This is water that has been vaporized by heat and re-condensed by being cooled. In this process the mineral matters that are suspended or dissolved in the water and the vegetable and other organic matters that are suspended therein, are left behind, so that the water is rendered practically pure. The hardest and foulest of waters may be rendered practically pure by distillation. Certain noxious gases contained in water falling in the cities are not lost upon distillation. For this reason, it is best to use other water for distillation.

Nature is ceaselessly engaged in distilling water. Were this process not in ceaseless and eternal operation, the water of the earth would become so contaminated and foul as to be unfit for use. In spite of this, all natural water is more or less impure. Some of it is very impure. Hard waters are full of dissolved and suspended mineral matters. Surface waters are full of earthy matters and organic matters. Even fresh rain water contains gases and dust picked up in falling. Distillation provides us with the purest water obtainable.

Distilled and aerated, distilled water has the taste of freshly fallen rain water. It is soft water, for it has lost its minerals. It contains so few impurities that it constitutes the best drinking water obtainable.

Objections are frequently offered to the use of distilled water. Distilled water is said to be "unnatural." It is as unnatural as the purest rain water. It is said to be dead. There is no such thing as live water. All water is lifeless. It is said that the body needs the minerals dissolved in the water. That the body needs minerals is certain, but it needs them, as previously shown, in the form of organic salts and derives these from foods. It is objected that the use of distilled water causes decay of the teeth and softening of the bones. This objection has no foundation. Observations will quickly reveal that decay of the teeth is very common in people who are habitually using hard waters. It is objected that the affinity of distilled water for minerals causes it to take up the minerals from foods so that the body derives no benefit from these. This objection is a peculiar perversion of physiology. One of the functions of water in the body is to take up these very minerals and take them to the cells and tissues. How absurd, to object to the use of distilled water because it serves this very function better than does contaminated water!