_The Action of Water on the Digestion._—Very little water is absorbed from the stomach; it passes from the stomach to the intestines, where it is absorbed. In order to obtain a thorough cleansing of the stomach, and at the same time not to cause its overdistention, not less than ½ pint of water and not more than 1½ pints should be taken at one time. The water must be taken one hour before meals, in order to insure its removal from the stomach and the proper rest of that organ before food enters it, as it has been found by actual experiment that in a quarter of an hour after water had been taken one-half of the quantity remained in the stomach, but that none remained after the lapse of half an hour. Cold water is more quickly absorbed than warm, and the absorption is hastened by the presence of carbonic acid, while salt of any kind delays its absorption. _The Therapeutic Indications for the Use of Water._—First, the temperature of the water taken must be regulated by the effect desired. Briefly stated, if the water is taken for dyspepsia in any form, whether acute or chronic catarrhal inflammation of the stomach or the intestinal canal, ½ pint of water, just as hot as it can be sipped with a spoon, should be taken three times a day, one hour before each meal. No water should be taken during the meal, and only one glass, at a temperature of about 60° F., on its completion. If the water is taken as a diuretic, or, in other words, to increase the activity of the kidneys, the most of the water should be taken in the morning on rising and the remainder about 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Probably the best natural waters for this purpose are the waters of the Vosges, France. The Vittel water, “Grande Source,” acts on the kidneys alone; where the bowels are regular or inclined to be loose, this is the best water to use. If, on the contrary, there is constipation or biliousness, the “Source Salée” should be taken in connection with the first named or alone. The “Source Salée” has a decided action on the liver and is laxative. In order to obtain a pronounced effect, at least 3 pints of these waters should be taken daily; in some cases more is required. Two glasses may be taken on rising in the morning, with an interval of twenty minutes between; the last glass must be taken one hour before breakfast. The temperature of the water should be 50° F., which is the temperature of the water at the springs and that of the water when placed in bottles in the refrigerator against the ice. In the afternoon the other two glasses may be taken, with the same interval between.