Water, or any watery beverage, being received into the stomach, many thousand vessels open their mouths upon the walls of that organ, and imbibe the contained liquid, in virtue of a vital action which they possess. The liquid is soon sucked up, and is carried by the veins and the absorbent vessels into the general circulation, there to be mixed and incorporated with the mass of blood. It has been popularly thought, that there exists a direct communication between the stomach and the kidneys, by which the contents of the former are conveyed to the latter organs; and that supposition probably arose from the fact, that the kidneys have an immediate increase of duty after copious drinking; and that fluids having a peculiar and strong odour have been detected, discharged, very soon after their reception into the stomach. However, there is no direct communication between these organs, and all liquids which are taken into the stomach must be passed through the general circulation before they can reach the kidneys; and thus it is worthy to be observed, that liquids which are possessed of deleterious properties, have an ample field for their operation. It is rare that any bad effects follow the use of moderately cold water in a state of purity, and any instances in which injury has followed, may, with perfect propriety, be regarded as depending on accidental circumstances. It sometimes happens, that water free of impurities, cannot be obtained, and that, what is highly impure is taken into the stomach. Many nations are occasionally subject to the privation of pure water, and are compelled to have recourse to the tainted waters of sluggish rivers, of almost stagnant rivulets, and putrefying lakes; and the consequence is, that their health suffers, and that the invasion of disease is much promoted. The inhabitants of Switzerland, and of several other countries, are supplied on some occasions, with no other water than that which is obtained from snow, and the prevalence of goitre among the Swiss, has been attributed by some physicians to that circumstance. But man is not satisfied with this excellent beverage—water—which is ever at hand, and to be obtained without a price. While yet little advanced in the knowledge of the arts, man discovered that the various juices with which the various fruits of the earth abound, afforded, during fermentation, a liquor which possessed properties such as strongly recommended it to his use. These juices, after fermentation, prove exhilarating and intoxicating, and all the nations of the world have their respective wines or intoxicating beverages. This liquor, which is the product of fermentation, gives to these juices their peculiar character. It is called spirits of wine, is colourless, and is lighter than water.