SEA-Water, that briny bitterish fluid which constitutes the sea.
The saltiness of this water is very rationally judged to arise from great multitudes both of mines and mountains of salt, dispersed here and there
in the depths of the sea. Dr Halley supposes that it is probable the greatest part of the sea-salt and of all salt lakes, as the Caspian Sea, the Dead Sea, the Lake of Mexico, and the Titicaca in Peru, is derived from the water of the rivers which they receive: and since this sort of lakes has no exit or discharge but by the exhalation of vapours; and also since these vapours are entirely fresh, or devoid of such particles; it is certain the saltiness of the sea and such lakes must from time to time increase, and therefore the saltiness at this time is greater than at any time heretofore. He further adds, that if, by experiments made in different ages, we could find the different quantity of salt which the same quantity of water (taken up in the same place, and in all other the same circumstances) would afford, it would be easy from thence, by rules of proportion, to find the age of the world very nearly, or the time wherein it has been acquiring its present saltiness.
With regard to the use of this salt property of sea-water, it is observed, that the saltiness of the sea preserves its waters pure and sweet, which otherwise would corrupt and stink like a filthy lake, and consequently that none of the myriads of creatures which now live therein could then have a being. From thence also the sea-water becomes much heavier, and therefore ships of greater size and quantity may be used thereon. Salt water also doth not freeze so soon as fresh water, whence the seas are more free for navigation. We have a dissertation, by Dr Ruffel, concerning the medical uses of sea-water in diseases of the glands, &c. wherein the author premises some observations upon the nature of sea-water, considered as impregnated with particles of all the bodies it passes over, such as submarine plants, fish, salts, minerals, &c. and saturated with their several effluvia, to enrich it, and keep it from putrefaction: whence this fluid is supposed to contract a soapiness; and the whole collection, being pervaded by the sulphureous steams passing through it, to constitute what we call sea-water, the confessed distinguishing characteristics of which are saltiness, bitterness, nitrosity, and unctuousity: whence the author concludes, that it may be justly expected to contribute signally to the improvement of physic. The cases in which our author informs us we are to expect advantage from sea-water, are, 1. In all recent obstructions of the glands of the intestines and mesentery. 2. All recent obstructions of the pulmonary glands, and those of the viscera, which frequently produce consumptions. 3. All recent glandular swellings of the neck, or other parts. 4. Recent tumours of the joints, if they are not suppurationed, or become scirrhus or cancerous, and have not carious bones for their cause. 5. Recent desultations upon the glands of the eye-lids. 6. All desultations of the skin, from an erysipelas to a lepra. 7. Diseases of the glands of the nose, with their usual companion a thickness of the lip. 8. Obstructions of the kidneys, where there is no inflammation, and the stone not large. 9. In recent obstructions of the liver, this method will be proper, where it prevents constipations of the belly, and assists other medicines directed in icteric cases. The same remedy is said to be of signal service in the bronchocele; and is likewise recommended for the
prevention of those bilious colics that so frequently affect our mariners.