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.
This is a form of mineral water in which there is dissolved a large quantity of sulphate of lime, which when it exists in a certain form of crystallization, is known as gypsum. These waters have a peculiar, bitter unpleasant taste, and while used largely in some localities as a beverage they cannot be regarded as wholesome when intended for constant use.
 
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