e all right. This
is especially seen in nourishing infants (_see_ Infants' Food). Food,
then, will not act as water does, nor will water act as food. Even a
little sugar mixed with the hot water completely alters its effect on
the body. As it has already dissolved the sugar, it cannot dissolve
what is needed to be removed from the body. Sugar and water is not a
_bad_ mixture, but it will by no means do instead of pure water in the
cases we contemplate. On the other hand, a mixture of alcohol with the
water is ruinous, and that just in proportion to the quantity of
alcohol, small or great. Beer, for example, can never do what is
required of water, nor can wine, or any other alcoholic drink. Tea
added to the water also alters its quality. The water _alone_, and as
nearly perfect in purity as it can be got, is the only thing which will
do the necessary work.

Sometimes one finds a great prejudice against hot water. You see one
who is miserable through derangement of the stomach and digestive
organs, and you mention "hot water." The very phrase is sufficient to
put an expression of strong prejudice on the face. Yet that very hot
water is perhaps the only thing that will cure the patient. If you wait
a little, there will be an opening to explain that hot water is very
different to tepid water. Under blood heat, and yet heated, water tends
to produce vomiting; above blood heat, nothing will so well set the
stomach right. This is true, however, only when the water is taken in
very small quantities. You must see that the water is not smoked in the
heating or otherwise spoiled. And also that it be not too hot. If it
scalds the lips it is too hot. When it is comfortably warm, but not
tepid, it does its work most effectively.

Water for Drinking.--Every care should be taken to have drinking water
absolutely pure. Diarrhoea and many infectious diseases may be conveyed
by impure water. In gouty cases as much water should be taken as
possible (provided the heart is sufficiently strong) in order to wash
away the waste matter. The same applies to fevers. If there is a
suspicion of water being contaminated mere filtration should never be
relied on, the water should be boiled.

After many of the treatments given by us in this book, considerable
thirst will be experienced. Cold water in such cases may always be
given. In fact, in any internal congested condition cold water will
stimulate the nerves of these organs, and make them act