This section is from the book "Beverages And Their Adulteration Origin, Composition, Manufacture, Natural, Artificial, Fermented, Distilled, Alkaloidal And Fruit Juices", by Harvey W. Wiley. Also available from Amazon: Beverages And Their Adulteration.
These are mineral waters in which the sulphates of aluminum, either as such or in combination with other bases, exist. These waters are extremely styptic in character and have the characteristic taste and effect of weak solutions of alum. This whole class of mineral waters can only be regarded in the light of remedial agents rather than that of beverages.
 
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