rain water becomes relatively pure.
Rain water is always soft and un-
mired with any mineral matter,
whereas water from wells and
springs always contains more or less
mineral matter Of various species.
Carbonate of lime is the most com
mon. Other matter is found in vary
Ing quantities, according TO the char
acter Of the soil. Water containing
mineral matter is called hard water.
The degree Of hardness depends on
the quantity of matter contained in
the water.
Hygienists have speculated as 20
whether hard water may be harmful
20 health. The majority affirm that
n low degree OF hardness is prefer
able 10 softness, particularly the
hardness due to carbonate of lime
This salt is also found in grain and
in milk.
American hvgienists, on the other
hand, maintain that soft water is far
preferable 10 hard water. Numerous
observations seem 20 confirm this as
sertion. For instance, before Croton
water was distributed in New York
very hard well water was used, and it
must be noted that since the intro
duction Of croton water diseases Of
the urinary passages have greatly d.
minished.
The discovery OF micro-organism
or bacteria has revealed the existence
OF new enemies TO be combated.
Against these several hygienists have
recommended the employment Of dis
titled water. It's use is very wide
spread. especially where the natural
water is absolutely impure. The fear
of these minute enemies Is greater
than the fear OF hard water, fear
well founded.
The majority OF scientists declare
that distilled water is an idea, water.
both soft and free from bacteria. But
n discordant voice has suddenly re-
sounded in this concert of praise. IL
is that of Herr Koeppe, n German,
who has just condemned distilled
water rs n poison. 1t is true that
the dissolving power of distilled
water is much greater than that of
ordinary water, but in dealing with
this fact IL may be pointed out that
during the act Of drinking the water
does not come in contact with proto-
plasmic cells. unless IL be in the /
mouth or throat. In the stomach the |
gastric juice. and the dissolving prin-
ciple Of the water attacks these.
The objection is therefore unfounded.
Moreover, il has always been OBJ
served that in countries where only
cistern water. e., rain water-is |
drunk this water has never done to
those who drink IL the same harm
which they would have suffered from
drinking the hard or stagnant water
they would otherwise have been
obliged 10 drink. The same observa-
ton has been made in regard 10 navy
men, who drink distilled water only. |
Pure water, consequently, is not
dangerous, and for the present the
nnathema launched against distilled
water should be regarded as n bug
bear which ought 10 brighten nobody. !