Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1881 — “Soda Water.” [ARTICLE]

“Soda Water.”

The beverage popularly known as soda water is so named because it was formerly made of bicarbonate of soda or baking-soda ; and, in the East, bicarbonate of soda is still largely employed; the manufacturers claiming that no cheaper ingredient can be furnished that can so well serve their purpose. It is said the basis of all fermented beverages now manufactured is mostly made from sulphuric acid and ground limestone, and not “marble-dust,” as is generally supposed. It is ground to the consistency of flour in a powerful steam mill and passed through a sieve; the finer it is ground the greater the quantity of gas that will be produced. By the time it is well screened it is almost pure carbonate of lime, and is then poured into an air-tight metallic vessel, denominated a generator, and saturated with sulphuric acid. By the union of gas and lime the sulphate of gypsum is formed, and the carbonic gas is eliminated. Afterward the sulphate of gypsum is blown out of the generator, the gas is passed through the pipes to another vessel, when it is passed through the water, for the purpos.e of freeing it of the presence of oil of vitriol or any other noxious gas. From the gasometer the gas is passed into portable fountains, containing filtered water; for it is known that water at a low temperature will absorb its own volume of carbonic acid gas, and the colder the water the more gas it will absorb. This is the reason why portable fountains are always kept in cool cellars. — Grocer’s Bulletin. Mr. E. Purcell, No. 11 Ann street, New York, used St. Jacobs Oil for rheumatism with entire relief—writes a New York journal.—Richmond ( Va .) Christian Advocate.