Schmalz,  ob  the  authority  of  the  deceaaed  Pro£  Schadfer,  that  in  Wnrtemburg  the  largest  propor*
don  of  deaf  mates,  ae  alto  of  cretins  and  ecrofiiioaa  persons,  is  found  in  fhoae  districts  where  the
water  is  strongly  tinctared  with  gypsom  and  other  earthly  salta,  and  a  much  smaller  propoition  in
these  districts  where  only  carbonate  of  lime,  and  that  in  small  qnanity,  Is  foond  in  the  waters.  It
•eems  to  be  the  prerailing  opinion  that  the  diaracter  of  the  potable  waters  of  a  district  is  one  of  the
most  actire  causes  of  goitre  and  cretinism ;  and  it  is  easy  to  understand  that  the  same  causes  that
operate  on  the  derelopaent  and  funetloBs  of  the  brain  and  nerrous  aystam  generally!  may  opsiaia
on  tliatpart  of  those  organs  on  which  the  sense  of  hearing  depends.  But  whether  Uiese  effeeti  are
to  be  ascribed  to  sulphuric,  magneslan,  or  other  salu  held  in  solution  in  the  water,  the  data  we  hate
do  not  enable  us  to  form  an  opinion.  This  point  is  recommended  to  the  attention  of  our  scientific
men.  It  is  stated  that  in  certain  Tillages  of  Hindostan,  the  lower  castes  of  the  inhabitants  are  obliged
to  drink  the  incrusted  water  of  local  springs  of  bad  quality,  and  are  all  afflicted  with  goitres ;  from
which  the  Brahmins,  using  the  water  of  an  aqueduct  made  at  great  expense,  are  exempt.  The  Raj-
poots formerly  shared  this  exemption,  but  the  raragea  of  war  haring  prerented  the  keeping  the  aqne*
duet  in  repair,  it  no  longer  suffices  both  for  the  Brahmins  and  Rijpoots ;  and  the  latter,  compelled  to
drink  the  local  water,  are  beginning  to  be  eztensiydy  afflicted  wiOi  goitres.  Goitres,  in  Switaerland,
are  rery  often  indieatiTe  of  a  tendency  to  cretfnism,  or  to  deaf-dumbnees,  or  to  both.
