Prev | Current Page 127 | Next

Various

"Scientific American Supplement, No. 497, July 11, 1885"

666
" bromide 0.029
" sulphate 2.296
Calcium " 1.406
" carbonate 0.033
Iodine and ammoniacal salts traces
Water 964.795
________
1000.000
The chlorides in the--
Irish Sea are about 30 per mille.
English Channel are about 31 "
Beyond the Eddystone are 32 "
As the requirement for a potable sea water does not arise except in
mid-ocean, the proportion of 32 per mille must be taken as the basis of
calculation.
This represents as near 20 per mille of chlorine as possible.
From the analysis shown it will be perceived that the chlorides of
sodium and magnesium are in great preponderance.
It is to the former of these that the baneful effects of sea water when
drunk are to be ascribed, for chloride of sodium or common salt produces
thirst probably by its styptic action on the salivary glands, and scurvy
by its deleterious action on the blood when taken in excess.
Sodium chloride being the principal noxious element in sea water, and
soda in combination with a vegetable or organic acid, such as citric
acid, tartaric acid, or malic acid, being innocuous, the conclusion is
that the element of evil to be avoided is _chlorine_.


Pages:
115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139