IS PURE WATER DANGEROUS?

IS PURE WATER DANGEROUS?

Absolutely pure water is found nowhere in nature. When water falls from the skies it may be contaminated by the dust and the micro-organisms in the air. As a rule, this is what happens in the country, also, though there, after a long rain, the air is, so to speak, washed, when the rain water becomes relatively pure. Rain water is always soft and unmixed 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 commou. Other matter is found in varying quantities, according to the character of the soli Water containing mineral matter is called hard water. The degree of hardness depends on the quantity of matter contained in the water (says the New York Herald).

Hygienists have speculated as to whether hard water may be harmful to health. The majority affirm that a low degree of hardness is preferable to softness, particularly the hardness due to carbonate of lime This salt is also found in grain and in milk. American hygienists, on the other hand, maintain that soft, water is fur preferable to hard water. Numerous observations seem to confirm this assertion. For instance, before Croton water was distributed in New York very hard well water was used, and it must be noted that since the introduction of Croton water diseases of the urinary passages have greatly diminished.