Soda-Water

(Chem.) A well-known beverage, which, as usually prepared, is a supersaturated solution of carbonic acid gas in water. Soda-water, properly so called, consists of one, two, or three drachms of carbonate of soda, di olved in a pint of water highly impregnated with carbonic acid. This is often a valuable remedy; but it would sometimes be attended by mischievous results, if indulged in to the extent which some persons pursue the use of soda-water. The mere aqueous solution of carbonic acid, which is made by forcing the gas into water by a condensing-pump, and under a pre ure of six or eight atmospheres, is an agreeable and, generally speaking, harmle diluent. [s. 836]