CHALYBEATE (ka-lib'e-At) WATERS (from Lat. ehalybs, Gk. xatap, chalyps, from Xeii.eftee, (halybes, iron-workers in Asia Minor). Natural mineral waters that contain considerable amounts of iron in solution. The carbonate is generally held in solution by an excess of car bonic acid, and is precipitated as soon as the latter has escaped into the air. This accounts for the characteristic deposits of ochre or ferric oxide on the surface of stones near the mouth of chalybeate-water springs. Chalybeate spring may be subdivided into carbonated ehalybcate for carbonated ferruginous) and sulphated chaly beate. Examples of the former are Islington spa. Oddy's Saline Water, and Tunbridge Wells, England; and Bailey Springs, Alabama, and Fawley Springs, Virginia, in the United States. An excess of carbonic acid communicates to the water a sparkling aspect and a pleasant acidu lous taste. Of such a character are the mineral springs at Pyrmont in Germany. and they arc
called carbonated chalybeate or carbonated fer ruginous. The sulphated ehalybeate waters con tain ferrous sulphate dissolved in them, and of this character are the Sand Rock Spring on the Isle of Wight, and the Springs at Moffat and Vicarshridge in England. and the Rockbridge Alum Springs, Virginia. and the Texas Sour Springs, in the United States. Chalybeate waters have a more or less astringent or styptic taste, and show a purplish black tint when mixed with some varieties of wine, owing to the tannin pres ent. A pale blue color is produced when a few drops of potassium ferrocyanide are added. Chalybeate waters are frequently prescribed in eases of debility, and as the carbonated varieties are lighter on the stomach. they are generally preferred. The chalybeate waters should ho avoided in plethoric, febrile. and inflammatory conditions of the system. See CARBONATED OR