CHAP. 34.—HOW ARTIFICIAL SEA-WATER MAY BE MADE IN PLACES
AT A DISTANCE FROM THE SEA.
I am by no means unaware that these details may very
possibly appear superfluous to persons who live at a distance
from the sea; but scientific research has made provision against
this objection, by discovering a method of enabling every one
to make sea-water [Note] for himself. It is a singular fact in connexion with this discovery, that if more than one sextarius of
salt is put into four sextarii of water, the liquefying properties of the water will be overpowered, and the salt will no
longer melt. On the other hand, again, a mixture of one sextarius of salt with four sextarii of water, acts as a good substitute for the efficacy and properties of the very saltest sea-water.
The most reasonable proportion, however, is generally thought
to be eight cyathi of salt, diluted in the quantity of water
above mentioned; a preparation which has been found to
have a warming effect upon the sinews, without in any degree
chafing the body.